The morning after the night before in Blackpool. I went for a walk along the shore.
The colourful edges of the Pleasure Beach.
Eccentric B&Bs.
Quiet bandstands.
I had just watched Fire of Love, the magnificent documentary about vulcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. I liked the way The Big One looms over this part of town, waiting to erupt.
Last stop, what was once the World’s Largest Mirrorball, officially an artwork by Michael Trainor called They Shoot Horses, Don’t They.
I was going to say this is a break from islands and ferries, then remembered this trip to Blackpool started with a detour to Knott End-On-Sea, where the ferry crosses over to Fleetwood. The ferry wasn’t running that day but it’s a scenic spot, with lots of wading birds and a statue of L.S. Lowry who used to paint there.
On to Blackpool. Always an interesting mix of highs and lows. Found this up a side street.
Blackpool at sunset is a beautiful thing, especially in winter.
Hours of endless fun reading the Comedy Carpet.
And a good spot to sit and watch the starlings fly around the pier.
After leaving the pier, sadly Wonkey Donkey was closed.
Weston-super-Mare has at least three crazy/adventure golf courses in close proximity. The old ones are the best.
“Person per tramp” – an example of business speak that doesn’t quite translate outside the business.
Good story on this blue plaque in Weston’s local newspaper – “Although invited to, he never jumped the queue and would happily chat with other visitors.”
Back in Weston-super-Mare after a few years.
It is a classic British seaside resort, with a smashing pier.
The pier burnt down in 2008, but is now back in full swing. Sometimes it’s quiet…
… and sometimes it’s loud.
Didn’t win anything, but had fun trying.
Piel Island – a tiny island in Cumbria off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness – is looking for a new ruler. For reasons that have become slightly hazy, the licensee of the Ship Inn, Piel’s only pub, is crowned the King or Queen of Piel.
The ‘coronation’ ceremony involves sitting on a throne and having beer poured over their head.
Piel is a tidal island, and can be reached by ferry from Roa (at times).
At low tide, it’s possible to walk across the sands (careful now).
For a small island, it punches above its weight with one substantial ruined castle, one thriving pub and one row of very solid-looking houses.
When we visited, there was a great display in the Ship Inn, full of historical artefacts.
If you like to get away from it all, it might be worth a shot.
I recently visited Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, or the Cathedral Church of SS Peter and Paul, to give it its Sunday name. [Wikipedia]
The Roman Catholic cathedral was designed by Ronald Weeks and a team from the Percy Thomas Partnership, and was completed in 1973. It is now Grade II Listed.
Hexagons and equilateral triangles are key to the design of the whole building.
It had just reopened for services again as restrictions were lifted.
“Originally intended to be executed in stone (it was thought that these would be damaged by later building work), the Stations were made by William Mitchell using Faircrete (a mixture of concrete, resin & nylon fibres). The artist was asked about what reaction people had to his work: ‘Well the work is a bit hairy I suppose, but then so was the experience of crucifixion.’” – from Wikipedia.
Even the bins are carefully designed. The walls show the shape of the timber used to cast the concrete.
Enjoy a virtual tour in David Essex’s video for Oh What a Circus.
Had my first proper visit to Bristol. What a wonderful place.
Something interesting around every corner.
And lots of history wherever you look.
I❤️EK
£10.00
8 mixed postcards - set 2
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8 mixed postcards - set 3
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Sign Here
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A Parade of Shops
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