walk the plank(s)

Sunny day today but with a cold wind so we decided on a walk down to the end of the longest pleasure pier in the world - Southend Pier! Very empty this morning so at one point we had the whole pier to ourselves which was very nice! Very grateful for the small cafe at the pierhead though after our mile and a quarter walk for a lovely cup of hot chocolate!  Had  a little look round the RNIB shop which is at the end of the pier too but sometimes wish there was more to do/see when you get to the end! This is my mum and dad striding ahead while i was loitering around in the hope of snapping a seal which can often be seen swimming around the Thames Estuary - no luck today but maybe next time!  And no we didnt walk back, we took advantage of the pier train to get us back to land!!