Fylde Coast and Beaches

Meeting up with Josie's Cousin, George, and his girlfriend Scarlett, on Sunday provided an opportunity to visit the beach. George is in Chester and so we agreed to meet halfway between us, in Southport. An early start meant we began our day further down the coast in Crosby to show Josie and the kids the Antony Gormley "Another Place" statues - 100 cast iron male statues embedded in the sand and sea along the beach and water's edge.

We then headed up the coast to Ainsdale beach where we met George for a walk on the beach and some kite flying for the kids. Despite being overcast we escaped any rain and the blustery conditions helped get the kite up and going.

It was then off to Southport for a spot of lunch at the Hungry Monk, which was very tasty, before saying goodbye to George and Scarlett and heading to check-in at our accommodation for the night - a 1982 British Army Lynx Helicopter at Reams Hill Holiday Park. The ex-army helicopter has been converted into a glamping pod at the holiday park and sleeps 2 in the bunk and 2 in the cockpit with an attached outside deck.

The final port of call for the day was an early evening walk along the promenade in Blackpool. We parked at the South Pier by the Pleasure Beach and walked down the prom to the Blackpool Tower and along the North Pier. A very brief visit to Coral Island for the kids to ride the pirate boats and a play on the Grand National ball game before heading back to the South Pier and home to sleep in the helicopter!!

A nice early start Monday to drive back home in time for the kids to get back to school for 8.30am. We had the alarm set for 6.00am but between the sunrise and the crow that landed on the roof of the helicopter and started crowing we were up and out early enough!