Visit Lancashire

Exciting Times For Blackpool Zoo

Yesterday we excitedly visited Blackpool Zoo for the official unveiling of the fantastic new-look sea lion enclosure.

The enclosure is home to eight Californian Sea lions, the youngest 10 month old Elmo. Max is the newest member who has just arrived from Madrid Zoo as part of a breeding programme, and he was rather noisy! Due to recent air travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcano, Max also had to travel to the UK by road instead of air from Madrid. 

A Fantastic Eastern Promise

It was a real pleasure to enjoy the spectacular that is the famous Blackpool Tower Circus. In its 116th year, this seasons offering is the Chinese themed spectacular Mooky’s Eastern Promise, featuring Mooky the clown, Mr Boo and a Chinese cast of acrobats, balancing acts, Diablo artists, Shaolin Monks and a whole lot more, under the watchful eye of Ring Master Mr Harvey Seager and produced and directed by Hungarian Mr Laci Endresz Snr.

So there I was in the spectacular Circus Arena, with my wife and two young sons complete with popcorn, chocolate and other refreshments.

A Grand night out

On Friday night we decided to go for a rare night out. No children, so just the two of us for a grown-up night and a plan to drink wine.

In order to decide where to go - the first criteria was that it had to be a taxi ride away. So Blackpool, St. Annes and Lytham was the target area. To narrow it down we used the new Lancashire Food and Drink Guide -  a choice now of only 23 places holding the Taste Lancashire quality award!

It then became a bit random and I decided I fancied a trip back to Cafe Grand at the Grand Hotel at St. Annes. Despite having my 40th party there and evening drinks at my wedding; I've never actually been in the restaurant for a meal.

A Wray Wrevelation

I have to admit that I've not visited the village of Wray before. I've driven past on my way to eat at The Highwayman, stopped before it when picniking at the Crook 'O' Lune and been meaning to visit for years because of the famous Wray Scarecrow Festival.

So when I decided to meet my parents there yesterday, I didn't really have any expectations about the festival or the village itself. We did get an idea how popular it was as we started to queue way before the village. This wasn't a problem though as the organisation of the parking was perfect, lots of people communicating well and directing traffic nicely.

The streets of the village were packed and in practically every house there was at least one small scarecrow in the window. A really great sense of community and we started to get a feel for how much effort the villagers had put into the festival.