Lytham St. Annes sits on the Lancashire coast, a few miles south of mighty, ballsy Blackpool. I was there with my mum for an afternoon on a glorious day last week. It was a real scorcher. There was a scattering of people and a lot of sand. I think I saw the sea. It was that far out, the glistening in the distance might have been a mirage in the desert sand. I think I saw Peter O'Toole on a camel at one point. The pier sits on dry land for much of the time, rarely getting its feet wet. Just an occasional paddle. The end of the pier is no longer at the end of the pier. Or perhaps the end of the pier is beyond the end of the pier. A section sits isolated fifty or so metres from the main surviving structure. It makes for a fine sight. I do like a good pier, past its prime and clinging on, majestic in age and stance. If you just need a bit of space, the beach provides it in buckets and spades. You can look and wander and wonder, at least for a hour or two. Be aware, it's considered rude to sit within ten metres of someone else.
