ST ANNE'S

 JIGSAW JAUNT ? Distance - Various

Participants :-  John W, Martin, Anthony, Danny, Jim C, 

                          James. Vic, Harry, Mick, Mike, Lawrence.

Well, where does one start with this report ?  In several places actually putting the pieces together jigsaw fashion..

Anthony, Vic, Danny and Lawrence parked at the St Anne's end of Lytham Green and set off to walk north to the pier at St Anne's.

Harry had parked close to the pier and was patiently waiting for others to arrive.

Martin, James, and John W parked next to the "Peace and Happiness Garden " (Les Dawson's statue)

Here are Harry, James and Martin heading South along the Prom (With JW Photographer)

Here are Mike and Anthony, followed at some distance by Lawrence and Vic (Danny was with them too) heading North along the prom.

Once together they all made a beeline for "Les" where they had arranged to have lunch.

Our original plan for today was to have lunch at Wetherspoons (Preston) our tradition for the last meeting of the year but Covid had altered our minds. 

And "Les" seemed happy to accommodate us .

We settled onto the benches  (on either side of the garden) where we were soon joined by Jim C  from Penwortham and a little later by Mick from Bispham.

We had chosen this venue as there was plenty of shelter in case of inclement weather . The day was, however, mild and pleasant.

Our end of year meeting always has a slightly celebratory mood and this year we had two things to celebrate........

Today was Martin's birthday and he had brought cakes and "Firewater" to share with the gang.

Mick Kilgallon has had a novel published and he had brought a copy for each of the Meanderthals . What a marvellous achievement. Well done to our "Published Author"

Here we see him signing copies of his book like a true celebrity/

Vic, also , added to the mood with a nip of whiskey to perk up each of our coffees. Thanks Vic.

Vic the "Nip...er" also known as banana man !!!

Unfortunately we were visited by a couple of disreputable beggars. Here's one wringing his hands Uriah Heap style. "Spare us a crust Gov'ner. "

And here's another.... "Just a few coppers for a cup o' tea squire."

The singing of " Happy Birthday"  to Martin  had to be accomplished  of course and Jim Cullen and John Whittle obliged with a very "accomplished"  duet on Harmonicas. 

We could hardly leave the garden without paying our respects to "Les" so we gathered round to do so. 

The two photos are NOT the same check them out

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The whole group walked briefly down the prom towards Lytham.

Going past, as we did, St Anne's PIER,

This was not the only Pier. Here we see a large group of "P****rs".

So.. after what was more of a social gathering than a walk one group walked off towards their cars in Lytham.

Whilst the others turned back towards "Les" where their cars were parked.

A different but very pleasant outing to finish this year's calendar. A year that started with social distancing and ends on the brink of a return to social restriction.

But......... HAPPY CHRISTMAS  to everyone and the hope of a better 2022 !

THE END

JW

p.s. Your writer wrote "a better 2020". A mistake that eagle eyed Anthony spotted immediately. In my defence 2020   WAS a better year.....just 👍😂

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