I Don't Like to be Beside the Seaside

The Blackpool Silhouette
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Oh dear! I have fond memories of Blackpool. Granted these memories were of holidays with my grandparents when i was 5 and 6 but it is amazing how age can give a whole new perspective on things.

I remember dodgem cars, pony rides on the beach, fairy floss and playing in the sand. What i saw on my return 20 years later was ancient fun fares, knackered ponies, cheap hamburgers and dirty beaches.

What i saw on my return 20 years later was ancient fun fares, knackered ponies, cheap hamburgers and dirty beaches.

I admit we were there on a freezing cold day and most things seemed closed or empty, but the Blackpool of today seems sleazy. Maybe it was always sleazy and my young eyes never saw that side of things. I just wish i had stayed away and kept my good memories in tact.

We only came here on the way back home. I wanted to show Jane where i used to come on holidays and possibly give Jack a go on the dodgems - no go, too young! Instead we saw dirty streets, dodgy young hoodies terrorising poor Chinese takeaways and saddos playing the pokie machines at all hours of the day and night. Oh well, at least the tower was still impressive, especially at dusk when the huge outline seemed to dwarf the town with its presence.

Blackpool? Good if you are a kid, on a buck's night, or a young thug with nothing better to do than wander the streets.