Two Seasides, A Car Chase And a Laughing Ball

After yesterday's dreary weather the meteorology had improved enough for us to set out on our seaside escapade that we had postponed yesterday.
We ventured forth under sunny skies on a seaside double header (not actually sure you can use seasides as a plural!) to Herne Bay and Whitstable.
The journey started somewhat curiously with a staccato police car chase  - I must point out here that I was neither the persuer or the persued! We were on the outskirts of Maidstone when a police car flashed its lights and so I pulled over to let it pass, at which point a blue BMW estate sped past me, went the wrong way around a roundabout closely followed by the police car at speed and then slowed down again. I didn't think much of it but several miles further along our route the exact same car appeared behind us and again sped away from the still following police car and then slowed down again. All very strange!
Once that drama had passed we continued our journey on to Herne Bay. We hadn't been there for well over a decade, the last time being when  mum was still with us - memorable for her having a great time and then getting sunstroke! It's a very traditional seaside resort and all the better for it. It hasn't been overdeveloped and still has its pristine municipal gardens, a palm court with bandstand, a pier and an amusement arcade.
My main image and the first two extras were all taken on the pier, which in its present incarnation has been somewhat foreshortened by various mishaps over the years - flooding, an incredibly harsh winter in 1963, neglect, a massive fire which destroyed the pavilion and several huge storms in the late 1970's leading to a large section being dismantled. What a history!
We had a lovely walk along the seafront and down the pier and then headed on to Whitstable (where my final extra shot was taken) for yet more sea air and a pint at The Old Neptune right on the beach. 
We managed to fit all this in before 2 pm just as the weather turned again and the rain arrived. A thoroughly enjoyable trip!