Blackpool

Another day trip this time on the bus to Blackpool.

Blackpool is the holiday destination for EVERYONE !! I just had to see for myself why it is so popular. They have 3 piers into the ocean with fair rides and also Blackpool Tower. Let the adventure begin.

This was one of the first things I saw !!

Look my own shop !!

Welcome to windy Blackpool. Tides in !!

Blackpool Tower

View from the top looking to the road below.

The writing is jokes and sayings that you are supposed to read from the top of the tower.

View from up the top

Jim being brave on the glass floor viewing platform.

Before we headed to the top of the tower we were shown a movie about Blackpool. It was a pretty cool movie and was in 4D so you really felt like you were part of the movie and really flying through the air. They made it snow and you also got wet when you travelled through the water. Very cool experience.

Also at the tower was a grand ballroom where you could pay and be able to dance on the floor or have some morning or afternoon tea. We didn't want to dance but you were able to view it from the upstairs area and just sit and watch everyone on the floor. There is also the piano player on the stage playing lots of different old time songs. He arrives though the floor !!

It was so pretty, could have stayed there all day.

So old and so beautiful.

Really wanted to go here but not enough time or money !!

Blackpool foreshore and now the tide has left !!

 

 

The other major attraction that we went to were the Blackpool Dungeons. What a scary place as I don't do well in the dark as I am night blind !!

We had our picture taken with shackles and a large axe as a gimmick at the beginning and of course you can't take any pics inside :(

Once I got over the initial terror it was quite a great experience. Lots to laugh at and also make you jump out of your skin.

Of course Donna was roped into one of the displays. I had to stand in the docks of the courthouse and was charged with being a witch. I was charged with witch craft and dancing naked in the moon light while jiggling my wiggly bits !! Believe me I have plenty of those !!!

Another bit of fun was Jim and I both went to separate palm readers. Jim went to one on the pier and I went to another on the main street. The crazy thing was that one whole part of the reading was exactly the same. Pretty cool and spooky at the same time as we went to 2 completely different readers. Mine told me that I was on the right path, had made the right decision about the house and that my baby that didn't make it to this world was my guardian angel and is with me and watching over me all the time. This information was a great comfort to me. Uncle Jim's was a little crazier but time will tell if all with come true.

Another funny thing about the main drag of Blackpool were the arcades that were right along the water front. I don't think you could go by more than 3 shops before another games arcade !!

Thanks Blackpool for a great day. I now fully understand why everyone travels there for the holidays. There is so much to do and see and so much fun to be had. Will be adding this also to the return list.

That also concludes our trip to Yorkshire. Thanks to everyone for being so great to us while we have been here. Allowed us into your hearts and home. We will miss you greatly and counting down till we return in a few years. Thanks again everyone we love you xxxx



 

Family

The main reason for this trip was to go and see where my family was born and to see where my mum and her siblings grew up before heading to Australia. The beauty of doing this was to see and meet the family and friends that they left behind.

I myself had only ever met Grandma Palmers sister Mollie when she came to Australia for a holiday when I was about 12 years old. Most of the people in England had met me when I was visiting back in 1980 when I was eight months old. Needless to say I have no memory of that trip so I was meeting these people for the first time and meeting up again with Aunty Mollie. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her !!!

We met up with so many people, one of them was Debbie. Debbie is the niece of Aunty Norma and the daughter of Joyce. When we were about 10 or 12 years old Debbie and I became pen pals for a few years which was a lot of fun. It was great to meet her and her beautiful little boy. What a cutie !!

Beautiful mother and daughter

Told you he was a cutie.

Next family catch up was Huddersfield Football Club to meet up with Aunty Mollie, Angela and Ian who were kind enough to show us around and take us to where mum and the gang grew up. They also organised to pick up Aunty Mollie and get everyone together.

Angela and Ian

 

Can see the family resemblance here

 

The gorgeous and witty Aunty Mollie xx

 

 

Uncle Les, Angela, Ian, Lesley, Elaine, Aunty Mollie and

 

 

I just LOVED spending time with Aunty Mollie

 

 

Isn't she just the cutest !! Love her to bits xxx

What a great afternoon of laughter and tears. I'm sure Uncle Jim was feeling the same way and didn't want the day to end. Thanks everyone for a great catch up, great stories and some family history.

 

Another family get together was with John and Margaret. We all got together for a family dinner. Unfortunaly Sophie couldn't make it as she was feeling unwell being pregnant with her second child.

 

 

 

 

What a fantastic time we have all had catching up, swapping stories and being shown around. A massive thank you to each and every one of you. It has made my trip a true highlight and can't wait for you all to meet the rest of my little family on our return trip in a few years time.

Whitby

Whitby is a beautiful sea side fishing town from where Captain James Cook set sail on his adventures and from where he would discover Australia.

Another adventure and a great place to spend the day.

When we first arrived there was some kind of dance festival happening. Lots of great colour and movement.

Fishing boats just like home in Wollongong

Along the piers and around the edge there were heaps of people side by side all crab fishing. It was so strange to see so many people doing the same thing and everyone was catching something. If I was a crab I would have been swimming in a different direction !!!

 

Ah more things reminding me of home !! Mr Seagull

The following picture was one of the funniest that I took the whole trip. Jim and I couldn't believe what we were seeing. Pretty pointless I think but anything goes here.

An ice cream van on the "beach" !!! So funny had to share !!

Beach dressing sheds all brightly coloured.

The other entrance to the beach.

Tides in, no walking on the beach for us today.

We were lucky enough to see the bridge open for a few boats.

Such a pretty place with so many quaint little shops. Yes did some shopping !!! But now to climb some more steps to visit the Abbey and the church !!

Nearly at the top.

Yep made it all the way !!

The beautiful view of Whitby.

Love the old tombstones, just wish someone could care for them a little better.

The remnants of the old Abbey.

The new Abbey.

One of my favourite pictures