UK Trip - Part 2

My visit being in early spring, the garden was not looking its best, but signs of the gardeners' work could still be seen, as the photos below show.

The early spring garden.

Orchids in the living room...

... and Bird of Paradise flower in the conservatory.

Catherine and Andrew, making good use of their 'flexitime', took a day off work and we had a little outing to Blackpool. Blackpool, as a typical seaside resort, is very quiet outside the season but the weather was kind to us and we had an enjoyable walk along the newly-renovated South Shore Promenade.

Part of the South Shore with some modern art in the foreground and the Big One rollercoaster in the background.

The photo doesn't do justice to the rollercoaster as it is not clear just how huge it is. Certainly nothing for me!

Hire bicycles in the foreground and the famous Blackpool Tower in the background.

The gang on the promenade (before getting the obligatory Blackpool Rock).

Everyone, with the possible exception of Paul, who voiced some discontent, enjoyed the trip and the bracing sea air.


In the evening, I was invited round to Catherine and Andrew's for a meal, followed by a trip to the local. We went to the Farmer's Arms and I was able to see at first hand the slow death of the British public house; the place was empty. There are many reasons for the demise of traditional rural pubs: the ban on smoking, very cheap beer from supermarkets, the growth of gigantic regimented pub chains, the stratification of British society so people only spend time with others of the same class, but whatever the reason, it's a bit of a shame. Mind you, the levels of drunkenness in UK cities are appalling, so a more censorious attitude to alcohol is certainly not the cause.

Catherine hard at work beading.

Jonathan sitting on the sofa with Paddington and an economics textbook.