parkrun Tourism: Blackpool - #16

 

As I was going down to Blackpool to video the Mid Lancs XC I decided to get up extra early and so the parkrun first. In fact I got to Stanley Park in time to catch an amazing sunrise:

I was made very welcome before we all set off along the B route (avian flu stopping normal lake laps):

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As it was a flat route I felt very comfortable and in fact had to slow down a few times as I hadn't planned on running a fast one! In the end I came in with an official finish time of 34:20 which was 4 minutes and 14 seconds faster than on New Year's Day... yes that course is hillier but it was a real sign that my fitness is improving. 2022 is now faster than 2021 for me at parkrun but its still my 2nd worst year (so far):

#CountryKids Athletics and Parkour in Blackpool

Last weekend my son was taking part in a Sporthall athletics competition in Blackpool so we headed down the M6 early in the morning so that he was there for the 9:30 start. He was running, jumping and throwing over 4 events during the day including a 2 lap race. He then went out and did Parkour in the park:

#CountryKids in Blackpool for CBBC Shout Out Saturday

I have applied for tickets for BBC shows in the past and never been successful so didn't think I stood much of a chance for the CBBC Shout Out Saturday live from Blackpool. It was a pleasant surprise to be one of the 13,000 lucky viewers to be sent a ticket. Then it dawned on me that we would need to be in Blackpool at 7:30 AM on a Saturday morning - eek! Luckily the journey there only took an hour and we managed to park up right next to Blackpool Tower:

It was a chilly morning to be queuing on the seafront. Luckily the views were good and we chatted to other families waiting for the gates to open:

The advantage of getting there early was that we were on of the first ones in to the arena and my children speed walked their way to the front:

Reasons to be Cheerful: So much fun! #R2BC

Glad to see I am not entirely on my own to still be blogging in the school holidays judging by last week's entries. Once again thanks for joining in and sharing your happiness. I look forward to seeing what everyone has to say this week before I hand back over to Ojo's World for August (good job her Internet is fixed!). Any way here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:

1) A day at the seaside

I had forgotten how much we loved the beach until we went to Blackpool for the day. Sun, sea and sand made for a magic combination:

Oh and a magic/comedy show too:

Review: Cirque du Hilarious, Blackpool Central Pier

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We were given complimentary tickets to see Cirque du Hilarious in Blackpool. I had heard great things about their show from people that had seen it at Butlins so I was looking forward to it. There was no mistaking the venue when we met two of the lovely dancers outside the theatre:

I had met up with a fellow blogger Nickie from Typecast and the children in our party grabbed a table right up next to the stage and the grown ups sat behind:

#CountryKids a day on the Blackpool beach and promenade

One thing we have all missed after moving from Hastings to Kendal 4 years ago is the sea. So it was great to head to the most famous seaside resort in the North West - Blackpool. Its just over an hour away from us which isn't far for a day trip. I obtained parking tips from Twitter (on street near the airport), packed our swimming kit and off we went. It's all so well signposted even without a navigator.

As advised we took a tram as we were almost at the far end of the promenade. It was a reasonable £4.50 for the 3 of us to go all the way to Central Pier. This was my children's first tram ride and it was a nice way to arrive. The children's priority was the beach so we set up base on the steps next to the pier:

As it was mid week the beach was pretty quiet even though it was boiling hot! The tide was on the ebb so there was plenty of sand: