If at first you DO suceed

try not to look too astonished

How gorgeous, even the cloudy bits were uncharacteristically warm today so a walk along the beach was the best medicine and much better than anything currently prescribed.

Not too much of a trek to get to Burnham-on-Sea which is a lovely as long as you don't overload on your expectations. It's wonderful stretch of sands can take you on a fantastic walk all the way along to Brean Down. (Just remember to check your tide times)

Thanks to the English Seaside Piers website I have learnt that Burnham-on-Sea Pavilion is considered as the shortest pier in Britain and comprises of no more than a shoreward end pavilion on concrete piles, it still retains some Edwardian features.

The pier was built just before the first world war, the Pavillion was then built between 1911-1914 It was to be the first concrete structure of its kind in Europe. The concrete is extremely strong and is largely made up from Granite Chipping's shipped from Penryn in Cornwall. This material is used in maintenance work to this day.

The design of the pavilion has associations with the famous Bristol engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), showing some similarity with the railway stations at Bristol Temple Mead and Bath Spa. The pavilion stands in the centre of the esplanade and is, quite rightly, very much the central feature of the town's seafront. The original purpose of the pavilion and why no promenade deck and landing stage ever happened, still remains largely a mystery. Good intentions possibly lost out to lack of funding? somethings never seem to change!

Today Burnham-on-Sea pavilion is owned and run by Mr H Parkin who purchased what was a derelict structure in 1968. Much money and effort has been taken on restoring Burnham-on-Sea Pavilion and maintaining its original features. Today the entrance comprises of a selection of small shops selling food and refreshments, with the main building housing an amusement hall.

I hope the summer starts soon as it is places like this that really need the good weather and the tourists to keep going. Such an incredibly bad year last year, they deserve a better one to start soon :)

Right early night again, school trip tomorrow - snooze time allowed on the bus if needed, and if anyone feels travel sick they will have to sort themselves out :(