BLACKBURN

 FIASCO !

SUFFERERS :-  John, Anthony, Mike, Jim, Danny.

Having met at TWO places 😖😖We set off for our planned destination

... Worden Park,  Leyland.  IT WAS RAINING !

Before we had gone more than a couple of miles someone in the car suggested we change to Blackburn as there was an exhibition worth seeing in the Cathedralt...... so BLACKBURN.............. Oh Dear. Oh Dear !!!  BAD MOVE ! A phone call from Jim reminded us that he had not been informed of the venue change.    IT WAS RAINING !

We parked up next to Corporation Park but as we could not fathom the road markings we left for fear of parking fines. IT WAS RAINING !

 The centre of Blackburn was a confused maze of criss crossing side streets, One way streets, Road works and Car Parks (which  we were not allowed to use.) This led to us reversing out of a car park into a one way street and then being obliged to drive down  a short "BUS LANE". (I await the fine) 

IT WAS RAINING

We eventually parked in a rather gloomy multi storey car park with A SEEMINGLY unfathomable payment system. We got there in the end.

and so off to find the Cathedral and the Second World War exhibition which had been the cause of our change of venue. IT WAS RAINING 

This is NOT a good photo. It is out of focus and slightly tilted. Perhaps a harbinger of things to comel

(Is the tone of this blog rather less than bright and sparkly so far ?)

On reaching the Cathedral we decided to have a brew before tackling the knitted ...... YES KNITTED  exhibits.  (Rather superb actually) 

However, waiting at  the cafe door there was a polite gentleman who informed us that the tables were all full and it could be quite a while before we would be served. The occupiers of the tables, all chatting away, looked suspiciously like elderly KNITTERS to me. We left by a side door in search of a cafe. 

IT WAS RAINING.

Not a million miles away was the Market hall and  in we went for a coffee. It was piping hot and very reasonably priced.

So back to the Cathedral ...........  "Can we come in ?"

..........to look around the knitted dioramas. They were superb but overwhelming in their numbers and difficult to photograph with so many people passing in front of them. They were undeniably superb examples of knitting skills and the historic tales each told were fascinating.

Anthony and Jim viewing some of the dioramas.

Next photos thanks to Jim. 

I think by this time I was beginning to lose it. Interest that is. After the first twenty Captain  Mainwarings they all begin to look alike.

Coventry Cathedral

VE Day

Not all the knitted models were miniature . Here's Jim in front of a lifesized Scottish soldier.

and not all were people. Here's a rat catcher.

Last time I saw a pink rat was through the bottom of a whisky tumbler 
( I Lie )

Jim Anthony and myself were quickly through the second half of the exhibition and went to sit in the main body of the Cathedral

By this time any "Sparkle" the day was offering was being extinguished

"Culture Vultures"  Danny and Mike took considerably longer to view all the dioramas. 

we waited and waited and waited and waited...........

Outside   IT WAS RAINING

At last.....  lets go find some lunch

But look!  There's Barbara Castle the MP's version of Marmite

Love her or loath her we could do with some intelligent forthright MPs right now. Whatever their allegiance.

We had a very pleasant but ordinary lunch e.g. Bacon or sausage Barm Cakes with additions. and brews.  The prices were all extremely reasonable

Looking at John. I don't think his opinion of the day's passage is improving. Never mind John there's worse to come.

Lunch over we set off to find the car. Fortunately Memory Man Danny remembered where it was.

Incongruously as we had munched through our barm cakes someone was tinkling away on a grand piano. A bright spot in this dreary day. It was this chap who claimed he couldn't read music but played by ear. He had a GOOD ear.

Back past the Cathedral and through the maze of confusing streets to the car park. 

Guess what !                                   IT WAS RAINING !

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When we got to the Car park the digital entrance system did not work.  We had to wait until someone coming out let us in.

At last into the car and home.. But we were still in the grip of the day's HEX !

As we drove towards Preston a Lorry just in front of us shed part of it's load, We had to break hard to avoid it amid the hooting of horns and the flashing of lights behind us.

At last we arrived back at Anthony's. The passengers got out of the car and started walking away. The driver (Me) started to reverse the car whilst keeping an eye on his companions in the wing mirror. He did not look in the rear view mirror and so bashed into the parked car behind ......... OH SH......!

Details where exchanged and at last I set of for Grimsargh (home)

NOT QUITE ! as I drove down Durton Lane A sign said ....

"ROAD AHEAD CIOSED"

I think I muttered something like "Oh GOODY !!!!" and turned back

IT WAS STILL RAINING

THE END

Thank goodness... Where's that brolly ?

(I