Blackpool

......And Meanderthals in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That walked with us upon Saint David's day!

(apologies to Bill Shakespeare)

The 'Beast from the East' (That's not him in the picture!) threatened to thwart our plans for a walk today.....but "Meanderthals are made of sterner stuff", so seven of us were prepared to brave the elements and take a walk down the promenade from Little Bispham to Blackpool Pleasure Beach,
a distance of 5.2 miles.

Long-forgotten ski wear, bob hats, long-johns, extra jumpers, scarves, thick gloves and snoods were all brought out to ensure that we survived the Siberian blasts.

Needless to say, we were the only ones who were brave
(or should that be foolish) enough to walk at a brisk pace down the lower promenade.

Before long it was time for our coffee break and, fortunately, Martin once again produced his very welcome, 'winter warmer' - Jagertee.

We continued, still alone, along the lower promenade, which provided some protection from a biting easterly wind.

Passing the former 'beach lift' at Uncle Tom's Cabin

Following a hastily consumed picnic lunch, we continued south, pausing briefly for a picture by the tower.

The planned end of the walk was to be the 'Velvet Coaster',
a Wetherspoon's pub adjacent to the Pleasure Beach.

A warm welcome awaited us here in this very modern pub,
the largest in the Wetherspoon chain.

The pub takes it name, Velvet Coaster, from a roller-coaster, which operated on the Pleasure Beach when it opened in 1905.
This enormous 'sculpture', The Strong Man, was another attraction on the Pleasure Beach at that time.

A poster in the pub advertising the original coaster.

Following our visit to the pub for a very welcome cup of coffee
( and the necessary toilets), we made our way by tram back to Little Bispham .....and home.