Although it's been mostly clear and cool here, this freaking wind will not stop! I haven't been able to go up in the Blackpool Tower because it's been closed the last couple of days. Apparently they close it anytime the wind tops 40 mph. When my weather app said the wind was gusting up to 35 mph yesterday afternoon, I walked over there thinking I might get lucky -- but no, the tower was still closed. I'll try again today.
Having said that, it's been really good weather for walking around town and I've done a lot of exploring.
Apparently my hotel is in something of a "gayborhood" -- there are lots of bars and hotels around me, all flying Pride flags. This one has the added bonus of having pictures of drag queens all over the ground floor, including one named "Bernie de Bra." Points for creativity.
Blackpool, like Brighton in the South, seems to have a pretty healthy gay following.
This Beatles-themed bar unfortunately seems permanently closed, but you gotta love all the Beatles references, from "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" on the underside of the overhanging roof to the "Sgt. Pepper's" costumed mannequins in the glass case. The mannequins are all wearing Beatles-themed Covid face masks, so maybe that's a hint at how long this place has been closed (and why). I believe the building is for sale.
I walked quite a bit around town, in the commercial neighborhoods away from the beach, in order to photograph intriguing shopfronts and buildings. As expected, the town gets a bit more "lived-in" outside the tourist areas.
There's an annual event, quite well-known, called Blackpool Illuminations, which as far as I can tell mainly means all the sparkly lights on the waterfront are turned on after dark. This would be fun to see, but I'm too early for it. The Illuminations don't start until the end of August. (I guess it's too light too late to have them on in the summer...?)
Here's a peculiar construction on one downtown street. It's quite impressive, but it's filthy. Someone needs to give it a scrub-down.
I had lunch at a cafe on this street -- avocado, poached egg and bacon on dark toast -- and dinner (a hamburger) at a waterfront pub next to the tower called "Albert and the Lion." Apparently this name comes from a humorous poem about a family of swells with a mischievous son named Albert, who visit the Blackpool zoo with tragicomic consequences.
I also saw the "Send Them Home" guy (see yesterday's post) several more times, walking around town with his flag. He's very persistent, I'll say that much.
On my walk back to the hotel at sunset, the seafront was looking positively Hitchcockian. (I added music to this video too, but also kept some of the ambient sound so you could appreciate the wind, water and birds.)
Back to London today!
I always had Blackpool down as a rather tacky place (sorry), but your photos are proof that there is much more to it. Love the Beatles bar front, and the composition of the first picture of the Garland.
ReplyDeleteBlackpool illuminations are a must see, back in the late 80's we took both daughters, we flattened the back seats of our car, made it very comfortable for them, they lay down and watched as we drove under the lights, and slept on the long journey home.
ReplyDeleteThe tram are all lit up during the illuminations. Speaking of, take a nice tram ride to Fleetwood and back. It's very pleasant.
ReplyDeleteI would love that walk along the seafront. So beautiful. I’m surprised there was no one around this time of year. That art construction is wonderful. Too bad it’s not maintained.
ReplyDeleteHave you ridden on "The Big One" yet? For two years (1994-96) it was "the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world" before being overtaken by a new roller coaster in Japan.
ReplyDeleteAnd to prove it, here's his hat (from Albert and the Lion)
ReplyDeleteThis takes me back to my early childhood and day trips by train down to the coast, with the pier and the amusement arcades etc. Fish'n'chips, seagulls and candy floss.
ReplyDeleteBlackpool Illuminations are quite the sight. If you're interested in 'The Lion and Albert' look on YouTube for Stanley Holloway's rendition.
ReplyDeleteI love the paint job on the front of Garlands! And Bernie de Bra is a great name.
ReplyDeleteThat arch or tunnel or whatever is very interesting but they do need a cleaner.
I love a colorful city so the facade of the Garland made me smile. Very yellow brick road. That's too bad about the illuminations, though. Timing. Loved the video -- the sky is really dramatic!
ReplyDeleteTravel On Brother Man
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs ,
Cheers
Yes, Garlands is definitely an interesting building. The man on the motorized trike is perfect in front of it. And I'm so sorry about the Beatles Bar. I imagine it was a fun place at one time.
ReplyDeleteI read the poem and I loved it. It seems like something a child would have memorized at one time to recite at a social gathering. I think they did that, back in the day. I might read it to August and Levon. I think it would appeal to their sense of humor.
That lion's et our Albert!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the send them back man is targeting you!
Nice brickwork, or pavers, whatever they're called, under those big arches whatever (i)they(/i) are. blackpool looks like a good place to live except for the bigot and his sign.
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to put 'they' in italics.
DeleteSounds like it was a nice getaway. I had to look at a map to see that the beach is on the Irish Sea. Safe travels back to London, Steve.
ReplyDeleteI took a shot at trying to figure out what that strange construction was all about. I found something about a light and sound sculpture. Apparently it's part of the Illuminations event you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are enjoying your visit in spite of the wind.
Your photos show a rough sea with lots of chop and white caps. The wind likely kept everyone away from the beach. I do love an empty beach, all to myself.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have been there during quite a quiet spell, you've photographed it really well mostly showing off it's better side. What a shame about the tower being closed due to the wind, it is somewhere really worth going. I even managed to get my 'fear of heights' hubby to go right to the top. He nearly had a heart attack when I stood on the glass floor.
ReplyDeleteIt's always very windy at our Pacific Beaches but NOT that much! It would definitely impede certain activities. It looks like a fascinating place to explore and take photos of.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the scenes you've photographed reminded me of the film "Yesterday." I thought perhaps they'd filmed part of it there, especially when you showed the Beatles theme. They did film some of it in Liverpool and in other seaside towns, none of which I'd heard of.
ReplyDeleteThe quirky details like “Bernie de Bra,” Sgt. Pepper mannequins with Covid masks, and that gritty yet charming downtown structure really bring the town to life.
ReplyDeleteToo bad that the weather is nasty but you are still getting a good look around.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to see Blackpool like that to appreciate the buildings..the thought of it heaving during the mills' fortnight holiday fills me with dread!!
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