Well, I’m back now 
and apologies in advance for yet-another-Blackpool-post which you’re going to have to read. It’s inevitable when so many bloggers go away on holiday together 
Keith’s welcoming nest
I arrived at Blackpool station at about 8 o’clock in the evening, fully refreshed from my fancy train sandwich meal. Unfortunately, the rest of the group were slightly less refreshed on the National Express coach, which managed to be rather late, so I settled down on a bench to read Female Chauvinist Pigs (blame Saoirse) and get slightly worried that I’d already got shouted at by some children. But then, they were shouting at everyone. Once the others (Nic, Chad, Lucy, Loretta and Max) arrived we set off in a cab to the hotel. Which Nic had already costed into what we’d paid him, because Nic is an event organiser by birth! Joined shortly after by Josie and Andy, we settled into the wonderful Applethwaite Hotel. My room may have been the size of a matchbox, but I didn’t care at all, especially with uber-friendly Keith there – the hotel manager \ future husband of most of the group.
Nic. He’s passionate.
The next morning, after breakfast (“Toast! Have some more toast!”), the thrill-seekers of the group set off for Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which was brilliant. Seriously, we thought there’d be a few rides and some stalls, but it was actually a proper theme park in there, with loads of great rollercoasters, log-flumes and an amusingly bizarre Dancing on Ice show with pretty-in-pink camp dancers. We’re tracking down the ride photo which we bought of all of us, which I’ll share when I can 
Later we drank. Some of us more than others
Gambling addicts
OK OK, well, it was only me and Lucy who were up at a 9 for breakfast on Sunday. As everyone slept in, we went off to buy Tash’s birthday present (happy 15th for today Tasha! 
and later played air hockey, ventured onto the beach, visited the waxworks and got accosted by a man trying to rope us into a stall game, which didn’t work because we’re very well aware that hand eye-coordination skills are hard to come by in us.
And another one
Sadly our Blackpool holiday was almost at an end, but we spent Monday morning being hypnotised by the sound of 2p coins at the arcade before everyone else left on the coach. I returned to the train station, only to catch an earlier train than expected and find myself in Birmingham. Well, you know that, because I told you but after blogging I was generously invited back to Lucy’s house in a surprise extension to my holiday hurrah!
Entranced by the bright lights
So yesterday we saw Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End which I agree with Andy about: good fun, incredibly complex, still not as good as the first film but happily sorting out the unsatisfying second. I finally arrived home (on the same train ticket from Blackpool – really squeezed value out of that one ) late last night, just in time for Natasha’s birthday today.
Phew, that’s it now I have to put everything away, catch up on beloved television programmes, do some revision (hah!) and get ready to go out to the theatre tonight. It’s the Tricycle again so it should be good
More photos, and in better quality than my silly phone photos, can be found at Josie’s Space and probably a thousand MySpaces by now. Enjoy!
Hellos! We’re back. Back to sunnier-than-thou weather, which is a bit strange. I know you’re only here for the (now traditional?) set of gorgeous photos so let’s just get straight to that, shall we?
We had to take this. We were in Paris!
Got to the top… lovely view…
But obviously just an excuse to pose
With unflappable hair
Historic y’know – Napoleon’s in there
Looking glam!
Carefully built to look exactly like the Da Vinci film set
Armed and dangerous
Jumpin’
Paris is really rather cultured
Or is it? I laughed so much at this
No no no idea what these are
Happy Family Moment (TM)
Heya blog! I’m back! Yes – came back from the Big Apple on Friday morning and managed to avoid the effects of jet lag by staying up like normal. Before we get to the most-requested photos it’s time for some observations about New York! Firstly – it’s not America! OK, maybe it is, but it’s very Londony too. I’m talking about the public transport, the lack of fat people walking around (sorry – stereotype but hey ) and all sorts of little touches that reminded me of home.
There are differences, of course. In London you sometimes wander into the road, decide you won’t make it and go back to the pavement. In New York, oh no you don’t! By the time you’re in the middle of the gigantic crossings you’re a million miles from the sidewalk so you might as well plough on and avoiding getting run over by the ubiquitous yellow taxis.
American TV is also… shit. Don’t get me wrong, they make some great programmes, but it’s still unwatchable due to the constant adverts. Fox News also stuck me as not only horrible, but really unprofessional too. And they have no idea how to interview without you hearing both people talking at once.
Continue Reading
Cute photo with Katie by the TARDIS
With only a week or so to go, I finally got to Brighton and the Doctor Who Exhibition. Well if anyone was going to go, it would be me, right?
And without further ado, some photos…
Brighton Pier
Lovely scenery
A tribute to Pingu
An almost cartoony blue sea
Which is amazingly clear
Crazy golf!
Tasha’s henna tattoo
Haha – I love that
One cruise we didn’t take
Lunch! (this was absolutely not set up in any way, we just happened
to be at the next table in the delicious Crepe and sandwich shop)
Jeff DuBowe on Haarlem globetrotters: “One of our favorite spots. Super walking city. I think we were the ones who told your In-Laws about it…” Oct 14, 15:15
