Hello. Since I was last in Blackpool a lot has been happening, and the extensive renovations along the Promenade have been completed to make it a pleasure to walk along. There is still a lot more which could be done on the other side of the road however. The traditional shops, cafes, and amusement arcades are still very popular, but the upper floors of the buildings are in a state of disrepair and look quite shabby in places. I suppose it's all down to who owns them, and if they can afford to do anything about it. The trouble is that any buildings on a sea front are going to deteriorate quicker than anywhere else, and need a lot of money to keep them up to scratch. It's an ongoing battle with nature.
On Monday Carol and I set off from her house, she lives about a mile from the sea front at Cleveleys. The plan was to walk to Blackpool, stop when we'd had enough, and get a tram back. It was blustery, but at least it was dry and warmish. There are still a few of these old shelters about.
The work on the Promenade at Cleveleys is mostly finished, with just a bit more to do. Most of the bigger hotels are along the North Shore. This is the Norbreck Castle, or part of it, it's too big to get it all in the picture. I used to come here a few years ago with my 'Mr Puss', mobile shop. They have a cat show every year. I would turn up the day before to set up my stand, then sleep in my car at the back of the hotel. No one ever asked me what I was doing.
Work on Blackpool Illuminations is an all the year round job. Erecting new displays and repairing old ones. These look just as good in the daytime as art instillations without them being lit up.
We found a cafe and had mushroom omelette and chips for lunch, and continued along the Prom, past North Pier.
Had to take a picture of this from across the road. Erm....this is a Wedding Chapel? Really? People actually get married here? Surely not, it looks awful! Well I had to goooglie it, the blurb says it's stunningly beautiful inside and out. I think not. It boasts a view of the Tower from one window, and the sea from another. You can get married as the sun is setting over the sea, or later in the evening when the Illuminations are on. It's a nice idea, but the building looks hard and cold. Have a look at the brochure if you want to book it.
Now this I wholeheartedly approve of, we need more comedy in our lives. The Comedy Carpet on the Promenade in front of the Tower. We didn't go up the Tower for a birds eye view.
Have a look at this video to see how it was made. It cost 2.6 million £'s, and was unveiled in 2010.
We carried on walking along the Prom. The donkeys are out giving the kiddies rides. A tradition which dates back a long time. I hate to see animals used for human amusement, I hope they look after them. Here is a BBC article about their welfare. The donkeys have to have a one hour daily lunch break, and have one day off per week.
I noticed that there are a lot of new trams and buses in Blackpool, they look very sleek and modern. The old tram depot is near Manchester Square so we went to see if we could have a look round some of the vintage trams they still run. Alas, we were not allowed inside.
I've found a video of some of the old trams returning to the depot on their very last run in 2011. I'm glad some of them will be making an appearance again on their Heritage Route.
Hoooraaay, we have made it to the Pleasure Beach. I wondered at this point if Carol would like to call it a day and get on the tram to go back, but no, she was game to explore some more. We went to the reception to purchase tickets for entry to the park. It is £6 per person to enter, this includes a ride on the little train. Extra tickets can be purchase to go on the other rides, but we decided not to. I excitedly told the young man on the desk that I used to work on the hot dog, waffle, and donuts stall over 45 years ago, and this visit would bring back many happy memories for me. I was dead chuffed when he gave us a free ticket so I only paid for Carols. Now that's good customer service.
Here we are at the little train station. It was a smashing ride, it goes behind the scenes and under the coasters, with lots to see alongside the track. I was struck by how much greener the place looks from when I worked there. Most empty spaces have been planted up with trees, shrubbery, and flowers. It looks more like an American Theme Park now. There's such a lot to see. I imagine a one day pass would not be enough time to take it all in. The children's park is massive, and a new coaster is being constructed for the season next year.
This is where I used to work. The kiosk was opposite the Log Flume, which is no longer there, it has another ride in it's place. Where that young lady assistant is standing used to be me selling waffles.
Difficult to catch a coaster train when it's whizzing around super fast.
Oooh look, My old buddies are still there. I must say, they are looking a bit old and decrepit now, I don't think they have been doing enough exercise and have let themselves go a bit, ha ha.
Now Carol's gone and got herself locked up, s'pose I'll have to bail her out.
What a fabulous day out we've had. I'm impressed with the Pleasure Beach, no need to fly hundreds of miles to visit a theme park, we have one right here in Lancashire. The only gripe I do have is that the Laughing Man is no longer funny. He has gone through many changes in his lifetime, but the one I remember is a real circus clown dressed in a colourful costume with full clown makeup and a frizzy colourful wig. Now it's a plain brown silk costume, and he has no makeup on. I couldn't raise a titter.
Now you have enjoyed our walk from Cleveleys to the Pleasure Beach, perhaps you would like to ride the tram back with us.
That's the end of the holiday pics. Blimey, I thought I was hungry, I've missed lunch. Better get an early dinner. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip
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