Sentimental Journey
Discussion
This may get moved to the councl thread but I'll put it here and see what happens.
When I was a kid, the family holiday was always a week at Llandudno, which was alright
but a bit underwhelming. The yearly treat was a trip to Blackpool at illuminations time,
with a visit to the Pleasure Beach. Last Saturday, in a moment of pre-senile insanity, I
elected to be dropped off at the Pleasure Beach while my mate/chauffeur visited frinds
in the vicinity.
I'd been there a year ago, taking my ex and my former stepdaughter. That trip was a bust,
The Big One was closed (high winds) so we just went on the Ghost Train. Then, the SD was
whingeing to get to some dinner at some dodgy North End gastropub. So for doing the driving
(from Kendal), providing the fuel and paying at the PB, I was bought a questionable cheeseburger.
This time, the PB rules had changed. because of Covid, you buy an e-Ticket, which covers some rides
and your entrance fee. Being disabled, I could get an 'Easy Pass' by showing my Blue Badge. The
pass lets you queue jump.
OK, to battle. Having got myself organised, I headed for the Ghost Train, in the hope of making a better
on-ride POV video. The ride was rammed, proving that going during school hols was an error. So, on to
bigger things. What had become apparent was that the PB has itself become a much bigger thing. Hobbling
around with my walking stick I eventually arrived at the Big Dipper, which I hadn't tried before....
The big queue was no surprise but I was quite happy to join it. While getting into the the back of the
leading car, I managed to drop my blue badge in its wallet and the lens hood from my camera came unclipped followed it onto the track - a nice staff man retrieved these things for me so I could organise my camera, stick and camera bag. Note to self 2 - don't take so much stuff!
Off we went. I'd watched the POV video on You Tube so I knew what to expect - roughly. And 'roughly' is the word. The BD was born in 1923, extended in 1936 and has had recent track work. But it certainly shook my bones, big style. Steel wheels, no tyres and if there is suspension, it doesn't suspend much. My vid is quite funny, each time there's the crash of a rough track joint, I involuntarily say, "s
t". With all the crap I had with me, filming was impossible once the ride got going. And halfway up the lift hill, the rain started...and my baseball cap blew off! The same staffman found it in car No.2. I hadn't been prepared for the 'air time' at the crests and the sideways G force on the turns. Trying to keep my gear in order and myself on board gave me a long video of the inside of the car, the sky and my feet.
What I'd planned was to do a POV video on The Big One but after this, I thought "Sod it".So, I just toddled around dodging the rain..
I know this reads like a big moan but I still enjoyed myself. I knew the Whip and Wild Mouse have gone but the place remains a spectacle. It's loud and thrilling but the best part was the people. They may have been a massive council contingent but they were there to have fun and were happy and therefore fun in themselves. I heard the F-word just once and lots of laughter - non-whingeing cheerful folk, it was great.
So, to quote Arnie, "I'll be back." At 66, I'm not quite ready for The Sunnybank Home for the Old and fked and I have plans to make my next visit go better.
Thanks for reading...and Bee Kind - I know you lot.
When I was a kid, the family holiday was always a week at Llandudno, which was alright
but a bit underwhelming. The yearly treat was a trip to Blackpool at illuminations time,
with a visit to the Pleasure Beach. Last Saturday, in a moment of pre-senile insanity, I
elected to be dropped off at the Pleasure Beach while my mate/chauffeur visited frinds
in the vicinity.
I'd been there a year ago, taking my ex and my former stepdaughter. That trip was a bust,
The Big One was closed (high winds) so we just went on the Ghost Train. Then, the SD was
whingeing to get to some dinner at some dodgy North End gastropub. So for doing the driving
(from Kendal), providing the fuel and paying at the PB, I was bought a questionable cheeseburger.
This time, the PB rules had changed. because of Covid, you buy an e-Ticket, which covers some rides
and your entrance fee. Being disabled, I could get an 'Easy Pass' by showing my Blue Badge. The
pass lets you queue jump.
OK, to battle. Having got myself organised, I headed for the Ghost Train, in the hope of making a better
on-ride POV video. The ride was rammed, proving that going during school hols was an error. So, on to
bigger things. What had become apparent was that the PB has itself become a much bigger thing. Hobbling
around with my walking stick I eventually arrived at the Big Dipper, which I hadn't tried before....
