33 Comments
User's avatar
Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

These are such lovely photos. We have a Promenade street here in Providence. I remember the licorice, although I’m much older, we had them as a child. How I love how you spoke of the “snooty women” looking down on the commoners. There weren’t many people at the sea like here at the beach. If you don’t go early to the ocean, then you’re stuck with slim pickens to find a good spot. You’re so right about no-one on that (pardon me I forgot what you called it) thing to ride around the sea, very spooky at this time of year. All and all,a wonderful story. By the

way, your mother lives in a beautiful area.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thank you, Jo-Ann. I shall Google ‘Providence’ and have a look.

Expand full comment
Jo-Ann Petrarca's avatar

Hello Dee and good afternoon. Sorry I’m a bit late for responding.

Expand full comment
una flanagan's avatar

wonderful way to start the day.......eavesdropping on your holiday! Thanks, Julie :)

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

It was just staying with my mum for a few days. ‘Holiday’ is a bit of a stretch 😂😉

Expand full comment
Gill T's avatar

Love your observations of things so many would miss.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thanks. I suppose we all have our own version of that, don’t we? What we’re paying attention to and what we allow it to become in our minds.

Expand full comment
Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I think the sea always calls me because we are from Southend. Loved this too Julie. Keep taking pictures and writing through them. It's very cathartic. ox

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thank you, Deborah. I am off briefly to Scotland again soon so hopefully I should have a few more 😊

Expand full comment
Madeline Waterer's avatar

I’m lucky enough to live 5 minutes from the sea in Kent but I’m ashamed to say in the end you don’t notice it anymore as you go about your daily routine and sometimes take it for granted.

It takes family and friends visiting to make you appreciate once again the beauty, the light and constantly changing seascape that you have on your doorstep.

A little secret..locals can’t wait for the holidaymakers and tourists to go home so we can have it to ourselves again. You can almost physically hear the huge sighs of relief in September when our “seaside” becomes calm once more.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Yes, even where I live gets touristy at weekends. I only go out there during the week. I get it.

Expand full comment
Iris Weston's avatar

That's very picturesque!

But why are there so few people on the beach?

Expand full comment
Suzanne Peters-Float's avatar

Thanks for these gorgeous images and observations Julie. For the last, almost 60 years, l have lived within walking distance of the sea. Now l have to rely on my husband for a 15 minute drive to get to a beach (which as it's the Atlantic ocean, is worth it!) I do find that hard and miss being able to go down to the sea alone, whenever I want. 🌊

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thank you Suzanne. Yes, I adore the ocean and I know it is where I shall end my days.

Expand full comment
Mike Knittel's avatar

Lovely piece and beautiful pics. I'd never even heard of Briglington until today. Nice introduction:)

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thank you. Small town really, near Scarborough (as in Scarborough Fair).

Expand full comment
Candy Kennedy's avatar

Enjoyed this read, Julie. especially: "This structure has a few cracks and crumbles, but is still standing, functioning, serving a purpose, holding up under pressure." I felt kinship with those words! Love the photos.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Indeed, Candy!

Expand full comment
Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

Thanks for taking us all of your trip. It was quite enjoyable.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Glad you liked it 😊

Expand full comment
Joseph Davis's avatar

Beautiful pics! Thank you for sharing them.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

I’m not a ‘photographer’ as such but I do enjoy taking pictures, certainly.

Expand full comment
Margaret Bennett's avatar

What lovely colours and words.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Thank you, Margaret. A change of scene is always refreshing.

Expand full comment
Michele Wood's avatar

Thanks it was good to get away.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Always good to have something interrupt whatever your mundane is, isn’t it? :)

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

Beautifully observed, thank you. The bridge reminded me of my Beloved's part of Yorkshire, where many of the buildings are constructed from lovely handmade clay bricks. He very briefly had a holiday job at the brickworks. The men working there had hardened, calloused hands from taking the hot bricks from the kilns and loading up barrows. The heavy barrow then had to be wheeled up a ramp made from a plank to be unloaded. His hands were too soft to bear the heat of the bricks, and he lost his balance on the plank, tumbling down with the barrow in a pile of bricks. Someone kindly found him an alternative summer job working as an assistant to a window cleaner, as he clearly wasn't going to make the cut in the brickyard. But whenever we visit, he proudly points out those houses as though he was personally responsible for their making.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

You have described that so vividly so thanks for sharing that with everyone here, Sarah. I have never really thought of how bricks are made. Interesting.

Expand full comment
Jules's avatar

I really enjoyed this visit to Bridlington. Thanks Julie - just listening to Marie Lloyd now. Very atmospheric 😊🎶

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Yes I love Marie Lloyd and others from that era too. I enjoy the drama and humour of the songs. Must have been a rich experience to attend one of those shows and absorb yourself in that atmosphere for an evening. Live performance carries so much energy.

Expand full comment
Jules's avatar

Some of those songs are so funny and memorable. "Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me A Bow Wow" and "Waiting at the Church". They were so well-loved.

Expand full comment
Julie Dee's avatar

Yes, a favourite is this because my grandma used to sing it to me as a child

https://youtu.be/pS6E2988380?si=4O3kT5CXQwF1tfRu

Expand full comment
Jules's avatar

Oh isn't that great? The song is familiar but I hadn't heard of the singer Norah Blaney. Thanks for this - Music Hall is such an important part of our history. Great to hear.

During the 1970s there was a TV series called "The Good Old Days" (you may have been a bit too young) and stars of the day would perform music hall acts. Both the performers and the audience were dressed up in Victorian dress. It used to fascinate me. Loved the costumes.

Expand full comment