If you have read the last couple of blogs, you will know I have been down in Leigh-on-Sea having a photoshoot for Le Keux Essex and a bit of a jolly too, as I had never been there before. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

Pose!

I had stayed over at a stunning apartment in Southend belonging to Amanda which you can read all about here and now I had a whole day free to explore Southend and its environs.

What a beautiful sight

The bed in the apartment was easily the most comfortable bed I had EVER slept in, in my life. I literally didn’t want to leave it and I certainly didn’t want to have to check out at all.

My dream bed!

Sadly I had to vacate by 1100 and so I put all my belongings in the car and decided to head further down towards the main sea front which was a five minute drive away.

I found a car park a stone’s throw from the sea and paid to park for a few hours. I took my walking stick as my knee was a little problematic and set out.

A bit grey out

The only problem was the fact that there were gale force winds!

I literally struggled to take a step ahead. My dress was flying about and I was worried that the whole of Southend Sea Front would be seeing my foo-foo!

All changed

After the second gust of wind had my bottom on show, I decided that whilst my outfit looked great, it just wasn’t practical to wear on such a blustery day. So I walked back to the car and changed into my wide leg trousers, cami top and long kimono.

Take two.

I started back down the promenade fighting against the wind. I really wanted to get a chance to have a proper look around and have some seaside food too.

Beautiful Vintage Buildings

First on the agenda was the longest Pleasure Pier in the World at 1.33 miles long. Well it would be silly not to go and have a good look at it.

That’s a blooming long pier!

However, with the winds AND the dodgy knee, I didn’t really fancy walking the length and back. Thankfully you can go on an old fashioned train which took about 6 minutes from Shore to the end of the Pier.

On the Sir John Betjeman

A return ticket only costs £5.50 which I thought was great value. The trains run every 30 minutes and luckily one was just pulling in.

View from the train

The Sir John Betjeman merrily took me to the end of the pier where I had a good mooch around before heading into the cafe which is used for Jimmy and Jamies Friday Night Feast show.

The Cafe where filming takes places

I had a lovely latte and a slice of coffee and walnut cake which was fantastic. It was also pretty nice to get out of the winds for awhile as I was feeling a little battered by it!

Fabulous Cake

Eventually it was time for the train ride back down the pier. The wind had kicked up even more and the journey was a little hair-raising, but I certainly wasn’t walking back down.

View from the Pier

Arriving back on solid ground I decided it was time to walk the promenade before having a spot of seafood. A huge prawn cocktail was the option for me and I have to say it was bloomin’ lovely.

Whoohoo!

Time was ticking on and I knew I didn’t have that much time left before I started back on the long journey home. I wanted to get a dodgy magnet to put on the wall in my office where I keep a collection of all the places I have visited in the past 6 years since I started my blog.

The sun has got his hat on…

I like to get either the tackiest or most unusual magnet possible. There was one which was an articulated shrimp with huge antenna and Southend written on the bottom of the tail.

Cake time

Absolutely perfect!

I went in my bag before one final wander about. Of course, no trip to the seaside is complete without hot sugary donuts. I ordered a portion and watched as they made them fresh in front of my face.

Stunning surroundings

Wonderful indeed.

Yummy

I finished my donuts and then it was time to head back to the car for the ride home. I have to admit I was a little windswept, sandblasted and possibly a bit sunburnt, but I had loved Southend and would happily love to come back again.

How glorious?

Especially if I get to stay in Amandas wonderful flat!

All the fun of the fair

Till next time,

SPSG xxx