Just to add to the seasonal confusion that has arisen with record high temperatures at the start of October 2011 here are some beach huts.   At the end of September Coast magazine announced the winners of their national beach hut competition. Beach hut owners are evangelical about their little sheds of paradise. Such is their popularity that there are over 23,000 beach huts in the UK and the figure is increasing year on year.  The ones on prime sites such as Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset where you can stay overnight, a rare privledge in the world of beach huts, have been known to fetch £120,000. Relentlessly cheery in their appearance, finding one decorated without seashells, flags, bunting or stripes is rare.  However, strict rules govern the paint schemes on the outside. The psychedelic one pictured at Hove is on borrowed time; a friend of the owner painted it while the owner was at a wedding and 'Dave the decorator' hasn't been seen since.  Still, it would make a change to see a gothic or thrash metal example. Pictured above is one of the judges, seaside expert Dr Kathryn Ferry. The winner was charity Little Havens Childrens Hospice which won the Best Story category for their beach hut in Essex.