Blackpool
We went to Blackpool because we wanted to have a seaside experience and needed to get closer to the Manchester airport. Our B&B was outstanding--the New Guilderoy is run by Simon and Rhona and treated us like royalty! The full English breakfasts included in the low price were deeeeeelicious! You got to pick any or all of : Stewed fruit, cold meat and cheese, yogurt, cold cereal--and then the hot food of eggs, beans, hash browns, blood pudding, fried mushrooms and toast. Yikes ! They had 23 rooms, a huge breakfast room, lounges and our favourite--the retro styled bar area they called the snug. Simon delighted us with stories -- even telling us about his many world travels. An accomplished cook he prepared a scrumptious chicken curry for us and steak/ale pie.
When we reached Blackpool I wanted to see the ____. My mouth dropped as I saw it was low tide and the beach went out for half a mile. Then I saw all the piers with their amusement rides and attractions. It was a wonderland! We walked and walked and saw all these marshals with signs on the path- --over 2700 women were on their way towards us-- the Blackpool run for cancer. It was a sea of pink, old and young women all united. Ed and I enjoyed the amusement park where Ed became a kid again looking at all the rides. We went on the steeplechase--where life sized horses took you up and down, speeding around corners and over hills. Great fun and we beat another couple! Another day we went to the Blackpool tower which dominates the city. On the third floor is a famous ballroom where tea dances were held every afternoon. We watched the skillful couples do the tango, waltz, quick step, cha cha cha-- all to the music of live organ music. It was hilarious and entertaining-- like a concert . We didn't know all the fancy steps to these ballroom dances but did give it a whirl in a corner. We had afternoon tea with the most gorgeous scones and double cream.
Liverpool
I really wanted to do a Beatles tour of their hometown and so we took the train and went to the Beatles Museum and on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus Ride. I learned sooooooo much. We saw Paul McCartney's humble family home where they wrote over 100 songs. We went into the rebuilt Cavern Club where the band played almost -----__times. I saw the guitar book that George and Paul used to learn to play guitar on their own. I learned that Ringo replaced Pete Best because he was a far better drummer and that he would bring in the girls because he had such style.