Day at the seaside

On the Sunday before I began my mammoth trip back down to London, we went to Lytham-St-Anns and the beach. There is a cute little pond and garden, off the sea front. We had a walk around and spotted baby ducks.

Into the cave!

Baby ducks.

We headed to the arcade where Katherine, Phillip and Joseph are collecting tickets. Joseph is a pro at the game and wracked up 200 tickets!

Playing bowling.

Squirting fish

We walked along the pier to the end. It was quite cool so there weren't many people on the beach. And the sea was out in the far distance. It looks a lot warmer than it was.

My friends and gorgeous nephew.

After a walk, we had lunch and got me the train station. Instead of the 3 hrs and 3 trains it normally takes, it took 2 buses and 4 trains and over 7 hrs. It was a rather circuitous route where the guy at the final barrier told me my ticket wasn't valid but I nearly started crying so he let me through. 

I spent the bank holiday Monday chilling out and sleeping!

Barrows and Bikes

I am slowly catching up on my May adventures. The bank holiday weekend, I headed up to Preston to see Katherine and family. In hind sight that was not the best weekend to travel as most of the trains were cancelled on the Sunday and it took me over 7 hrs to get home but it was a good weekend. On the Saturday, Katherine, Joseph and I headed to Scorton to see their Bikes and Barrows festivals (actually what is says on the tin). We got there for opening as we had to be back for 1.30pm. Turns out most things didn't open until later but we did wonder around and see the displays.

Spot the bike.

Panda-monia.  

The red barrows - our favourite

Guess the Queen song.

Hairy Bikers tribute.

After a wonder we found a play ground for Joseph (and therefore often us) to run around.

Giggles.

I gave Joseph the giggles trying to catch his feet on the swing and he got the hiccups. I tried to feel bad about his but he is so damn cute!

We stopped briefly at the birds but Joseph was more interested in the hill for some reason.

In the afternoon we meet up with Tricia (I haven't seen her in a few years) and then went for Joseph's swim class. He is so good.

Scarecrow Festival

This weekend I went up to Preston to spend the weekend with Katherine, Joseph and Phillip. The trip up was interesting. I managed to book a seat at a table. Opposed a very drunk couple who were very friendly but the lady was a little bit much. I managed to diffuse the angry fight over Brexit and Trump which she tried to instigate in the carriage (I agreed with the other sensible people but didn't fancy a fight) by talking about the weather. A lot. Trust me to end up near a trump lover. (On the way back I put my headphones in before I even got on the train to avoid this same thing.) 

I might be biased but my little Joseph is the cutest (along with my other niece and nephew of course). But he is an amazing little gentleman, so polite and sweet. On Saturday morning, even though I am certain he didn't remember me, he was so sweet and friendly and later in the weekend asked were Auntie Katie went when I went to the loo. Such a cutie. 

On Saturday Katherine, Joseph and I headed out to the first ever Garstang scarecrow festival. It was really cute with the whole town getting involved.

2 of my favourite people

The theme was films and children's TV. Some were obvious; some not so much.

Flower pot men and Weed

Aptly creepy Magic Roundabout  

Pirates of the Caribbean.

Sponge Bob

Postman Pat, sponsored by the post office.

Joseph introduced me to the new Postman Pat. I am disgusted. He is so stupid now and is the one who causes most of the issues. I swear he used to be smarter. Thankfully Fireman Sam is still smart and sensible, though someone who should have put Norman in Juvie by now!

Looking suspicious.

I have zero clue. Drunk Lady?

Wally was disappointingly easy to find.

Funny bones.

Minions.

There were some which stood out. The Little mermaid (who did look a little "Hello Sailor" granted) was made by the local florist and had a tail made of leaves. The Simpsons were also really good.

I also loved one of the Peter Rabbit scenes, mainly for the little disappearing bunny butts in the hedge.

But I think the best was made by the local primary school. They did "the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" with an amazing lion and a witch with hay dreadlocks. 

And special mention to the the Batman with the little crotchet robin on his shoulder.  

We left after lunch so did miss some, but a little boy needed a nap before his swimming lesson. Which was so cute!

Preston

I spent this weekend up in Preston, visiting Katherine, Philip and the gorgeous little Joseph who is growing up way too quickly. On Saturday, when Philip was at the cricket, the rest of us went to a pottery place in Walton-le-Dale where you can paint your own pottery. It was brilliant. If I was back up there, I would do this every week!

Happy faces.

"More!" paint required

Sticking his tongue out at me.

You can choose your own pottery and colours. I choose a reindeer tea light holder (ready for my christmas decorations) and Katherine choose a super cure giraffe. I will post another picture of the final thing when I get it (Katherine will have to post it down as they need to fire it).

My "masterpiece"

Katherine painting the cutest giraffe

After the pottery (and a bit of clean-up) we had lunch and headed to Worden Park. Joseph fell asleep in the car and didn't wake up when Katherine put him in his buggy. He just assumed a pose and carried in sleeping.

Tough life

 We walked around the gardens and did a bit of shopping (more christmas presents sorted).

300 yr old Cedar of Lebanon 

We decided not to go in the maze (I am really not a fan as I hate being lost) so carried on to the woods (and got lost there instead). 

Super roots.

Joseph finally woke up and helped us in our walk, pointing all the things we might have otherwise missed. :)

Shy

Tickles

 The long walk was rewarded with an ice-cream, happily received by all.

Ice-cream 

Enjoying life

 Then off to the playground.

Hiding 

Playing shop 

Woohoo!

Sadly we stayed too long on the playground and missed the train (it finished for the day) so headed back and enjoyed watching Despicable Me and playing.
The adults chilled out that night with pasta, wine and a movie.
Today, the weather was not so good. So we did a bit of shopping in Preston and checked out the new places and developments before I had to get the train home.