Day Tripper

2009.10.09

The sad remains on Brighton's West Pier

Brighton's other Pier with the supports of the West Pier in the foreground

The tide was coming in quickly, creating lovely patterns in the sand

Architectural patterns at the Grand Hotel

I found this old boat on the beach near the fishermens' kiosks. I gave it the HDR treatment but slightly desaturated it to enhance its weathered look

I can't resist textures like these...

...or patterns like these!

I decided to treat myself to a day trip to Brighton today for a spot of photography (armed with only my ‘nifty fifty’ lens) and retail therapy. Rain was predicted from lunchtime so as soon as my train pulled in I walked down to the beach to make the most of what light there was. I headed first of all for the West Pier, or rather what’s left of it. The West Pier was built in 1866 and closed in 1975. In 1998 the Pier was awarded a lottery grant to restore it to its former glory but sadly in 2003 and 2004, before work could be started, the structure suffered a collapse, an arson attack and a freak storm which left it in its current sad state.

After I’d finished shooting the West Pier I strolled past the Grand Hotel. I like the patterns created by the ironwork and masonry on the front face of the hotel so I dodged the traffic in the nearby cycle lane to capture this. Ironically, it’s almost 25 years to the day since this imposing building was almost destroyed by an IRA bomb during the Conservative Party annual conference – the anniversary will be on the 12th October. You would certainly never know today that it once had the heart ripped out of it.

I then continued to Brighton’s other Pier which is still in fine form. I walked the entire length of the pier (1722 feet) and took a few shots as I strolled. By this stage the cloud was beginning to come in more thickly and I decided it was time to begin the other part of my day – some retail therapy!