Blackpool and Fleetwood

Monday 18th July 2022

On this, another hot hot day, we drove up to Blackpool and parked in another of Graham’s cousins suggested free parking spaces right next to the seafront – excellent! Although not located on the Lancaster canal, whilst here we had to visit due to Brenda’s love of the seaside.

 

The tide was out when we arrived so a walk on the beach was had before we caught the tram to Fleetwood. Graham has not done this since he was a pre-teen holiday maker staying with the relatives there. We got off at Fleetwood ferry (not working today) and hunted for a shady spot to sit and eat our packed lunch. We settled on some damp sand under the RNLI pier with a good view over the incoming tide swallowing up the sand banks across the bay.

 

After a short, but very hot, walk around the area and the ‘prom’ we hopped back onto the tram for the 55 minute journey back to the car. our original plan had been to spot things worth visiting from the tram and then getting off to investigate them on the return journey, but the weather was so hot we didn’t bother.

 

Back at the glitter ball and the tide was now in with no beach at all. A cooling breeze lured us down the slipway where we found two young men sitting and paddling – enjoying the cooling waves. They explained that they had nothing like Blackpool at home in Nepal. They are doing degrees at UCLAN Preston but cannot return home during the summer break. They are staying in Blackpool as the accommodation is cheaper than in Preston. Both were proud of their country and said how their studies would help Nepal become more prosperous and have better standards of living.

We got back in the car and escaped the heat with an air-conditioned drive down through Lytham St Annes, a different kettle of fish. Although the tide was in there was still loads of sandy beach available over the dunes. We decided it was far too hot to go and explore.

On return to a superheated Jannock (37C inside) we found the first Southbound boats that had completed the Ribble Link passing having locked onto the Rufford Arm at Tarleton. Brenda has now realised why so few passages are going to be available in the next few weeks. Covid may have been one problem but the height and suitability of the tides is the most important factor.

G&B