Liverpool 5.5 miles Walkers Anthony Vic Jim and Danny.

The new aircraft carrier, Prince of Wales, was moored up in the River Mersey at Liverpool, so Anthony, ever on the lookout to add variety to our walks, took the opportunity of combining one of our favourite walks with viewing this latest addition to our naval defences.
We parked up at our usual spot at Old Roan on the outskirts of Liverpool, and took a Merseyrail train to Liverpool Central where we changed to the New Brighton line which would take us under the Mersey to the Wirral Peninsula.
When visiting any large city one needs to be aware of pickpockets and bag dippers!

We disembarked at Wallasey Grove Road station and made our way a short distance to the coast. A cool breeze was blowing off the sea, but we found a sheltered spot in the sun to have an early lunch.

Lunch over, we set off along the promenade to New Brighton.

The coastal road at this time of year was very quiet.

Arriving in New Brighton

Fort Perch Rock, a former defence installation, built in the 1820s

When the tide is out, the beaches at New Brighton are ideal for playing ball games. On the other side of the estuary is the Seaforth container terminal. 

A sea captain trains his telescope on the estuary, from the balcony of the colonial style Pier House.

A piece of artwork constructed from driftwood and other flotsam
washed up on the beaches.

Another shot of the giant cranes at Seaforth.

Stopping to finish the dregs of our coffee would prove to be a bad decision. Had we carried on we would have caught an earlier  ferry crossing.

There she is The Prince of Wales, or should that be The Princess of Wales. Displacement 65000 tons. 920 ft long.

The Mersey Ferry (The one we just missed) making it's way to the Seacombe Terminal.

The view from the ferry.

A Stena Line ferry moored up, and to the left one of the tunnel ventilation shafts.

A last look at the carrier as we arrived at the pier head. A short walk from here to Moorfield station, and we were on our way back to Old Roan, and the drive home in the rush hour traffic.
DK

Caption Pic 7th March

"I'm hoping for a part in the next 'Star Wars' film."
What Coronavirus ?

NON-AMBULANTS

SOUTH LAKES

Martin & John

Whilst the main body of the Meanderthals journeyed to Liverpool to see the Huge Aircraft Carrier. John and Martin went to see smaller craft.

 BLUEBIRD

SWAN

SWIFT

(Windermere's new boat still being fitted out)

ROWING BOATS

(National Trust)

SHY SWAN !

TWO OLD BIRDS

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"