Looking for an anchor

Beach journal 4th June 2026

West Pier, Brighton. 10am. 16°C, heavy showers, high winds from west. Low tide.

June has started with a wild ride. After the irregular heatwave of last week, heavy downpours, storms and lower tempertures have descended. On Thursday morning, I arm myself with a windproof coat and take the fastest route down to the beach. My aim is to move my body in the outside world before spending another few hours at home waiting on a plumber.

Outside, pavement tables are abandoned and the chairs are tipped in or stacked against the rain. The grocery stall is covered by a giant sheet. College students slump past me, soggy and bedraggled in hoodies and plaid shirts but apparently unbothered.

Down the hill and through the city centre, the rain has stopped but the winds are wild. I take a narrow side street and the wind funnelling up from the sea is so strong I have to turn my head to the side to catch a breath.

I break out on to the main road and can already see the ocean is white, frothing and furious. The weather is brutal as I cross over and drop down the steps by the empty playground.

The new life guard hut is occupied and the red Danger banners have been hammered into the stones. It’s hard to believe anyone would want to go in to the water to swim. Even the shallows are treacherous today.

The rusting pillars and struts of the old pier have survived over 150 years of storms, this one won’t break her.

West Pier, Brighton with Brighton Pier in the background

The gulls are hunched up in an oval patch facing into the wind. Occasionally one takes flight, struggles to get height and is forced to glide back east and come to rest further along.

There’s nobody else here except for the lifeguards and an undisturbed runner on the coast path.

I usually love the furious winds but today I’m weary from poor sleep and a general unsettled feeling. I’ve been away from home too much lately, (although my mum is doing well). I want to anchor myself somewhere calm. That place is not here, though the steadfast pier offers a little comfort. The energy of the waves is contagious and I let it carry me home.

Kore x

Tide and Shingle has become a quiet place for me to write and share that I really appreciate. I’m enjoying the company. Thank you for reading.

Last week I had the joy of having a poem published in Poetry & Purpose Magazine here on Substack. The magazine includes a diverse range of poems from some brilliant poets but as a fledgling, I felt safe and delighted to be included.

This is the first time one of my poems has been published outside of my own blogs and Substack, so it feels quite special. Please show some support for Kelly Louise and the wonderful poets there.

Poetry & Purpose Magazine