Postcard from Lancashire

The boat special heritage illuminated tram outside Blackpool's Pleasure Beach

Sunday's Apple Day post delayed my customary postcard on return from holiday, but I think it's worth the wait. We've concentrated mainly on the eastern side 'oop north on previous cottage holidays, and the western side - namely Lancashire - proved just as rewarding last week.

Storm Callum didn't prevent us from having a great time at Moseley Old Hall in Staffordshire on the way up (and down - I think I've become addicted to the National Trust's cheese scones as a result), then we found ourselves staying at a mere 5 metres above sea level in the 'lettuce capital of England' (my words) where we were surrounded by hundreds of acres of lettuces, cabbages, glasshouses, and other market gardening activities.

Elsewhere in the village, the West Lancashire Light Railway was the friendliest heritage railway we've ever visited, and I've fallen in love again with Booths, the northern based supermarket.

We had time to see family and friends; and plenty of warmth for cups of tea and meals sat outside in the sunshine every day (in October!), though not enough time to see if we could find Blackburn's 4,000 holes.

As you can see, we became part of Blackpool's famous illuminations when our heritage tram turned out to be a boat; listening to thousands of geese arriving for the night at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust's Martin Mere reserve was magical; Gawthorpe Hall has a treasure trove of textiles and needlework to admire, and Anthony Gormley's 'Another Place' at Crosby was worth the trip alone.

Canalside walks in Tarleton and Rufford Old Hall; seaside wandering at St Annes, Southport and Fleetwood; the bonkers brilliance of the World Timbersports championships in Liverpool; and a waterfront walk completed the most satisfying of weeks.

More on some of these places to come...

Comments

  1. Pauline24 October 2018 at 13:30

    Can't wait to hear more, We used to live near Southport and Martin Mere was one of my favourite spots, especially in the winter with all the migrant geese and swans. It sounds as though you had a wonderful time with so much variety. I will wait for the next instalment!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP24 October 2018 at 14:46

      Martin Mere was wonderful... just 8 whooper swans have arrived so far, but so many thousands of geese. I loved watching them arrive and realised they 'chat' away to each other as they fly in :)

      Delete
  2. Anna28 October 2018 at 16:49

    Oh it sounds as if you had a great holiday VP and fitted a lot in over a few days. We are most happy that there is a branch of Booths just a few miles away from our caravan in the Lake District :) I remember Martin Mere vividly as I was stung by a wasp on my one and only visit there. I'm looking forward to reading more about your travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VP28 October 2018 at 17:53

      Looking back I'm surprised at how much we did as it felt so relaxed at the time. I think the key was finding a cottage so central to where we wanted to go, so it was never that far to travel and gave us plenty of 'flop time' as a result. We don't always get that bit right!

      Delete

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