The big queue was no surprise but I was quite happy to join it. While getting into the the back of the
leading car, I managed to drop my blue badge in its wallet and the lens hood from my camera came unclipped followed it onto the track - a nice staff man retrieved these things for me so I could organise my camera, stick and camera bag. Note to self 2 - don't take so much stuff!
Off we went. I'd watched the POV video on You Tube so I knew what to expect - roughly. And 'roughly' is the word. The BD was born in 1923, extended in 1936 and has had recent track work. But it certainly shook my bones, big style. Steel wheels, no tyres and if there is suspension, it doesn't suspend much. My vid is quite funny, each time there's the crash of a rough track joint, I involuntarily say, "s
t". With all the crap I had with me, filming was impossible once the ride got going. And halfway up the lift hill, the rain started...and my baseball cap blew off! The same staffman found it in car No.2. I hadn't been prepared for the 'air time' at the crests and the sideways G force on the turns. Trying to keep my gear in order and myself on board gave me a long video of the inside of the car, the sky and my feet. What I'd planned was to do a POV video on The Big One but after this, I thought "Sod it".So, I just toddled around dodging the rain..
I know this reads like a big moan but I still enjoyed myself. I knew the Whip and Wild Mouse have gone but the place remains a spectacle. It's loud and thrilling but the best part was the people. They may have been a massive council contingent but they were there to have fun and were happy and therefore fun in themselves. I heard the F-word just once and lots of laughter - non-whingeing cheerful folk, it was great.
So, to quote Arnie, "I'll be back." At 66, I'm not quite ready for The Sunnybank Home for the Old and f
ked and I have plans to make my next visit go better. Thanks for reading...and Bee Kind - I know you lot.
We take the children to the illuminations each year. I have my secret parking spot at one end. We walk the full length. Go on rides, the penny arcades. Get fish and chips. Generally walk back or as it’s October maybe a tram. I never do the moronic thing of driving up and down the prom and queuing with the muppets. Drive home. Never go in the pleasure beach: I’m a true Yorkshireman and too tight.
It’s as rough as hell with dog awful people about. But fun for what it is.
Drive to Lytham the other weekend. Lovely spot. Empty and virtually nothing there ! Possibly because like fleetwood the sea goes out for miles.
It’s as rough as hell with dog awful people about. But fun for what it is.
Drive to Lytham the other weekend. Lovely spot. Empty and virtually nothing there ! Possibly because like fleetwood the sea goes out for miles.
We're going to Heysham en famille for October half term and I'll be hitting the PB. I might well be alone as the stepson is a big scaredy cat and the wife will probably want to walk the dogs on the interminable beach, but that'll be fine. I also intend to try the world famous Higgit's Las Vegas Arcade £1 burger Anything else I mustn't miss?
Had an interesting experience in Blackpool a few years back. Walking along the prom, and I see this couple arguing, really going for it. She's holding a baby and seems to be telling him he's a crap father, he's going back at her. Anyway, suddenly, he just punches her in the face, even though she's holding his kid. She goes mental and starts attacking him with her free hand.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Had an interesting experience in Blackpool a few years back. Walking along the prom, and I see this couple arguing, really going for it. She's holding a baby and seems to be telling him he's a crap father, he's going back at her. Anyway, suddenly, he just punches her in the face, even though she's holding his kid. She goes mental and starts attacking him with her free hand.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
I fell for that one! Bloody brilliant. Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
Always had a softspot for Blackpool, going for the lights on a coach as a kid and seeing the lit up trams and lights.
Had a fortnight there with a mate in the mid-80s which was a laugh and an experience to say the least.
Went to a TVR event in the late 90s with my mrs. and it really opened her eyes to 'Up North'.
Love the place and hope it gets back on its feet again.
Had a fortnight there with a mate in the mid-80s which was a laugh and an experience to say the least.
Went to a TVR event in the late 90s with my mrs. and it really opened her eyes to 'Up North'.
Love the place and hope it gets back on its feet again.
I think I might go back when the lights are on. it's nice to drive along them with the roof down (weather permitting) and I have a convertible. I found the evening e-ticket (6 to 10pm) suited me fine although it was costly (£34) . I'd eaten though so all I wanted was a brew and the Starbucks obliged.
At the risk of sounding down with the kids, it had a good vibe, as I said.
At the risk of sounding down with the kids, it had a good vibe, as I said.
That sounds like a great trip OP. 
My first visit to Blackpool was in 2000 when I was 41, but I loved it - especially the Big One!
