No More Tinsel Tokens, Herne Bay

Today started with a severe frost and sparkling sunshine - it was a splendid  beginning to the day. We ventured out for a run with enough layers on (and gloves) to try and protect us from the biting cold. It was a short jog but still gave enough of a jolt to properly wake us up with a bracing slap in the face!
As the weather was so stunning we knew we just had to head off to the seaside to try and capture some out of season melancholic beauty. In winter the British seaside on a glorious winter's day has an almost heartbreaking fragile intensity to it, a visceral tang that envelops you even when you are shivering from sub zero temperatures.
This time we chose Herne Bay as our destination of choice but on the way there we decided to stop off at Tankerton. This is where I took my sort of self-portrait (it's my silhouette) against the multi-coloured beach huts (see first extra image). We didn't stay long as it was bone chillingly bitter but the light was just majestic and I hope I've revealed that in this image.
By the time we arrived in Herne Bay we were ready for a drink so headed towards the pier where we found a tiny hutted establishment called Beer On The Pier (one of the few places that was open along its' length). We had a pint of pilsner each sat next to a portable heater in close proximity to group of older gentlemen chewing the fat about everything and anything. The proprietor even had a regular clientele of pigeons and sparrows that mopped up stray crisps and other food related detritus. The end of the pier is where I took the main shot through the Christmas decorations still on display. I really loved the  sweet, gaudy sparkle of them along with the closed down ride in the distance which gave the punch of melancholy I was after.
We both had such an enjoyable time taking shots on the pier that we stayed there for a spot of lunch - a toasted bagel each that tasted so good as we were both so hungry having had no breakfast.
On the way back to the car we passed a series of amusement arcades and that's where I took the last extra. "Hot Fresh Don (How May I Help You?)". I love the kitschness of these places, they are bold, bright and in you face and I love them exactly because of that. We had a really joyful day (even though, for the most part, we were frozen). We fully intend to visit again soon.