Over the last two weekends I’ve seen Scarborough in the day and the night. Whilst both times have been fun, there’s something sad about the British seaside town, maybe it’s missing some soul; eerily quiet at night, it felt as if the life had been sucked out. I’m not sure how my friends felt but there was something lacking, the gaudy lights of the arcades twinkled in the cold dark night yet they don’t hold the same appeal that they used to. Growing up, the Blackpool illuminations were a highlight of the year, but I don’t know anyone who goes anymore. Do we get too old? Does it become… uncool? Is the seaside only an attraction as a child or with a child? I don’t think so and I certainly didn’t think so as I popped my pound into the kiddies tea cups, laughing with my flatmates as it twirled us round about how we didn’t fit in the seats (bums too big) and how ridiculous we looked (do we care)? We were squirming and cringing yet secretly I was wishing I was little again without a care in the world, or an essay due next week. Ok, the ‘prizes’ in the two pence machines are rubbish, but even just the thought of winning more two pences is enough to lure you to play, even if it is to just put it all back in again. Its fun but very disappointing once all your two pence’s are gone.
The arcade claw machine, as everyone knows, is practically impossible to win; yet the £1 or even £2 per play doesn’t seem to put anyone off. A giant Eeyore was the target yet I came away with the very attractive ‘prehistoric’ squirrel from Ice Age – a prize definitely worth the empty pocket. At night, everywhere bar the arcades were shut, ‘restaurants’ with names such as “Winking Willies Custom House Cafe” had their doors firmly closed as did the bargain shops, much to everyone’s disappointment, although the need for £1.99 sunglasses is questionable in November. The seaside is pretty and does hold some charm; one frend said he’d holidayed in Scarborough, amusement followed but I imagine there’s more vibrancy, more life in the town in summer months.
It was commented that the hotel my friend had stayed in looked “very nice – from a distance”, and it did but apparently the interior is a little tired. This is unsurprising, Scarborough itself looks a little tired, like many of the British seaside towns someone needs to give it a little TLC, it would go a long way. I’d go again though, I’d go every time I was asked just for the £3 ride in a speedboat, which has now been added to my (ever-growing) Christmas list, please Santa? But the perfect souvenir has to be the rudely shaped sweets on offer in the many rock shops. Although I’d happily waste pound after pound on multiple attempts to win a dodgy soft toy, sugar coated boobs are possibly where I draw the line, but its all part of the seaside; I love it and two pence says that you do too.