Blackpool.......Two 'spoons walk!?

Blackpool promenade walk....like we've never done it before!

5 miles, 7 walkers, 2 lunchtime visitors and two pubs.

Walkers: Danny, Jim C, Paddy, Vic, Mick K, Mike H and Anthony.

Martin and John W joined us for lunch.

Blackpool promenade has been a popular walk with us for many years but we've never included a visit to, not one, but two Wetherspoons pubs.

We parked the cars near the Solarium at south shore. 

Our Blackpool Meanderthal, Mick K joined us as we headed to 'spoons no.1, 'The Velvet Coaster'. It takes it name from one of the original rides on the Pleasure Beach. Morning coffee was taken here.

Suitably refreshed, we resumed our walk to the Tower. Nestling in the tower building is 'spoons No. 2, 'The Albert and the Lion' named after the Stanley Holloway monologue. (See below)

 A leisurely lunch was taken here and we were joined by Martin and John 'Two sticks'. 

"......and another small fish & chips?"

Eventually, we resumed our walk with a brisk walk of 2.5 miles back to the cars, trying to avoid the drizzle that had been forecast.


Albert and the Lion
by Stanley Holloway

There's a seaside place called Blackpool

That's noted for fresh air and fun

And Mr. and Mrs. Ramsbottom 

Went there with young Albert, their son.

A fine little lad were young Albert

All dressed in his best, quite a swell

He'd a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle;

The finest that Woolworth's could sell.

They didn't think much to the ocean

The waves they were piddlin' and small

There were no wrecks and nobody drownded

'Fact, nothin' to laugh at at all!

So, seeking for further amusement

They paid, and went into the zoo

Where they'd lions and tigers and camels

And old ale and sandwiches, too.

There were one great big lion called Wallace

Whose nose was all covered with scars;

He lay in a som-nu-lent posture

With the side of 'is face on the bars.

Now Albert 'ad 'eard about lions-

'Ow they was ferocious and wild;

To see Wallace lyin' so peaceful

Just didn't seem right to the child.

So straightway the brave little fella

Not showin' a morsel of fear

Took 'is stick with the 'orse's 'ead 'andle

And shoved it in Wallace's ear.

You could see that the lion din't like it

For givin' a kind of a roll

'E pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im

And swallered the little lad - 'ole!

Now mother 'ad seen this occurrence

And not knowin' what to do next

She 'ollered "Yon lion's et Albert!"

An' father said "Eee, I am vexed!"

They complained to an animal keeper

Who said "My! Wot a nasty mis'ap!

Are you sure it's your boy 'e's eaten?"

Pa said, "Am I sure?..... There's 'is cap!"

The manager 'ad to be sent for;

'E came and 'e said "Wot's to-do?"

Ma said "Yon lion's et Albert

And 'im in 'is Sunday clothes, too!"

Father said "Right's right, young fella

I think it's a shame and a sin

To 'ave our son et by a lion

And after we've paid to come in."

The manager wanted no trouble;

He took out his purse right away

Sayin' "'Ow much to settle the matter?"

Pa said "Wot do you usually pay?"

But Mother 'ad turned a bit awkward

When she saw where 'er Albert 'ad gone

She said "No, someone's got to be summonsed!"

So that was decided upon.

And off they all went t' p'lice station

In front of a Magistrate chap;

They told what 'ad 'appened to Albert

And proved it by showing 'is cap.

The Magistrate gave 'is opinion

That no one was really to blame

And 'e said that 'e 'oped the Ramsbottoms

Would 'ave further sons to their name.

At that Mother got proper blazin':

"And thank you, sir, kindly, " said she-

"Wot, spend all our lives raisin' children

To feed ruddy lions? Not me!"