Lets Linger in Llandudno

Glimpse through the buddleia bush where no butterflies lingered on this autumnal day is the seaside resort of Llandudno in Wales.

The seats on the promenade were empty under showery skies and as can be seen by the flag, it was a windy day.  The Victorians dubbed the promenade "The Parade" and I imagine there are lots of old postcards of the era showing people in their finery parading leisurely up and down.   

Anoraks were the apparel of choice on this day whether on The Parade or

on the beach. Llandudno was originally a small village of fisher-folk, farmers and copper miners but all that changed when the idea of turning it into a seaside resort was made and much of the centre of the town and front with its hotels was developed from 1857-1877.  No resort being complete without a pier this one arrived in 1878.

And by the side of the pier is the magnificent Grand Hotel with its view over the bay and the Little Orme.

Pier and Little Orme

 The pier is 2,295 ft (700m) long and from it you can not only see the bay and the Little Orme but also I believe, the mountains of Snowdonia, but not on this day for the entrance was locked.  I had to be content with

 taking a photograph of the outside and the

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empty slide, although by this point the rain had arrived so we headed for shelter

but on the way this building caught my eye. It was built at the end of Llandudno's twenty years of construction, (in 1875) and is known in the local lingo as Y Tabernacl but the building inscription is the 'Wesleyan Welsh Baptistery' and its unique feature inside is a "drainage" dressing room for baptismal candidates in the full immersion font.  The building nowadays is used as a heritage and exhibition centre.   I believe it was designed by the prolific chapel architect Richard Owen who it is said built up to 250  in his lifetime.  Time to head indoors;

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although a pub called "The London" is not something one would expect to see in Welsh speaking Wales but I suspect it may be because there is a direct train from London Euston to Llandudno which in the past, and still today, brings holidaymakers to the Welsh coast.

An entry to ABC Wednesday a journey through the alphabet sojourning this week at L

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.