My memories of Southend-on-Sea go back to the 60s, day-trippers on Southend Pier looking like they’d stepped out of a Martin Parr photograph wearing cowboy hats emblazoned with with ‘Kiss-me-quick’; mods & rockers fighting on the beach; arcades full of ‘one-armed bandits' …

All in all, ‘Sarfend’ enjoyed a rather unsavoury reputation.

But I wasn’t one of those day-trippers, I was born up the road. An ‘Essex girl’ with Greek and English origins who turned into a globetrotter!
 
it was time to revisit my UK roots, which I did earlier this year - off-season. Southend is easily accessible, just 45 minutes from London’s City to the sea (when the tide’s in).

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a seaside resort busy reinventing itself with some stunning world-class examples of urban art.

N° 1 for FUN N° 1 for funAlfie & the Big Wheel N° 1 for FUNIn anticipation N° 1 for FUNWelcome to Southend-On-Sea N° 1 for FUNSouthend therapy N° 1 for FUNBlessings from Southend N° 1 for FUNSouthend is exotic! N° 1 for FUNThe Winner gets the Doughnut N° 1 for FUNCreate your own Reality N° 1 for FUN N° 1 for FUNInseperable N° 1 for FUNNever never land N° 1 for FUNThe Sea Front N° 1 for FUNViva Las Vegas N° 1 for FUNCircus Circus N° 1 for FUNSouthend-by-night