Fylde Coast February 2012

Just back from a short break for three days on the Fylde Coast of the North West UK, anyone who knows me will know the fascination of the sea and the tranquillity is really gives me, it shocked me to see that I had never posted anything on my Blog for so long, so sorry.

Such lovely places on the Fylde Coast starting off with Lytham-St-Annes a real conservative respectful area and peaceful, a lovely pier, but sadly for me the flow of the what is only a river is not what I look for.

Blackpool built up a real cheap image full of small B&B's and was stuck in the 50's image for far too long, some amazing piers, a large pleasure beach fair ground and some rough sea's to be seen and especially at this time of the year. Slowly the town is dragging itself into this century and the long promenade is getting a real update but it will take time for the many small hotels and B&B's to follow. There has been a superb tram system all along this seafront and promenade with both single and double decker trams, lit up so well for the annual illumination show of the resort which takes place from late August to early November, but time is moving on and the council wish to see the tram system become faster and more modern which will see the population of the area use it more and not see it as a tourist attraction, it re-opens at Easter will be interesting to see how it progresses.

The 4 Star Hotel we stayed in is in such a lovely setting part of the DeVere Hotel group, in it's own large grounds, I would not like to guess what the land must be worth now. It offers such a large drive way from the main road and then you are in a real peaceful setting, 18 hole golf course, spa, swimming pool inside and out & gym everything you need. It has just been completely re-furbished to be a DeVere Village Hotel while keeping it's original name of The Heron's Reach. A friend and myself differ on the new look, they have gone for what I would call a modern perhaps chic/boutique look which some may seem dark? but you sleep in the dark! haha still good food and service and we received an offer which is just unbelievable cost wise.

We visited Cleveleys a little further along the coast, such childhood memories as one of my Aunts had a big caravan looking towards the sea and beach and we used to go every October half term for the illuminations, now it is a modern Esplanade gone is the caravan park for a new cinema, pizza restaurant and pub with food. The day we visited I have never seen waves so big, in fact the foam produced made you think it was snowing.

The last place of a visit was Fleetwood once a big fishing port, we used to always visit when children as they had a large inside market on Monday and Thursday's and it was also a nice tram ride. Across the estuary is Knott's End and there is a winter hourly ferry, up to now I had never taken the ferry, it as either been cancelled/closed or the weather not good enough, but this time we did make the trip and the photo above shows the ferry coming into land as we stood on the jetty, when we arrived it pulled close to the top but by the time we returned you can see how the water had gone out with the tide.

A great restful break, one day I know I wish fulfil my wish and live facing the sea!

ISLE OF MAN

Just back from a weeks break in the Isle of Man a place that I have loved since my first visit as an eight year old on a family day trip taking a steam boat trip on what seemed like a ocean going Liner from Fleetwood sailing three and a half hours over the Irish Sea.

After that first visit we started to return for two weeks each year on our family holidays, this even continued when I started to go on holiday with mates when aged 15. There was a gap once I started to travel all across the world for holidays but in the late 90's I made several visits again but that was the last time until this year.

There is something "magic" about the Island which just has around 76,500 population (which can be doubled during the summer months with visitors) These days you are most likely to travel to the Island from England by the modern Isle of Man Steam Packet Mannanan which holds up to 200 cars and 480 passengers which cuts over an hour off the journey by this fastcraft. The photograph above is one I took of Mannanan leaving Douglas for its sailing to Liverpool.

Going to the Isle of Man is like going home for me and now I am sure it is a place that I want to live and not just holiday there, I have never felt so relaxed, now I just need to win the lottery?

The Royal Wedding - William & Catherine

It seems so long since I last posted a Blog, why? I am not sure but the happenings of the weekend seemed the right time to out down some thoughts!

Currently not only the UK are going through difficult times with the financial crisis and cuts this is bringing about, also the many wars and conflicts with sad loss of innocent life and especially those who sacrifice their lives to bring about peace.

But this May Bank Holiday here in the UK not only the weather has brought sunshine into many peoples lives but Friday one of the biggest television audiences for a long time and billions also worldwide were able to share in the Wedding of Prince William to then Catherine Middleton, identified as a commoner. It was a gift to be able to share in the Wedding Service which reflected the wishes of the young couple, the fine music and words expressed all were totally right for the occasion.

