{"id":19082,"date":"2018-11-23T12:05:54","date_gmt":"2018-11-23T12:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=19082"},"modified":"2018-11-23T12:07:06","modified_gmt":"2018-11-23T12:07:06","slug":"back-to-blackpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/back-to-blackpool\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to Blackpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blackpool<\/p>\n

A Blackpool photo essay of sorts, all taken on a day trip during our recent Lake District sojourn<\/a> (we couldn’t stay that close and not<\/em> introduce the Small People!).<\/p>\n

Given the fact that Both Mr R and I have a good few Northern roots, it’s a place that featured in our childhoods and family history going way back. Whilst The Toddler and I waited as the others went on the Grand National, we stood mesmerised by the horses on the hauntingly beautiful Derby Racer (complete with glitter ball and traditional Belgian Organ). Strange to think the Pleasure Beach was probably enjoyed by our grandparents (and possibly great grandparents) once upon a time.<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

Mention the name Blackpool and many people will reminisce about childhood holidays full of amusement arcades, seaside rock, donkey rides on the beach and probably sitting at pub tables with parents when the heavens inevitably opened. They might tell you about slightly (or very) raucous stag and hen dos that they’ve been on, and how bonkers the place can be on a weekend.\u00a0 I have actually witnessed it on a weekend in my late teens. We didn’t have much money, so stayed in what was possibly the worst hotel in the world, and the owner accused us of pinching the hotel hoover over breakfast the following morning. When I said we had done no such thing, he reappeared a few minutes later and re-accused<\/i>\u00a0us of not only pinching the hoover, but hiding it out on a balcony?” I wish I could remember the name of the place, I wanted to see if it was still there, but I somewhat doubt it!<\/p>\n

\"beach<\/p>\n

Blackpool is definitely a place that has had to evolve over the years,\u00a0 from its heyday as a premier Victorian “Take the cure” resort – there’s even been talk of it becoming the Las Vegas of the UK recently… When we visited on a Wednesday however, it was quiet enough to hear the voices of visitors past if you listened hard enough…<\/p>\n

\"rollercoasters<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

\"Flying<\/p>\n

The ticket office at the Pleasure Beach was probably the busiest place during our visit, but the park itself is spread out so it didn’t feel busy even though it was half term for a lot of us!\u00a0 \u00a0If you plan on visiting, book\u00a0online beforehand\u00a0for wristbands<\/a>, you save a lot of money this way, especially out of season…<\/p>\n

\"toddler
Toddler Strong Man?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"exploring<\/p>\n

\"Quiet<\/p>\n

After observing a toddler Strong Man attempt (see picture above), and watching in horror as my 13 year old flew past me at some god awful speed on Icon<\/a> (she said afterwards she loved it, but as she hadn’t read the description before agreeing to go on it with her Dad, the 0-80km per hour in 2.25 had come as a bit of a shock!), we went on a few more favourites (New Market, Grand Prix, The Grand National a couple of times, The Pleasure Beach Express and the Eddie Stobbart Lorries), I had a quick crystal ball consultation (“I travel a lot” apparently, and interestingly “I am not quite settled yet”!!), before we decided it was time for lunch.<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

\"Yorkshire<\/p>\n

For us, there was only one real option – we headed to the North Pier on a Golden Mile Tram (the Heritage trams are just gorgeous, and it’s a really lovely way to see the Illuminations if you want to see them without the traffic jam!), winding up the back streets straight to Yorkshire Fisheries<\/a>. If you think tea is a weird thing to drink with fish and chips, you obviously don’t have any Northern blood, or perhaps you are the offspring of people who made you live abroad for the first chunk of your lives, so you truly have no idea (happy to say that I think mushy peas are slowly winning over sauerkraut though<\/a>!).<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

Afterwards, the Heart Foundation came up trumps with a big yellow Tonka toy so we headed to the beach for a spot of digging. Given that it was practically empty, it gave a real sense of how immense this stretch of beach is (although it’s called the Golden Mile, it’s over a mile and a half long, and when the tide’s out feels just as deep). The sun played nicely through the clouds and I managed to get a few photographs that I think captured the place out of season half decently.<\/p>\n

\"comedy<\/p>\n

\"comedy<\/p>\n

I loved the fairly new addition of the Comedy Carpet, capturing the punchlines and catchphrases of over 1000<\/a> of the UK’s best loved comedians. I had to spend quite a while with my bookworm whilst she read what must have been the entire lot! Luckily the Tonka was still proving popular with her youngest sibling on the by now freezing cold beach.<\/p>\n

\"Blackpool<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

It’s hard to compare Blackpool to anywhere else, it really is unique. Whilst it’s still obviously a place that brings in the visitors, it’s hard to ignore the signs of where it’s struggling too (like many places nowadays).\u00a0 But, through our particular seaside traditions, the impressive sandstone Victorian buildings, the Winter Gardens, and of course the ancient Tower itself, (if you want to watch a film about how iconic it is, watch the original Japanese version of Shall We Dance – I had no idea!) it’s still fabulous in my opinion.<\/p>\n

There’s something comforting about the place, it could be the visible ghosts of a shared English heritage, it could be fond memories of holidays and days gone by (nowadays people are more likely to come for a day or two rather than a whole week!), but Blackpool still has plenty of charm if you look closely enough. It’s a bit like a hug from a favourite aunt – albeit one who loves vivid colours, has probably had a few sherries and smells faintly of Lambert & Butler – but you always looked forward to seeing her, and she was always fun to be around!!…<\/p>\n

\"blackpool<\/p>\n

Above anything else, it’s a brilliant place to take kids (especially those that don’t know much about their home country, they couldn’t believe their eyes at some of it!!). As we only had a fleeting visit this time, I have added a few links to friends family travel posts on Blackpool that you might find useful:\u00a0 Mini Travellers has a whole family travel section on Blackpool including Blackpool Tower Dungeons, Coral Island and The Sealife Centre<\/a>;\u00a0 The Family Adventure Project takes a more in depth and nostalgic look at The Pleasure Beach<\/a>; Actually Mummy explores Blackpool’s Madame Tussauds<\/a>.\u00a0 North East Family Fun has a recommendation for a family friendly hotel<\/a> that does a good Pleasure Beach package, and you\u00a0 can also take a tour of the arcades with Parentshaped<\/a>\u00a0…<\/p>\n

Let me know what ride’s you go on at the Pleasure Beach won’t you?<\/p>\n

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