Trams n Lights

I had only one thing planned for today and that was to take the children to Blackpool in the evening to see the illuminations.

Before that though, a walk into town was required for a couple of bits and M’boy had some unspent pocket money burning a hole in his pocket. The weather was so glorious that despite being berated and whinged at, we took a wander around the foot of the castle on our way home to meet a friend and check out a football training session.

It looked great and I think m’boy was keen to join in, so I might get him signed up for it. We stayed for the duration and then having received and accepted an impromptu invitation for lunch, headed back for a very pleasant couple of hours spent chatting and devouring some fresh made soup whilst the children played. I can’t remember the last time someone made lunch for me!! 

We stayed for a little while, but feeling far too relaxed and with it being nap time (mine), we headed home to regroup and get set for our trip to the Blackpool lights. Unbeknownst to me, the rest of the UK had had the same idea as the promenade was HEAVING. There was also a pervasive smell of weed.

Parking at the Bispham end, we got the tram down to the North Pier and walked along to the tower, timing it perfectly for a light show which flashed and zoomed up and down the tower whilst Kylie’s ‘All the Lovers’ played. As the bright heart on the tower shone out, it was all strangely affecting and I know the offspring felt it too as they gathered into me for a group hug. Honestly, I could have turned on my heel and gone home happy then, but we carried on walking and the wee ones soaked up the sight of the lights strung all the way along the front, sparking trams lit up as trains and horse drawn pumpkin-shaped carriages clip-clopping up and down the strip. And the smell of weed.

Despite an initial pushback, we sat and ate burgers and chips staring out to sea and tried to figure out what and where the various lights were that we could see. Eventually it was time to go, and it was nice to hear the children sat that it had been the best day ever – they did then row this back a little after remembering our day in Scarborough over the summer hols, but there was no shame in being second to that.

Wonder what we will do tomorrow?