A few people outside of the UK have said why was this wedding given so much coverage, here in the UK it is because the majority still respect The Royal Family and especially currently Her Majesty The Queen who has given her life to public service.

William and Catherine now become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, many feel that the Prince has had a sheltered life but like his brother Prince Harry they have followed the fine example of the late mother Princess Diana, the way they have given so much service to charity work and both boys serve their country well. Prince Harry went off to Afghanistan and served, The Duke of Cambridge William had qualified as a helicopter pilot and currently serves on the Isle of Anglesey off Wales in the rescue service, not a sheltered life. Instead of going off on honeymoon both The Duke and Duchess will return to Anglesey tomorrow (Tuesday 3 May) and William back to serving in the RAF, it is also being reported that it is expected that William will also serve in The Falklands for around two months to complete his training away from his Wife like any serving officer.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge identify with the young people of today and this is returned with respect, there are many young people from successful families worldwide that do not work and give no service, this is not the way life will be for William & Catherine, one day he will become King with Catherine as his Queen Consort.

I like many wish The Duke and Duchess William and Catherine every happiness together, Friday they stood like any young couple do before God and made their vows may this carry them through the life of service they will carry out willingly.

LADY GREY IN LONDON - DIOR - RUSSELL TOVEY

I have a real love for short film and how dynamic it can be in such a short period of time, but never did I feel an advertiser/product could be the same and have real impact.

During 2010 DIOR have used a campaign which has taken in places such as Singapore but today Wednesday 8 December was the worldwide premier for the latest and last in the series "Lady Grey in London" never was a short so anticipated and I have seen such a strong promotional pre campaign and then a taster.

"Lady in Grey" by John Cameron Mitchell contains the talents of SIR IAN MCKELLAN, MARION COTTILARD & RUSSELL TOVEY, I have so much respect for Russell and also Sir Ian to see them in this short and for it to be so amazing is so tremendous. Check out the full crew in the credits and you just wonder how much such a production will have cost? so well done DIOR!

The short film industry is so Vibrant at present here in the UK, another much anticipated film comes from PLATO FILMS titled "Six Minutes of Freedom" featuring a superb upcoming young actor NICO MIRALLEGRO it is written and directed by KEITH MACKIN & JOHN RECK produced by JACK SUCKLING. I just wonder what producers like this could do with the money that DIOR will have spent?

Birthday Boy - Russell Tovey

One actor I really admire and have followed his career for many years is Russell Tovey, be it classic BBC Drama and "Little Dorrit" or his latest series on BBC3 "Him & Her" or the award winning "History Boy's" both on stage in London, Honk Kong, Australia and New York along with the hit movie of the same title with Russell you get a really sincere portrayal of the character he is playing.

Today is Russell's 29th Birthday and a personal photo taken opening his birthday presents for me sums him up and his amazing warm personality, the gift is a badger calender which was featured in the comedy series "Him & Her"

Whitby Winter Break November 2010

It was only late August that I visited Whitby in North Yorkshire for the first time and sadly it was just for three days and in that time I just fell in love with the area and the North Sea coast line.

So last week I just had to take another break and visit Whitby once more and even though during the week there were some strong winds it never took away the enjoyment it gave me. I just love the sea and rough waves as the photo above shows on Whitby Pier are such beauty as long as you are well wrapped up to keep warm.

This time I also visited Saltburn which is north from Whitby travelling into the Cleveland area, I had seen this old resort on the truly amazing BBC2 series "Coast" Saltburn was developed by an industrialist at the time for a place of relaxation for his hard workers, he even built an Hotel specially for them (now developed into Apartments) and a pier with the oldest remaining water balance cliff lift. The town was developed around the railway which enters along the coast and the streets were built on a grid system as used in The States.

As you may guess I am really into coastal areas and the sea but especially those with rugged cliffs, I wonder where the next visit will be to?

DAVID OSMOND - NEW ALBUM - ROAD DELIVERED

Great news that DAVID OSMOND is set to release his second album this year titled "Road Delivered" and even better still this time around the album is Inspirational and the digi-pack even has a bonus CD with many favourite Hymns done in David's own way.

The album is released on August 10 and this time as well as being available in all Deseret Stores you will find it on all popular major music websites such as Amazon, CD Universe, CD Wow etc.

* UK Fans can order from;

www.cdwow.com/CD/david-osmond-road-less-travelled/dp/15439313#=4229