A Trip to 'Skeggy'

I admit it, I like Skegness. I've been there a few times, and with each visit I become a little fonder. There's no explanation for it. Yesterday was my wife's Birthday and I found myself once again unable to buy her a gift and instead, I bought her a nice card with a message inside promising I will make it up to her one day.

Getting back to the subject of this post, we decided to go out for the day. We had planned to take my son to York but the ridiculous cost of train travel from Peterborough (£145 return) simply makes it prohibitive.
It was a toss up between Great Yarmouth and 'Skeggy' and on this occasion, Skeggy won.
The journey was easy enough though it was the longest journey our little car had done since we got it in January. Sometimes I actually enjoy the journey to and from a place more than the place itself. Sounds odd I know but I've always enjoyed driving though I enjoyed it more with my beloved old Chrysler Voyager, bless her.
Skegness was busy and it took some time to find a parking space. Thankfully we were right on the sea front, just a short walk over some sand dunes and we were on the beach. Where we were, it wasn't too busy, most people opting for the 'middle bit' of the beach near to the amusements. There were a few people, most had children and were enjoying the warm weather building sandcastles or paddling in the sea. A few had actually ventured into the water and were swimming. I managed a paddle and it was freezing, so the swimmers must have been devoid of any sense or feeling.
One of the things I like about Skegness is the beach. It is very clean and very well maintained. The view has now been blighted by what seems is an ever growing number of wind turbines. Not content with ruining the countryside with them, they are now putting them out at sea.
Luckily we had taken a wind breaker as there was quite a strong breeze. Being very sunny, we did well to apply some sun cream though I omitted to put any on my face so I am now a very bright shade of red. I never learn, it happens every time. It's no wonder I choose to stay out of the sun most of the time.
Skegness was full of locals and many who had ventured down from further north. You can tell instantly by their accents and their loudness. They don't hold back and often don't mind what they say or who they say it to. There was a real mix of ages but in my middle years, I am noticing more and more the inappropriately dressed and whereas I would not normally comment, I am finding myself doing so more and more. I am definitely getting old. My wife says the same. It seems nowadays that people really don't care what they wear or how they look. It seems that anything goes.
Skegness attracts the best and the worst of society, but what remains common is the love for the place. It's why people keep coming year after year. Very little changes in Skegness. The shops are the same, selling the same things. The amusements are the same. The mechanical grabbers have the same soft toys in them that were there last year, only they've faded a little in the sunlight. I don't think anyone ever manages to win one. We tried and on each of the fifteen tries, the troy slipped out of the grabber's arms as if it was too heavy or dare I say it, artificially weighted. Those toys will be there next year.
I find myself a little more sensitive to noise. The amusement arcades with their magnetism to the young seem almost unbearable now. The noise seems constant and piercing. Shrill sirens, bells and whistles break the relentless rhythm of the latest dance track. Yet, part of me enjoys being there. I like trying my luck on the 2p shuffle, hoping that a slight nudge in the right place will dislodge a mountain of coins sending them cascading out of the machine into the coin tray. Of course it seldom happens and I look across with envy at the OAP who has just bagged herself £20 in 2p's.
Leaving the amusements, all our loose change spent, we head for an eatery. It has to be fish and chips. We're at the seaside, it would be sacrilege not to. On the short walk, we pass rock and fudge shops with their bright pink display and little openings selling fresh hot doughnuts. People shuffle past gripping cuddly toys and eating ice creams, wearing inappropriate shorts, white socks and sandals, their stomachs overspilling and sunburnt.
There's definitely something about fish and chips at the seaside. It's one of those British things. We do it because it feels right. Our parents and grandparents did it, so we should too. Personally I love it. Many had the same idea, the restaurant was full to capacity and I suspect it had been full all day.
Skegness empties as quickly as it fills. The arcades remain open long into the evening and the screams from the roller coaster continue long into the night. The hardy head for a stroll along the beach while we look for the car, wishing we'd parked closer.
We'll be back again, and we'll expect it to be the same. We like it that way.