Back out again - Southport

First trip out this year after picking up Covid at Xmas then a fault with the van meaning we had no heating. Getting this swiftly fixed by SMC and Truma we decided to head up to Southport to explore the area and in particular the Formby beaches; inspired by watching the fabulous Hillsborough drama “Anne” recently.

Used a free pub Britstop stopover on the Tuesday after picking the van up from Newark in the morning following repair we’d limited time as we had to load it again for the 3rd time over last few weeks, abandoned twice. Picked the Broughton Arms near Congleton; car park next to Canal nice views and our back end was pretty much overhanging the water and the ducks. Pub was a

Marston owned, Weatherspoon prices and a cracking pint of Wainwright, and a group of lively but more than typsy Gypsies whilst we were in made it interesting. We settled back in van for a meal after our early doors beverages and by 10 ish the road in front of us, quiet earlier, was now a car park, full of queuing lorries stretching both directions. We found out the M6 was closed and we’d decided to sleep on the diversion route. To be fair it quietened down by midnight and I didn’t disturb till 8:30. It was great for me to wake in the morning with a view across the frosty canal and misty valley opposite from our rear barn doors.

Easy journey then to Southport CAMC site, the van being a pleasure to drive. In its day the town feels like it would have been grand, with impressive old buildings along Lord Street, which is a fine Victorian canopied boulevar. I came here probably around 30 years ago on a training course, and to the amusement of my colleagues was allocated a room with a water bed. Spent the

week feeling sea sick. Enjoyed our 5 mile amble in the afternoon into the town and back along the coast. Back at the van in the evening, settled down with pre dinner drinks enjoyed a meal then got comfortable watching TV before we spotted in the dusk 100 yards away the flashing beacons & reversing sirens of road resurfacing plant on the road next to the site began, continuing until around midnight each night we were there as it turned out.

Thursday was a lovely sunny bright day, and we got the train into Freshfield from Southport for a lovely walk over Formby Golf Course, through NT pine forests and dunes onto the wide and wild beach at Formby. It was nice to see Daisy enjoying running about, and see some sunshine. We sat on the dunes for a picnic lunch and felt the winter warmth of the sun on our faces. Very impressive area, some huge houses and the 2 villages have a nice feel about them although it had clearly been hit by recent storms; lots of trees had

fallen. Walk was just over 7 miles, found it was hard work and I think I maybe still feeling affect from Covid. Hot Chocolate and Cake required, with a welcome stop in Formby village where I felt a real sense of community in the area, which was nice to see.

Friday turned out to be bright and sunny again as we took the train into Liverpool. Great service, frequent and cheap at £15 return for us both but stops very farts end. We enjoyed ambling around Albert Docks for lunch and seeing the Cavern Club area. Obligated to have a few beers before heading back to the van, chip butties for supper to round the day off. We were both impressed with Liverpool, it felt very tidy with lots of life, shops and bars and the investment around the river and Albert Dock shows. The people we met were all very friendly, made a fuss of Daisy wherever we went. Obligatory characters on the train both days though, yesterdays amusing himself by howling at a poor couples Labrador, which left us feeling smug we’d picked the

other end of the carriage to sit. Today’s was a strange chap who ran a mile as we sat near him tutting as we were apparently in his air space. No mask on though..

Travelled home early on the Saturday to get back for the match and spend a few days at home. Great result, a fine fighting 2-0 win over Sheffield United against adversity as the club gets mauled by the EFL. Atmosphere was fabulous, freezing cold though, but we’re off the bottom of the league.

Nights away 2022 - 4
Nights away 2021 - 161
Nights in new Globecar - 11