Promenading on the Pleasure Pier

What time is it?  Its time to walk down the pier

or alternatively jump on the tram which is waiting to glide away. Those muffled up people show perhaps the reason  I'll leave this walk for another day when the sun is out

OK that is better

Well its gone 10 and this brings a new meaning to "early doors" 

and the start of our 1,216 yards (1112 m) stroll.  Southport Pier  it is the second longest in Britain but it is also the oldest iron pier although the railings seen here are modern.

The pier celebrated its 150th anniversary in August 2002 with free rides and music.

And now I have reached the end and "The Vortex" a 6 metre high stainless steel sculpture, the light reflects and distorts.  I imagine one can have great fun photographing this in all lighting conditions and then rest on the seating at the bottom. The globe at the top lights up at night although as we are on the west coast sunset would be another photo opportunity. The structure is designed by Craig and Mary Matthews of  Cammdesign

What no ice cream!  Guess we are too early, shame.  I will just have to gaze out

to sea, the tide is out, just a small channel left and in the distance is Blackpool pleasure beach

 just too far away to sweep down the big dipper.

I started with the grey day so I'll finish with it and, as the sign says,    "Thank you for Visiting Southport Pier". Now I can have that ice cream, the stall is just around the corner.

An entry to ABC Wednesday - a stroll through the alphabet.