Southport Conference day 4 - Blackpool

Nov 2^nd.  It was our final breakfast at the Ramada Plaza  in Southport, as we bid farewell to Les (Pat hadn’t surfaced yet), congratulated him on the excellent Conference, and thanked him for the great hospitality we have enjoyed this weekend. We were not, however, going home just yet, as we had decided to visit Blackpool, only about 10 miles up the coast as the crow flies (although an hour’s drive by car). A 4 star hotel on the sea front had been booked, so we had high hopes of a comfortable stay. I had not been to Blackpool since I was 14 years old, and the DG had never been, so it was too good an opportunity to miss. The famous illuminations were on for their final week this year, so it was a perfect time to visit. We had actually seen Blackpool Tower when we were walking on Southport pier the other day, and from our Hotel room after dark, we could just about make out the Tower and surrounding area all brightly lit.

                                                              Blackpool illuminations seen from Southport

Before going to Blackpool, we made a diversion about 10 miles South, to Crosby, because I wanted to see Antony Gormley’s sculpture ‘Another Place’. This remarkable creation comprises 100 cast iron figures, cast from the artist’s own body, placed along the beach at Crosby, all staring out to sea. Designed to explore Man’s relationship with Nature, the statues disappear under the incoming tide every day. It certainly was an impressive sight when we visited, with the tide a long way out, so I could walk right up to the life size statues. There were a few people wandering about the beach when we arrived, and at first glance the statues looked like real people who were just standing still.

                                                                    Anthony Gormley's 'Another Place'

                                                       Statues are about 50 yards apart

Crosby is just outside Liverpool, and from the beach I could see the buildings of the City centre, including the iconic Metropolitan Cathedral. The estuary of the Mersey was just alongside us, and there was a lot of shipping coming to and fro. The statues are well spaced out over a couple of miles of beach, and the ones closest to the promenade are easily accessible to walkers. Further out, the beach becomes very muddy and dangerous, so some of the furthest statues are not easily reachable.  As I found in Southport, the public toilets were coin operated (30p again, I think). Anyway, I only had a £1 coin on me, so it was another expensive visit.

                                                        Some have become half buried in the sand

Having had a good look at the sculpture, we headed North again, to Blackpool, via the busy Preston town centre. It being lunchtime, we stopped just outside Preston at a garden centre (Dobbies), who just happened to have a Cotton Traders franchise in-store, where the DG could take back the ill-fitting top bought on the way up at a service Station on the M6. Not surprisingly, the Garden Centre afforded more shopping opportunities for the DG. Eventually, after a pleasant lunch of soup and a roll, we headed off into Blackpool, to the Hotel we had booked.

                                                            Dobbies Garden Centre

First impressions of the Hotel were quite good. It was old, possibly Victorian, but had an air of faded elegance about it that I quite like. The DG had requested a sea view, accessible room, so we were looking forward to checking in. When we arrived I left her to go up to our room, whilst I enlisted some help from their staff with the luggage. A young man with extraordinary spiky hair came out, very friendly and helpful. He didn’t have a trolley available, but between us we managed to get the luggage out of the car and up to the room.

                                                                    The Promenade at Blackpool

On our way up to the room we passed the DG going the other way. She was not happy. It seems that we did not have a sea view room, and she was going down to sort it out. I thought it best to leave her to it. After all, she is much better at complaining than I am. Me and the young man with spiky hair waited by the lift for her to return. Whilst she was gone, the young man told me that none of the sea view rooms were accessible, so a compromise would need to be reached between views and accessibility. She soon returned with the same news, and we decided to at least have a look at the room allocated to us. As soon as we walked in, I could see that it was unsuitable. Apart from being dark and poorly decorated, a person in a wheelchair could not get round the bed or reach the dressing table.  The DG told the young man in no uncertain terms, that we needed a better room than this or we would not be staying. He explained that they were fully booked tonight, and suggested we think about our options and let Reception know. Perhaps we could be moved tomorrow.

                                                               Premier Inn Bispham

At this point I realised what a useful device the 4G availability on the DG’s  I-pad is, because within minutes, she had sourced a Premier Inn  nearby and checked us in to it. As easy and quick as that. We have stayed at Premier Inns many times, and whilst not exactly luxurious, we have always found them clean, bright and friendly, with good accessible rooms, and there is always a Pub / Restaurant attached. We took all the luggage back downstairs, whilst the DG reported to Reception that we would not be staying and we wanted a refund. The Receptionist said we would have to speak to a manager, and went into an office behind her, where we could see her speaking to someone. After a while she introduced us to her manager, who was none other than the spiky haired young man we had spoken to already. At least, we didn’t have to explain everything from the beginning, and he promptly arranged for a full refund. He was probably glad to see the back of us, it can’t be good for business to have guests complaining loudly at Reception.

                                                   Bispham Station, northernmost extremity of the Illuminations

A few minutes later we arrived at the Premier Inn at Bispham, a village at the northernmost extremity of the illuminated promenade, and about half a mile back from the seafront.  We were happy with our good-sized room and moved in accordingly. There was a Beefeater pub next door, and rather than travelling again in the car, we decided to eat here tonight. We also pre booked  breakfasts for the next 3 mornings. However, we didn’t have a great experience in the pub that night. Firstly, it is not easily accessible because it has steps to different levels, with no ramps. The only table we were offered was in the entrance hall, with bustling staff all around us. Also the tablecloth felt gritty, as if plaster dust had dropped on it. We learnt that the pub was closing on Tuesday to be refurbished, which may explain it. Apart from that, the DG didn’t enjoy her meal very much. Nevertheless, the staff were all friendly and helpful, and we felt sure our experience would be much better if we were to come back when refurbishment was complete

                                                                 Beefeater at Bispham

When we got back to the Hotel, we decided to cancel breakfast at the Pub, as we were sure there were plenty of suitable establishments in Blackpool. We had not seen any illuminations yet, and only a distant glimpse of the tower, but that would all be rectified tomorrow, which we were sure would be a better day.