That’s the Last Time I Travel First On Virgin Trains
My trip down from Blackpool wasn’t a nightmare, but it could have been better.
It was my fault that I booked First Class because I thought I’d be using my laptop and wanted to take advantage of free wi-fi. But I didn’t take the computer and after a good journey up in Second, I’d rather regretted it, as I find the Second Class seats better than First, as I don’t have a very good back.
I was hungry, but I thought I might get something to eat. All I’d had since Blackpool was a smoothie and a banana in the station buffet. Often there is aFirst Class Lounge, where I can get some fruit and coffee. But not Preston!
On the train, as it was Saturday, all the food offered was biscuits or an apple.
So effectively, I paid the extra for First Class for two cups of coffee.
And then the train was 55 minutes late into Euston. I shall be claiming a refund, if Virgin offer one. I can’t find anything about that on their web site.
As it was, the lateness ruined Plan B,which was supper in Carluccio’s in Islington. Luckily, I had some cold Musks sausages in the fridge.
How Do McDonalds Add Gluten to a Cappucino?
I thought a cappucino was gluten free! But according to the information in the McDonalds at Blackpool, it’s not!
They Said The Seat Was Restricted View
This is the view from a restricted view seat at Blackpool.
A Restricted View at Blackpool
Especially, as Ipswich lost, I doubt I’ll be going again. I suppose it’s OK if your team doesn’t take too many fans to away matches.
But Ipswich do!
Is Blackpool the Most Pedestrian Unfriendly Resort in the UK?
I went to Blackpool with an open mind, but I had met a plumber from Wigan in Liverpool, who goes to that city with his bike, when he wants to get some sea air.
But I hadn’t been prepared for what I found.
Arriving at Blackpool North station, there was no map or instructions to help me get to the football ground or even the town centre. There was a map for sale at a pound or so,but it didn’t have either the station or the football ground on it.
I was told as a child, that if you’re lost, you should always ask a policeman. So I found two. But one was from Manchester and the other was from Preston. They hadn’t a clue on directions. So I suppose, if there was an incident, they’d probably turn up with difficulty and late.
In fact there are no useful maps in the dump, as to call it a town, insults all of those places, like Great Yarmouth, who care for their visitors so much better.
There is however this bus map on all the stops.
Blasckpool's Useless Bus Map
I suppose it might be useful to those who have the route they are taking to hand. But for me it was as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Close to the football ground it gets worse with roads that have no crossing places for pedestrians.
A typical Pedestrian-Friendly Crossing In Blackpool
The picture was taken on a busy roundabout. where are the protective lights? And here are some Ipswich fans trying to cross the road to McDonalds.
Ipswich Fans Dodge The Traffic in Blackpool
I know Blackpool has financial problems, but surely they want visitors to return.
Obviously they don’t want coeliacs, who have to walk everywhere!
Gluten-Free From Liverpool to Blackpool
On Friday, I’d eaten well in the Victoria Gallery and Museum and then I’d had a gluten-free sandwich from Marks and Spencer on the ferry.
There were no gluten-free sandwiches at Lime Street Station. But this is what Marks & Spencer say on their website.
I broke the journey at Preston and managed to get a gluten-free roast chicken and pesto sandwich in Starbucks, which isn’t my favourite type, but it still filled a hole. Not too far from the station incidentally.
At Blackpool I checked the city centre for something to eat and there was nothing. Even Pizza Express seemed to serve a restricted menu, which didn’t have the salad nicoise. In the end I walked down the promenade to the football ground and didn’t see anywhere I’d have eaten, if I wasn’t a coeliac.
I did see this shop though.
Anos Pizza in Blackpool
I didn’t even ask!
So I didn’t eat anything. Not that I was that bothered at first, but as time for the match drew on, I felt I needed something. So I went into McDonalds and bought some fries and a Coke. The manager was very helpful and at least I used the time there to make a visit to their very clean toilet.
I couldn’t help thinking as I walked down the promenade, that there is nothing that would tempt me to stay any time in Blackpool. I’ve even seen better trams in a museum. This broken clock summed up Blackpool.
A Broken Clock in Blackpool
Or does it only work, when they switch the illuminations on? The picture was taken at 11:18
A City of Clocks
Liverpool contains more public clocks than any other city I know. And most seem to tell the right time to! Even the clock on St. Luke’s church was showing the correct time. Obviously, the Nazis couldn’t make time stand still!
C never wore a watch and perhaps in her four years or so in Liverpool, she learned how to manage without one!
Liverpool’s Third Cathedral
It may not be a religious building, but Lime Street station in Liverpool, has all the columns, roof and space you’d want for a cathedral.
It is a proper destination station like St. Pancras, where you could meet someone for business, pleasure or whatever. It is also very close to some of the major attractions of Liverpool. Unlike many stations, which seemed to have been built wherever they could get the land.
Where We Bought Our Wedding Rings
Over forty years ago, C and I bought our wedding rings at Pykes in Liverpool.
Pykes Jewellers in Liverpool
The shop has now moved from Exchange Street East to Whitechapel.
Since the day I got married, the white gold ring has stayed on my finger.
Liverpool Parish Church
Liverpool parish church is St. Nick’s by the Pierhead or the Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas to name it correctly.
The pictures show the church and the surrounding gardens.
Like St. Luke’s church, it was seriously damaged in the Second World War.
Liverpool’s Commercial District
Most people forget that Liverpool was and still is in many ways, a prosperous commercial city.
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- Oriel Chambers
I took these pictures as I walked round the city on Saturday morning, before I departed for Blackpool to see Ipswich.
Some of the buildings in the pictures like Liverpool Town Hall and Oriel Chambers are by any standard, some of the best commercial or civic buildings in the country.
The Anonymous Widower 