13/11/2023 - 'A coach and a springy floor' by David

Since we got together, Alice and I have loved a coach trip. We don't have to drive, all the days are organised, and we can just relax, while we listen to our music, nibble, snooze, talk and laugh.

Of course, now that I have MND, a coach trip is perfect, as I can't walk too far and Alice is always there to hold me steady or pull me up a hill.

We set off for Blackpool on Monday and the journey north was lovely. The array of Autumnal colours on the trees, reflected from the low sun was just beautiful and we watched counties come and go as the sun and rain fought for supremacy. 

Alice and I had a Spotify jam going where we listen to alternate songs from both of our liked songs library. Our taste is usually quite similar, but sometimes I have to listen to Girls Aloud and she has to listen to Frank Sidebottom but hey-ho!

After a few stops at the services for a coffee or a McPlant, and having listened to La Roux's Bulletproof, The Jam's I Need You (For Someone), ELO's Diary Of Horace Wimp, The Beatles' Blackbird and Joy Division 's Atmosphere (not Russ Abbott's version), among many others, we held hands and made good progress on the road and Lancashire was nearly in sight.

As the sun was setting, the deciduous trees looked like skeletons lining up on the hillside as a song came on that changed our mood. Tears were rolling down our cheeks, as Paramore's Only Exception played. This song was our first dance at our wedding six years ago and will again be our first dance at our wedding vow renewal this coming Saturday. The significance of why we are renewing our vows was not lost on us, and it was hard to keep our emotions under control. When a rainbow appeared as we passed Warrington, with Roddy Frame singing Small World to us, the feels stayed very high, and when Alice showed me the 'memorandum of sale' email for our potential new home on her phone, we were both emotionally drained.

Blackpool was windy as we drove along the promenade to our hotel, but both the tower and the illuminations looked impressive, lighting up the night sky and the Irish Sea.

Our hotel, The Imperial, was very impressive, with a revolving door, tall ceilings, pillars and chandeliers and silver service waiting in the restaurant. Many of the rich and famous have stayed there over the years.  Winston Churchill, Ken Dodd, George Best, The Beatles, Jayne Mansfield, the Queen Mother and even the Queen! Not Russ Abbott though.

Tuesday, we visited the Lake District, starting at Bowness, then taking a boat to Ambleside. Again, the Autumnal colours, the hills, the valleys and the lake made for stunning scenery and the air smelt clear and fresh.

That evening, we all dressed up for a 1940's theme night! I was a spiv in my brown pinstripe demob suit and Alice wore a purple pencil skirt and patterned blouse. We drank lots of wine, ate Cottage Pie, waved Union Jack's, had a sing song and entered a quiz and a raffle. Luckily, we didn't win any of the tinned Pilchards, Spam or Condensed Milk! We did enjoy ourselves though, and went up to bed a little merry.

After a trip into Yorkshire to visit Skipton and Hawes on Wednesday, we then had a day to explore Blackpool under our own steam on Thursday. Our first destination was the Tower Ballroom and after listening to the amazing organist on the Wurlitzer, taking in the beautiful ornate decor, and watching some very accomplished couples on the sprung floor, we plucked up enough courage to dance. We waited for a sequence dance, when you all dance the same short routine many times around the perimeter, and beginners like us can copy the couple next to us. We danced an old time waltz and although Anton would have given us a 6, I fear that Craig would have held up a 2! After three more dances, with varying degrees of success and failure, we returned to the breezy, briny, Blackpool air.

We found the Cozy Jazz Cafe for lunch. It's a cool vegan/yoga/meditation place, and I couldn't help getting on the congas as we waited for our lunch of jerk chikn and rice, which was amazing.

We then walked along the promenade and rode a tram back. Unfortunately, both the tower and the roller coaster closed just last week for the winter, so as the sun turned to rain, we retired to the hotel and watched the illuminations from the warmth of the lounge. 

My legs were okay this week although I do have to stop and rest a little more these days. My arms are also getting weaker and Alice has to help with buttons or pulling a sweater on and off. I know she will have to do a lot more for me in the future, and so does she, poor thing. 

We travelled back on Friday and as soon as we were in the door, we had to pack for the weekend's adventure - renewing our wedding vows in front of 100 friends and family!

To be continued...