BLACKPOOL

 HEALTHY WALK

Fit Fellas ? :- Anthony, Mike, John, Danny.

As one of our number had an appointment at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on this particular Thursday we decided that Blackpool would be our our walk's destination. Victoria Hospital is quite close to Stanley park so we parked within "Stanley" and set off initially to the cafe.  It was closed but the Information Centre promised "Brews" So here we are inside the centre.

A we sat drinking a fascinating video was playing showing historic film of Blackpool and the park. Mike is a "Blackpool Boy" and recognised much of the scenes from the video. John did not see much as he was occupying the chair with its back to the screen.

"Start the Day Brews" downed we set off to make our way through the park to the hospital.

Here we are walking through an area of six Bowling greens in poor condition and used by dog walkers. SAD !

The steps in front of us led to a path to the far side of the park where the Hospital was. Oh no they didn't. Just to a hedge barring the way onto the golf course.  a gap in the hedge allowed us to enter the Golf Course and follow it's edge to re-enter the park after a couple of hundred yards/

As we followed the path negotiating the top end of the lake we came across THIS !  What is it ?  Answers in a plain brown envelope please and NOTHING rude or Lewd please.

It was apparently an area where people fed the birds as bird feeders were hanging in the trees and many seemingly hopeful birds were gathered here.

There were ducks and gulls in abundance

and pigeons appeared out of nowhere to land almost at our feet,  

"Sorry birdies were heading for a cafe. We are not carrying food today".

A tribute to an individual unknown to us was attached to a tree. Perhaps a keen local "Birder".

We had been advised that the "Staff Canteen" was open to the public and after searching along the hospital's seemingly endless corridors we found it.

At this point Danny left us to attend his appointment. Whilst we joined the queue for a very acceptable "hot" lunch.  Here's Mike using the drinks machine.

Lunch over we made our way to the rather magnificent modern Foyer where  Orange or was it Tangerine clad guides were available to help visitors negotiate this very large hospital.

Mike decided that he would leave us here to go through the park to the car and bring it to the car parks immediately outside the Foyer building.

Soon after he left a phone call from Danny informed us that his appointment was over and he was on his way to join us.

Danny had missed out on lunch but got himself a coffee once he had joined us, We now went outside and waited for Mike to arrive with the car.

As is his wont Mike now gave us a fascinating guided tour of his schoolboy, footballing and courting days as we wended our way through the suburbs towards the main road and eventually the motorway back to Preston. A surprisingly enjoyable visit to a side of Blackpool we rarely see. EXCELLENT !

THE END

JW