TR: Back to the '50s

Stepping out of the car, I couldn't believe my eyes. There, on Clacton Pier, was a helter skelter - a big, classic one like they used to have. "Gary will love this", I thought.

Next thing I saw was some sort of pleasure boat approaching the pier. Steam came out of it. It was a steamboat! I had to double-check I'd arrived in a Mondeo and not a DeLorean.

Clacton used to have both these things, of course, but neither had been seen for many years. It appears there is a concerted effort to recreate the past.

I walked down to the pier and stepped onto the boards. They have a great many new machines, such as Sega and Namco "grabbers". This is what I love about Clacton Pier - they're always trying.

The helter skelter is a magnificent specimen close up - direct from the days of showmanship. I've no idea where it came from.

Approaching the end of the pier, I was lucky to see the pleasure boat depart. Where it was heading remains a mystery, although it did sail off in the direction of London.

Another new addition at Clacton is a huge windfarm, the construction of which has been a source of mystery for me over the past year or so. You can see it in the distance, miles offshore. Sometimes you can hear enormous clunking.

Next, I headed into town, looked round the two game shops and bought a takeaway. It's rather a shame none of us can pop into Woolworths anymore, as that was a big part of Clacton for me. Still, it's always changing.

I sat in the beautiful seafront gardens in utter bliss, soaking up the sun and watching the enormous herring gulls swoop down onto the nearby lawns. I dropped a chip and threw it to a little bird. Salty air made my food taste even better. It was paradise.

Walking back to the car, there was one more thing I needed in order to make my seaside trip complete - an ice cream. There is a little isolated Nestle stand which, to me, is like an oasis. I bought a Vanilla Extreme and went home very contented.