Blackpool

Blackpool 9 & 10 Aug
We got up nice and early to pack up and get the car loaded in Newcastle, so that we could drive to Blackpool early enoughto get a full day in at the pleasure beach before we went to stay at our first couchsurfing place - with 'Santa'.
As we drove along the promenade into Blackpool, there were lights hanging across the road all over the place, a bit like it was Christmas- but on a really big scale. Josh exclaimed that he thought like we had just entered Willy Wonkas chocalate factory. We drove past Ripleys Believe it or Not, and made a mental note to visit later that day. We couldnt miss the pleasure beach, so many rollercoasters - no one could miss it!
As we entered the park, there was a huhe Noah's Ark - we discovered later that it was one of the original rides when the park was first built, but has since been decommissioned. Josh thought the aim of the park, was to fit as many rollercoasters as possible, into a space not much bigger than rainbows end! We separated up for the morning and then met up again at a show. Dom and I went on a train ride, and a ride on the monorail, we also went on some really old rockets/planes that hung on giant cables and then went out sideways as the ride spun around. We also rode on some horses that raced each other along roller coaster like rails - Dom and I road the horse together. We were feeling a bit hungry, so bought a hot dog and drink for 4.90. I thought 4.90 was cheap for a place like that... but... as i was eating the hotdog, i realised i hadnt paid $4.90 for them, they were $9.80 each... arrgghh i forgot the currency thing, and thought for a moment that i was paying in dollars....ripped off, but i made sure i converted everything else after that in Blackpool.
We all met up at the Hot Ice show - we prebooked the tickets online. It was an ice skating show, with all the glitz and glamour of an English show. It didnt take long however to realise why it was called Hot Ice - the performers were wearing skimpy revealing clothes throughout the show.  Hahaha made it a little more enjoyable for the boys - no photos though, as we got told to turn the cameras off.
After the show we separated again, with an agreement to meet at the car at 6. Dom and I queued for the racecourse race. It was a rollercoaster but just had a bar that came down across your waist. I assurred Dom that there wouldnt be any upside down loops, as there  were no bars for your shoulders. Trusting me she agreed to come on - and it never went upside down. But it was a big dipper kind of ride, went up and down up and down, like going over multiple bridges, where your tummy drops, the only difference was the hills were steeper and it went way faster. Dom was frightened and teary, after that she wouldnt talk to me for a little bit, and was convinced that i knew what the ride was like before we went on - but i didnt.  We ended up going in the arcades and played the 2p machines.
Once we all met up in the car we found the local tescos and bought their meals deals for dinner - sandwiches a bag of chips and a coke for 2.50. - half the price of our hotdogs. We then headed to our couchsurfers- the tomtom tried to take us down one way streets (in the wrong direction), and then at one point we found ourselves guided into a bus and taxi only road - by the time i realised it was too late - not only was it a bus and taxi road, but it was also one way... oh my. Eventually we found the address, and our larger than life host, bounced outside and instructed us to follow him as he ran along the pavement to a place where we could park the car. It was really nice to meet such a friendly person, after bein directed by a naughty tomtom! I asked him what would happen about us going in the wrong lane - he said that they rarely issue tickets. fingers crossed- lol.
We unpacked the van and went inside and met Daves wife Claire and his two lovely daughters Steph and Holly. The baby had bright ginger hair and brilliant blue eyes - gorgeous. We had time for a cup of tea, and then Dave offered to show us the comedy carpet in town. Off we all went with him, on what turned out to be a guided tour of Blackpool. We walked along the promenade, whilst he chatted to us about our surroundings. The comedy carpet, is an area on the prom, where the ground has been covered in quotes from English comedians and tv shows. One of this things that stood out as we walked was the number of arcades there are stretching the length of the long seafront. We walked along one of the piers, and saw a two storey carousel- apparently there are only two in Europe (perhaps even the world).  After a tour, we returned to the house and chatted.
On day 2 we got up early and walked into the tower- a nice stroll taking about 15 mins. The first thing we did was grab our tickets for the tower, and ballroom - we tried to get circus tickets, but the only day they dont operate is Fridays so we missed out. We got the lift to the 5th floor of the tower - before we continued further we watched the 4d movie about Blackpool - 4 d is great. At the top of the tower Josh dared dom to stand on the glass floor. Initially she was scared, but eventually became brave enough to sit down on the glass panel for a photo - Dillon and Josh were up on the other floor at that time so didnt get to witness it. But Dom had the photo to prove it! We went in the ballroom for about five minutes. The decor was amazing, and some people were waltzing around (at 11am). I cant dance but asked Dillon Josh and Dom if they would like to dance with me- none of them did so we left after 5 mins. Staff commented that it was a short visit, we agreed but reassurred them that the ballroom was lovely. We then walked up to Madame Tussauds  they had different figures to London, we enjoyed most of it, but just walked through the soccer section, cos English soccer didnt really mean that much to us.
After Madame Tussauds we decided to walk up to Ripleys Believe it or Not at the other end of the beach. It seemed to take forever (over an hour) in the blazing hot sun- but eventually we got there. Dillon and Josh enjoyed themselves looking around, but after the Pleasure Beach and everything else, Ripleys was a big disappointment. I wouldnt recommend it- unless it was the first place in England you have been to.
Instead of walking back along the promeade in the heat, we caught a horse and cart back. It was really nice travelling along the prom at a horses pace in an old fashioned cart. After our ride we made our way back to home via Primark. Dillon loved Primark, and got himself some new clothes.
We then headed South to Aunty Dolly and Uncle Tony's in Uttoxeter.