I was a little delicate to say the least when I woke up at 8 am. We danced the night away till about 1.30 am last night when I collapsed in bed.
We had a final farewell breakfast with my Fitsteps family before they all departed for Glasgow. It was a bit of an emotional farewell as I realise I’m not going to see most of them until next year. So it was great having an intense weekend together with loads of photographs and memories that will stay with me on the rest of my journey.
I met Bev and Denys in Asda café and handed off the surplus requirements such as the pink cowboy hats, my dress, Danny’s slippers and stone baking tray to Denys to take back with him. That left a bit more space in Priscilla thank goodness.
We then went to collect Poppy who was her usual bouncy self on return from kennels and had that familiar kennel smell about her. She was also pleased to see Bev.
Then it was the obligatory handover of Priscilla to Bev, including a test drive and familiarisation with all the gadgets gizmos etc.
We parked up and she threw me and Poppy out beside the pier on Blackpool promenade. Poppy and I walked in the final throws of storm Darragh along the promenade. All the beaches along the seafront were closed with big chains, preventing anyone going down to the sea and the beach patrol vehicle drove up and down the promenade.
However further down the coast, the sea had started retreating and left a vast expanse of sand. So it was safe to go down onto the beach. Eventually, I let Poppy off the lead so she could have a good run around. I spent a while taking lots of video and photos of her, but she wasn’t playing ball and cooperating very much.
The wind was still so strong, fortunately it was behind us and it was blowing the top layer of the sand off like a desert sandstorm and it looked like the sand was shifting in front of our eyes. It reminded me of the sandstorm we experienced in the Sahara. But this time I didn’t have my sunglasses or my shemagh on.
It was fabulous to be back on the beach, which stretched out for miles right the way down to Lytham Saint Anne’s where we walked underneath the pier. Then naughty Poppy decided because she was off the lead it was a good opportunity for her to go find things to eat which she shouldn’t be eating. Of course and she shot off way ahead. So back on the lead she went.
I met up with Bev who had parked in the hospital car park and we had our first meal together, Indian based with rice and chapatis.
I was just reviewing some of the photos and videos from last night and enjoying watching Fiona dancing energetically. She’s been so tired all week bless her so it was great to see her enjoying herself on the dance floor.
Then I received a message from Fiona R with a fantastic video message from the amazing Angela Rippon giving me a big shout out for what I’m doing. Wow so astounding and brilliant. I spent over an hour trying to post it on my socials with limited success.
After this frustrating exercise Bev and I went for a drive through the illuminations at Blackpool so that we could see them in all their splendour. Some parts lack lustre, but one area was splendid. I suppose when you are in your 60s it takes a lot to impress you!!
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