But I might have gone sooner if I hadn't been brought up Down South. I remember we always had a family outing to Southend every year in the 60s and early 70s to see the illuminations and visit the Kursaal.
Then in the early 80s I had a girlfriend who lived just outside Brighton so I spent many weekends there.
But in the 90s I ended up living in Sittingbourne so went to Dreamland in Margate with my sister and her family quite a few times.
Took a day trip back there in 2019 with my sister and my niece and we had a great time. Rode the Big Dipper at least 3 times, just because!
It seems it's one of very few few wooden ones left, and one of only 2 that needs a brake-man. The other seems to be in Great Yarmouth, so I think a trip there is on the cards as our parents took us there most years in the 60s!
My first visit to Blackpool was in 2000 when I was 41, but I loved it - especially the Big One!
But I might have gone sooner if I hadn't been brought up Down South. I remember we always had a family outing to Southend every year in the 60s and early 70s to see the illuminations and visit the Kursaal.
Then in the early 80s I had a girlfriend who lived just outside Brighton so I spent many weekends there.
But in the 90s I ended up living in Sittingbourne so went to Dreamland in Margate with my sister and her family quite a few times.
Took a day trip back there in 2019 with my sister and my niece and we had a great time. Rode the Big Dipper at least 3 times, just because!
It seems it's one of very few few wooden ones left, and one of only 2 that needs a brake-man. The other seems to be in Great Yarmouth, so I think a trip there is on the cards as our parents took us there most years in the 60s!
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Had an interesting experience in Blackpool a few years back. Walking along the prom, and I see this couple arguing, really going for it. She's holding a baby and seems to be telling him he's a crap father, he's going back at her. Anyway, suddenly, he just punches her in the face, even though she's holding his kid. She goes mental and starts attacking him with her free hand.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
sc0tt said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Had an interesting experience in Blackpool a few years back. Walking along the prom, and I see this couple arguing, really going for it. She's holding a baby and seems to be telling him he's a crap father, he's going back at her. Anyway, suddenly, he just punches her in the face, even though she's holding his kid. She goes mental and starts attacking him with her free hand.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
Anyway, as luck would have it, a copper appears from god knows where and I'm hopeful he can calm the situation down. But not a bit of it, he just wades in, truncheon flying, battering the guy. The wife then attacks the copper and eventually the bloke gets the truncheon off the copper and both of them are now attacking this policeman.
And then, just as I think things can't get any more bonkers, a crocodile turns up and steals all the sausages.
Very good!
OP - the trip sounds like it was good fun.
We used to go to the illuminations some years as a kid (in the 70s/80s), and a couple of years we went mid-summer. As we lived the other side of the Pennines, most years the holiday was Bridlington or Scarborough.
I have fond memories of the trams and the pleasure beach.
The Big Dipper I remember as being good fun, but really liked the Grand National twin rollercoaster, and there was also a ride where you sat on a horse which went around quite an extended track over jumps, and leaned inwards at quite an angle going round corners.
After many years living "down south", we organised a trip to Blackpool in 2012. Mrs CnC had never been, so for the full northern experience, I managed to get tickets for the darts final at the Winter Gardens.
We had a brilliant time, despite that many people would consider it "council".
Phil Taylor beat James Wade, and a lot of beer was drunk!
We went up the Tower - with the new (to me) glass floored viewing platform. I can also claim to have been higher up the tower than most, as someone had left the gate on the very top level unlocked, so out of curiosity, we went up the steps to find ourselves on the next "floor", which had several aerials and no wall/fence around it! After a brief look, we went back down and let a member of staff know to lock the gate.
The Pleasure Beach was good fun. Went on The Big One, and it was quite exhilarating - especially the first drop. We also found the horse ride - The Steeplechase which was every bit as much fun as when I went there as a kid.
Best of all, perhaps because I wasn't expecting much, was The Grand National. Like the OP's experience of The Big Dipper, I was surprised at what a rough ride it was, the fact you were thrown upwards out of your seat over the top of many of the hills, and the considerable violence throwing you sideways on the corners. Brilliant for an 80 year old wooden rollercoaster!
Just to complete the council experience, we also had quite a few beers in the Wetherspoons, went to Fleetwood on a tram, walked a large part of the beach, went to all the piers, visited the Dungeon and the Tower Ballroom, had ice cream, went in some arcades and spent an evening in the casino playing blackjack and roulette!
Thinking about it, must arrange to go back again.
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