There are only 4 different types of expression on the faces of those waiting in line to ride the Pepsi Max Rollercoaster. The first is anxious, the second is buddist-cow-calm, the third smiling or joking to hide the terror and fourth yawning.
The Pepsi Max Rollercoaster or 'The Big One' at Blackpool's pleasure beach is 213 feet tall. This was until recent times the tallest fastest rollercoaster in Europe, it spans the length and bredth of the pleasure beach giving a white knuckle view of the attractions thereabouts. The initial climb to 231 feet is followed by an almost vertical drop and a hard right turn sending the occupant spiraling down to what under normal circumstances would be a quick, mangled death.
Waiting in line is the perfect place to get your affairs in order. Ok, I know the thing has been running all day without technical hitch. The track has been walked by some clearly foolish gentleman this morning, and he gives it the all clear. The other folks are giving no thought to the afterlife outcome of an unfortunate parting of car from track, but i can't help but think: have i accomplished all i wanted in this life? If i met blackpool pleasure beach pavement would I be happy to check out to the next life? A sobering thought indeed that did not actually seem to be sobering up the hen party that was in the queue in front of me.
Its times like this, or when people are passengers in my car when i'm driving, that prayer does not seem like a bad idea. I must admit to, rather selfishly, praying that Joanne and I would come out the other side of this experience of speed and G force unscathed. God did indeed follow through and the 9 or 10 times that we rode the 'Big One' over our stay in Blackpool we never as much gained a scratch.
Blackpool can be subdivided into 4 categories. Amusement arcade, Casino, Club or Burger / other fried food joint. Don't get me wrong, I actually quite like the place, its tackier than drying super glue and looks like it could generally do with a bit of a clean, but it has a certain charm. This charm that i speak of is similar to that which you find in Portrush, Northern Ireland, Niagra town, near Niagra Falls in Canada or any other carnival town. Don't scratch to far beneathe the surface! It's cheap tea and food, promise of easy money and cheap thrills are what sells it to the weekenders who come in from all over the UK and abroad to sample its dubious candyfloss delights.
While Jo and I were there we met nice people randomly, either through the place we stayed or sharing queue or dinner table. One of the more interesting encounters was at the pleasure beach when we were sharing a filthy outdoor restaurant table with a couple who's children and grandchildren were here for a day out. Peter, the grandfather, had grown up in Blackpool and was telling me of how it once was the place to be. Every weekend he and his friends would come to the pleasure beach, and when he grew older they'd still head down from the places they lived. Now Blackpool is the domain of stag do's and hen parties. There was actually a tear in his eye as he described the decline of the town he loved into a weekend binge drinkers paradise.
That being said, Jo and I saw very little actual trouble. Families were the vast majority of the population during the weekdays. It was only when we were coming home on the flight back to Belfast International that I heard any serious rowdy behavior, from Belfast chavs no less. On the whole we had a good time, apart from Jo getting a bad cold which marred the final days.
The B&B we stayed at was called The Caroldene Hotel, situated in Woodfield Road, slap bang between the centre and south piers. We were practically on the promenade where you can catch a tram to either end of the town for a couple of quid. The Caroldene was clean and cheerfully run by the lovely Sue, who chased after our every need.
Blackpool should be experienced, at least once. Ride 'The Big One' go up the tower, have a cut price hot dog, have a flutter on the races, take in a show on the pier, visit the wax works. Most of all buy a stick of rock. Just avoid the hen parties!
Currently Listening to: "We're all going on a summer holiday" Cliff RIchard
The Pepsi Max Rollercoaster or 'The Big One' at Blackpool's pleasure beach is 213 feet tall. This was until recent times the tallest fastest rollercoaster in Europe, it spans the length and bredth of the pleasure beach giving a white knuckle view of the attractions thereabouts. The initial climb to 231 feet is followed by an almost vertical drop and a hard right turn sending the occupant spiraling down to what under normal circumstances would be a quick, mangled death.
Waiting in line is the perfect place to get your affairs in order. Ok, I know the thing has been running all day without technical hitch. The track has been walked by some clearly foolish gentleman this morning, and he gives it the all clear. The other folks are giving no thought to the afterlife outcome of an unfortunate parting of car from track, but i can't help but think: have i accomplished all i wanted in this life? If i met blackpool pleasure beach pavement would I be happy to check out to the next life? A sobering thought indeed that did not actually seem to be sobering up the hen party that was in the queue in front of me.
Its times like this, or when people are passengers in my car when i'm driving, that prayer does not seem like a bad idea. I must admit to, rather selfishly, praying that Joanne and I would come out the other side of this experience of speed and G force unscathed. God did indeed follow through and the 9 or 10 times that we rode the 'Big One' over our stay in Blackpool we never as much gained a scratch.
Blackpool can be subdivided into 4 categories. Amusement arcade, Casino, Club or Burger / other fried food joint. Don't get me wrong, I actually quite like the place, its tackier than drying super glue and looks like it could generally do with a bit of a clean, but it has a certain charm. This charm that i speak of is similar to that which you find in Portrush, Northern Ireland, Niagra town, near Niagra Falls in Canada or any other carnival town. Don't scratch to far beneathe the surface! It's cheap tea and food, promise of easy money and cheap thrills are what sells it to the weekenders who come in from all over the UK and abroad to sample its dubious candyfloss delights.
While Jo and I were there we met nice people randomly, either through the place we stayed or sharing queue or dinner table. One of the more interesting encounters was at the pleasure beach when we were sharing a filthy outdoor restaurant table with a couple who's children and grandchildren were here for a day out. Peter, the grandfather, had grown up in Blackpool and was telling me of how it once was the place to be. Every weekend he and his friends would come to the pleasure beach, and when he grew older they'd still head down from the places they lived. Now Blackpool is the domain of stag do's and hen parties. There was actually a tear in his eye as he described the decline of the town he loved into a weekend binge drinkers paradise.
That being said, Jo and I saw very little actual trouble. Families were the vast majority of the population during the weekdays. It was only when we were coming home on the flight back to Belfast International that I heard any serious rowdy behavior, from Belfast chavs no less. On the whole we had a good time, apart from Jo getting a bad cold which marred the final days.
The B&B we stayed at was called The Caroldene Hotel, situated in Woodfield Road, slap bang between the centre and south piers. We were practically on the promenade where you can catch a tram to either end of the town for a couple of quid. The Caroldene was clean and cheerfully run by the lovely Sue, who chased after our every need.
Blackpool should be experienced, at least once. Ride 'The Big One' go up the tower, have a cut price hot dog, have a flutter on the races, take in a show on the pier, visit the wax works. Most of all buy a stick of rock. Just avoid the hen parties!
Currently Listening to: "We're all going on a summer holiday" Cliff RIchard
