Wednesday 10 November 2010

Helping the North West's Economy and a bit of Deja Vu.

My wife and I (Now doesn't that sound regal!) have recently spent a delightful three nights on the streets of St Annes. (In our motorhome, not literally on the streets!) The weather was horrific; it rained, the wind blew and it wasn't exactly hot but who cares. We visited my daughter, son in law and grand-daughter, we shopped, people watched and a good time was had by all.
We, motorhomers are none too popular in this corner of the north west. Parking on the streets mean we have no hotel costs, which no doubt galls the hotel trade. Possibly the reason there is a profusion of signs in Blackpool in particular reading simply 'cars only'. And it's getting noticeably worse. A pity as my wife tried to boost the local economy on our visit, and I wasn't too far behind. So what did we spend.
For a start there were pubs meals in Wetherspoons: my two sausages, two bacon, four slices of toast, two eggs, a slice of black pudding and a tomato, £3.99; brilliant. Plus numerous cups of coffee and tea. Then there's the gluten free food (my wife's a Coeliac.) Biscuits, cakes, even gluten free liquorish sticks. A petticoat from Fleetwood Market (my wife's purchase, honest!) and posh leggings plus a bright red handbag bought in Blackpool. (My wife again, silly!) Chocolate bargains and other sweets from Freeport. A red coat (no other colour considered) from a charity shop and some serious spending in between; a seven piece bed set, not cheap but well worth the price. Oh, and a fur hat each, very fashionable for 'geriatrics' and worn at Derby County versus Portsmouth FC!
My wife's the main spender in our house, but I didn't do so bad either. An Elvis musical figurine purchased will take pride of place in my 'bar'. (Plays a non too musical version of Love Me Tender') and I couldn't resist the cruets imprinted with pictures of Cliff, Elvis and the Beatles. To complete the 'spending spree, books from my favourite charity shop, Barnado's in Lytham, price five for £1.99. (A Spread of Over 40's Jokes; A Handbook for All Word Puzzling; a book on Crime and Detection; The A-Z of Behaving Badly and Britain Land of Contrasts. Add fuel before returning home and I reckon there's £2oo plus gone into the north west economy; recession, what recession! Please think twice, north west councils, there's a lot of us and plenty of places that would welcome our 'dosh'.
And so to the deja vu. (See post dated 23rd April 2008). We spent the last hour of our short visit in St Annes. Hurrying back to our rather expensive motorhome we espied outside B and M a somewhat forlorn seller of 'The Big Issue'. I did the usual, avoided eye contact and hurried past. The wind was blowing, it was cold, my pockets were nearly empty and I needed the warmth of my 'motor'. And so to home, back to my comfort zone, a smashing break, but its home where we're happiest. Except that I retraced my steps before I left St Annes, had a chat with the young man outside B and M and bought a Big Issue. Evidently he was Romanian, selling the Big Issue with quiet dignity to keep body and soul together in a foreign, not always hospitable country. I am not interested in the arguments concerning immigration issues and the rights and wrongs of 'our country'. All I know he was a pleasant, dignified young man. I was glad, for whatever reasons I had returned and purchased one of his papers.

14 comments:

the fly in the web said...

And I'm glad you did too.

Valerie said...

You've got a warm heart, Ken. I'm glad you went back to that young man. I don't always buy a Big Issue, like when I have no change, but I do speak to the sellers. Some people merely give them sour looks and walk on.

Sueann said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday. And red works for me too! Also pink!! Ha!!
Too bad you don't have beautiful parks to stash your motor home there?
That would be ideal!
Hugs
SueAnn

Lane Mathias said...

Wetherspoons are excellent value for money aren't they.

The lady in our town who sells The Big Issue calls everyone Mother - I think she's Romanian too. I'm glad you retraced your steps to your chap.

Molly Potter said...

My husband and I (we are regal) often return home to find we have both bought the Big Issue. it's actually a good read sometimes.

It must be much more miserable selling it this time of year!!

Unknown said...

It does sound as if you had a "regal" old time of it Ken, and I'm so glad you helped out the young man.

fizzycat said...

That was nice Ken.

Gill - That British Woman said...

that was very nice of you.

We used to go to Blackpool every year when we lived in Britain, as it was just "down the road" from us.

Gill in Canada

Troy said...

You certainly got some great bargains (meals and goods) but quite why you wanted a surplus Butlins entertainer escapes me!
(PS: your team gave us a good thrashing on Tuesday - I was there!).

Anonymous said...

Smiling, Ken. I'm glad you bought that paper, too.

The bike shed said...

Not been here for a while so catching up on your recent posts - always something interesting and to make me smile

Lakeland Jo said...

I would have expected nothing less Mr Ken Warmheart.
I don't think motor home folk have too good a time of it here either. If they do park illegally I think they are pretty swiftly moved on.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Thanks to everyone. Interesting that most of us think the same way, very positive. People do care for others in the main I'm sure.

Slommler, what is it about red i Wonder.

Lane, I like Wetherspoons in the main, wonder what they pay their staff.

Gill In a way Blackpool never changes. Brash but beautiful.

Troy
Which one's the Butlins man? Cliff?
Didn't like to mention the football. we look promising but its a long way to go.

Jo
You're right bout the Lakes and motorhomes. They like our money but not our size.

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