Hound Hut Happenstance

Today started brightly but by the time we got out for our early morning run the cloud cover had returned casting a grey pall which was accompanied by what felt like a significant drop in temperature.
So when we set off for a micro trip to Rochester we weren't holding out a lot of hope for a more pleasing outlook but not long after we arrived the gloominess had abated and we were able to amble around the town in lovely autumnal sunshine. Hurrah!
So why not try to get some more street shots? My main image was taken outside this canine emporium and was just pure happenstance. I had seen this lady sitting outside with her little dog on a chair, seemingly with its own tiny cushion, opposite her but just as I pressed the shutter someone walked straight in front of my camera. However, they actually ended up doing me a photographic favour as when I waited for them to pass and tried again the little dog was looking straight down the lens! 
I did take some other images around the town but none that I was particularly happy with until we came across Rochester Pier on our walk back to the car. To my shame I didn't even realise the town had a pier. It can be no more than 100 metres long and feels a bit like a glorified jetty but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for with fantastic views across the River Medway and, in the other direction, back towards Rochester Castle.
The pier was originally built in the 1880's and was an important access point for small boats and passenger tours but had fallen into disrepair (with part of it collapsing into the river) and had been closed for 5 years for safety reasons until it reopened to the public last month after extensive renovations and repairs.
My extra image shows a woman sitting on a bench at the end of the pier. I just like how the long shadows seem to be leading your eye towards her as she appears to wistfully stare out across the water to the boats on the other side of the river.