Caption Pic 29th Feb

Gosh! That surgeon did a good job. He can walk on water now!

Blackpool Winter Gardens (A look behind the scenes) 5 miles. Walkers Anthony Vic Dave Mick and Danny.

We parked up near the Solarium at South Shore, where we met up with Mick, who had made his own way there. We battled our way north along the prom against a fierce and cold headwind. We hadn't intended stopping for a brew this morning but the lure of the Velvet Coaster had too great an attraction for us. "My shout" says Mick, "coffees all round". Cheers Mick.

As we reluctantly exited the Velvet Coaster, it had just started sleeting, and the wind had given up none of it's energy whilst we had been sheltering indoors.

The hostile weather conditions worsened as we trudged on. The sleet came down heavier and was being driven horizontally into our faces. Once passed the Pleasure Beach, Mick suggested that we might be able to escape the full force of the wind by continuing on our way, one street back from the Golden Mile. No one made any argument against this suggestion, and the strategy proved correct.

We had arranged to meet up with John W and Martin near the central pier. By the time we met up with them, the dark cloud had passed us by, but the onshore wind continued unabated as we made our way to The Albert and the Lion pub beneath Blackpool Tower for lunch.

Mike the bike had told us that following a refurbishment of the Winter Gardens, they were having an open day, so after lunch
off we tottered to The Winter Gardens to meet up with him and his wife Cath, as they had made their own way there.

We met them in the Spanish Hall which had been denuded of all the tables and chairs, as had some of the adjacent rooms. There were television screens in some of the rooms showing excerpts from some of the musicals that had been on there

This is the Opera House theatre within the Winter Gardens. What an enormous stage.

The Meanderthal stage debut.

The blue tint of the pics is caused by the footlights.

This is the changing room below the stage. There was no sign of any other changing room, so it must be communal.
This was the last pic before the battery in my camera died.
Suffice it to say that the journey back to the cars was far easier with the wind behind us.
DK

BLACKPOOL

WINTER GARDENS
A supplementary Report ....

In the teeth of an icy blast coming off the Irish Sea, filled with hail and sleet,  a brave quintet of Meanderthals set off along the promenade. (Mick, Vic, Dave, Anthony, Danny.)

Don't believe the blue sky it did not last !.............

………. but this is a tale to be told by someone else.

…………...…………………………………………………….

A little later in the morning two other Meanderthals ( Martin and John) arrived close to the Central Pier where they waited as the main party walked north towards them.

Their first target was the Wetherspoons named after Marriot Edgar's famous Monologue "Albert and the Lion" (performed by Stanley Holloway)

……...There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool

            That's noted for fresh air and fun...... 

Fresh air aplenty ....but FUN ?

After a hearty Breakfast....Eh ? we left Wetherspoons and made our way through the "Houndshill Centre" to our eventual target.

THE WINTER GARDENS

After a period of refurbishment this huge entertainment venue was,  for one day only, opening it's doors to the public for FREE.

The following photos show various parts of this "Over the Top" themed rooms and halls.

Inside we met another Meanderthal and his wife.( Mike and Kath)

"Who dragged him in off the street?"

And , for one night only, the fabulous "Meanderthals" appeared on the stage of the famous OPERA HOUSE !

The packed house was wildly enthusiastic about their performance.

But, after a fascinating and enjoyable afternoon, we said goodbye to Blackpool.

"GOODBYE BLACKPOOL"

Caption Pic 22nd Feb

No walk this week because of the weather.......so......click on this link and have a laugh......!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=wZ_9KTAg1Yo

"Look, mummy! No hands!
At his age yer definitely on the "Slippery Slope".
"Don't think he's spotted the waterfilled paddling pool at the bottom yet." 
"Oooh yes! Mummy's watching! What a clever boy!"
"Right, now get off and let the  kids have a go!"
"Eddie the Eagle ? "  no....  "Vic the Vulture ! " .

Caption Pic 15th Feb 2020

"I can see his left elbow very clearly!. 
Could be Coronavirus.... I shall inspect him from a distance.
"Well, what do you think? Pirates or illegal immigrants?"
"Could be Captain Birdseye wanting to join us!"
"Hmm...Three Men....Nine legs ?...… Call the coast guard . They're illegal immigrants from the Isle of Man."

"And a cat! Is there a tale here?"
"Bet they're tryin' to avoid post Brexit import duty on Kippers".

Bolton. The Samuel Crompton Trail. 6.75 miles Walkers Anthony Mike Danny Jim and Vic

Todays walk started from Astley Bridge. We came on the Belmont Rd, at the end of which we crossed over the A666 and parked in a short cul-de-sac. Once kitted up, we made our way through the housing estate ahead and came out on the A58.

We turned left on the A58 and after about 100 yds turned left again along a cobbled lane that led down into the valley.

At the bottom of the hill we crossed a bridge over Eagley Brook and turned right along a footpath alongside the river. At the end of the short path seen here, we turned left following the main path, which climbed up out of the valley. 

The path is in a neglected condition today, but there were signs of  it having been a proper road / footpath in earlier times.

As we climbed higher, the old path was in better repair.

At the end of the path, at the top of the hill, of a sudden, as if appearing from nowhere, (or was I not paying attention) came this magnificent Elizabethan Mansion. (Hall i;th Wood). The house where Samuel Crompton invented his Spinning Mule in 1779. An invention that revolutionised the cotton industry.

The house is now a museum.

Heading down the road away from the house, we turn right in front of the modern properties ahead.

An interesting display in one of the gardens.

At the bottom of the hill is a park, but the slide is to wet for us to play on.

With plenty of things for us to perch on, we settle down for our morning brew.

Much refreshed, we set off again, out of the park onto the main road. Crossing over we pass in front of the fire station and behind a private hospital, onto another old cobbled path.

After passing under this railway bridge, we carry on to the end of the road. We cross over the road and continue straight ahead.

The road gives way to a footpath, which leads down into the valley and turned right along the banks of Bradshaw Brook but not before passing through the lovely hamlet of Firwood Fold where Samuel Crompton was born.

Where we tarry a while.

This is the old school house, now private residences.

One of a few very informative signposts that we came across. We passed through an industrial area and then followed the brook for a short while before making our way into town for some dinner.

We dined at the very aptly named (for us ) The Spinning Mule.
Here we are leaving, we have quite a walk along main roads, before arriving back at the car for our journey home.
Thanks Anthony for a very interesting walk.