Sometimes I use AI or search the web to pick a view, but with this one I just thought, “I know exactly what I’m choosing for Essex — Southend Pier.” I don’t know if I’ve ever actually been there before; I certainly don’t remember it. But of course I remember it from Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty’s show — whatever it was called — they used to do a bit at the end, which was quite fun.
Southend, like quite a lot of southern Essex, feels a bit… not run down exactly, but under-invested. You can just tell that in the middle of summer, on a beautiful sunny day with loads of kids around, it would be fantastic — but like many UK seaside towns, it feels slightly past its glory.
gauge thing. Because it was so windy we weren't allowed to walk, so I had to pay and take the train.
I got to the end of the pier and saw the train wasn’t leaving for another half an hour. I thought, “Can I actually fill that time?” But it turns out you can: wander around, go and look at Jamie’s Café (which was closed), grab a cup of tea, take a video — and that’s half an hour done.
Anyway, I had a great time and the view was pretty spectacular, it has to be said. I really enjoyed it.