Lancashire Hotspot

In the middle of September we had a little trip down south in Vannie to Lancashire; the town of Southport to be specific. We chose Southport Caravan Park for several reasons:

• It was within walking distance of the town itself, being situated directly on the esplanade.
• It was also within walking distance to a main rail station, which would allow us to visit Moira's relations in Wigan.
• It wasn't in Blackpool, don't get me wrong I love Blackpool, but I wouldn't go there with the motorhome.

The trip down was memorable for all the wrong reasons. It was one of the wettest and windiest days of the year, and my window wipers decided to pack in, just an hour into our journey south. Luckily I always carry some tools with me and I managed to repair them at Abington Services (it was just a bit hairy driving the last couple of miles to Abington in the pouring rain with no wipers).

We got to Southport safely and even benefited from a break in the weather long enough to get the awning set up, then it rained again:

View from Vannie at Southport Caravan Park

It rained most of that night so we were confined to barracks until the morning.
We were up bright and early the next morning and luckily the weather had brightened up a bit. Our plan for the day was to meet up with Moira's cousins in Wigan, so after a quick shower and a bite of breakfast we headed off to Southport Railway Station. The trains to Wigan were fairly regular and it was only a half hour journey, passing mostly through farmland and small town stations.
We arrived in Wigan in plenty of time so we had a walk through the town centre followed by a leisurely stroll in Mesnes Park. We even had time for a trip down memory lane by visiting the house where Moira's Gran use to stay:

Wigan Town Centre

Moira's Gran's Old House

We then headed off to the Brocket Arms to meet up with Moira's cousins Christine and Sue (and her husband Ian) for a spot of lunch and a good blether.
After lunch and a few beers we headed back to the rail station for the return trip to Southport.
That evening I went out for a little walk myself along Marine Drive (which was just outside the caravan park) and enjoyed watching the sun going down:

Marine Drive, Southport

Southport Sunset

Being on the west coast Southport has much better sunsets than we get on the east coast of Scotland......... we have better sunrises though!............ that is when the sun does bother to rise?
The next morning we were up bright and early again, but this time we stayed local. First up was a pleasant walk along Marine Parade, a stroll on the beach then a visit to Southport Pier:

Moira windswept on Southport Pier

The tide was quite far out and there was very few people on the beach at this time of year; there were a couple of birds however, including a Black-headed Gull and an immature Herring Gull:

The pier was also the perfect place to provide a panoramic view of the Ribble Estuary coastline, including the distinctive outline of Blackpool Tower and The Pleasure Beach:

If you look closely at the last video you will see a murmuration (of what I presume to be Starlings) heading towards Blackpool.
After visiting the pier we went for a coffee, then a wander around Marine Lake, where the sailing club were out in force in their dingies (or yachts? I don't know the difference):

Sailing on Marine Lake

Plenty of Dingies/Yachts

I think they may be tacking?

We passed by The Lakeside Inn (which claims to be Britain's Smallest Pub) but we didn't go in as there were four people in there already and I hate crowded pubs.

Britain's Smallest Pub  (Rutherfords in Kelso might be smaller?)

We then reached the Promenade (which is basically the boardwalk leading to the Pier) where we posed for some photos:

Moira on Southport Promenade

Marine Lake viewed from the Promenade

Eddie and the Promenade Express

We completed our stroll along Marine Lake before heading back to the caravan Park:

Swans on Marine Lake

We swanned about the campsite for the rest of the day before enjoying a lovely BBQ cooked by my own fair hand. We then went for an evening stroll to enjoy the sunset:

Southport Sunset 1

Southport Sunset 2

Southport Sunset 3

I even tried to capture on video the point when the sun actually dipped below the horizon, but I got bored holding the camcorder. Here is a speeded up version of what I got:

No patience that's my problem! However by not waiting until the sun fully set and heading back to the campsite we were treated to another wonderful spectacle............... a flock of Pink-footed Geese flying right over our heads as they headed to their roosting site:

You will have heard the old saying 'red sky at night, shepherds delight' foretelling good weather:

Pink Sky over Southport Caravan Park

Vannie in the Sunset

Well the next day it poured from morning to night:

Soggy View from Vannie

The weather was so bad we just had to go clothes shopping in Soutport High Street (apparently). I did get a nice new shirt so I can't really complain.
We also went out at night to the nearby Chinese Restaurant for a meal and that was delicious, so not too a bad day after all.
Luckily the next morning was much brighter so we went on our travels again, this time catching the train to the nearby town of Formby. I loved the architecture of the old Formby station building:

Formby Station Frontage

A nice red brick building, typical of the area.
After a bite to eat in a quaint cafe we headed down to the beach and the National Trust site at Freshfields:

Formby Beach looking North

Formby Beach looking South

The walk along the beach was very relaxing and also revealed some interesting industrial archaeology:

Part of an old brick wall

Old drainage pipework

Apparently these are remains of the Harrington Barracks that once stood here during the Second World War; home to the Infantrymen of the King's Regiment.
The base was demolished after the war and most of the rubble used as substrate for the beach car park and the nearby caravan park. Unused rubble was simply buried in the dunes as subsequently tidal erosion has revealed this.
We pressed on along the beach, basking in the sunshine:

Eddie enjoying the sunshine on Formby Beach

We reached the sign directing us to what we were looking for; Red Squirrels and Toilets of course:

Formby Beach Sign

On our way to the Red Squirrel walk we passed a field with lots of Rabbits in it............  I mean LOTS of Rabbits.......... it was like they were growing them in the field!

We carried on to the toilets (which were most welcome) and then on to the part of the woods known to contain Red Squirrels. We walked around the 'Red Squirrel Loop' and saw absolutely no squirrels of any description, red, grey, pink or blue.
On the way out eagle-eyed Moira spotted this little Red Squirrel on the ground, I knew I wouldn't have long before it disappeared in to the tree-tops so I grabbed my trusty camcorder and started filming:

Phew! Glad I managed to get some footage.
The trip to Formby was very enjoyable and was our last outing in the Southport area before we headed home. Overall we had a really good time in Lancashire, visiting relatives, beach walking, promenading, chasing squirrels, shopping, etc. I sure we will return in the not-too-distant future.
I will leave you with one of my favourite road signs........... found on a little road in Freshfields, Formby:

Of Course They Do!

Take Care

Teddyedward