Bring me Sunshine....

Yesterday we went for a rare family day out. We are buried deep in revision and pain at school at the moment, so grabbing a glorious sunny day and escaping seemed like a good idea. We decided (ok, I decided) that we would go and look at a city I have often gone past but never into.

We went to Lancaster; if you travel north on the M6 you very often pass the University, but it's not a place I remember going to. We didn't see that much yesterday, either, as we had plans for the afternoon. We did go up to the castle, which was a prison for many years. I couldn't resist getting the lads to stand under the sign!

And the guy at the gate in the photo above is a prison guard... really!
The Pendle witch trials were held here, and other famous trials. There is a castle tour, but we were on a mission and didn't feel like it yesterday. Fortunately Peter's football team play in Lancaster during the season, so I am on a promise.

WE'd gone specially to see the museum, which has a small exhibition (free entry) about Morecambe and Wise. Eldest David is a big fan, so I grabbed the chance before it goes off in July. There were a few exhibits like suits, personal items and playbills and plenty of interactive parts. I actually have video of me dancing with them here.... available for a price!

This was the most crazy I could get Fan boy to be; and this was under duress. But he enjoyed looking at the rooms, and pointing out the things he knew but I didn't.... like the first appearance of Morecambe and Wise as a duo was at the Liverpool Empire in 1941.

And then it was on to Morecambe and a walk up and down the prom. Apparently I went to Morecambe when I was 3 months old and cried ALL NIGHT LONG.
I cried a little yesterday, too, but only because it was lovely to see the faces of people responding to the statue. Little kids, for whom he means nothing yet, just made faces, and climbed over him and were generally not that impressed. But a lot of teenagers and on wards have seen enough of the clips to recognise comedy genius and to do the action, or to chuckle at the lines.... 'Tea, Ern?'.... 'You can't see the join!'.... 'He won't sell much ice cream going at that speed!'...... and the rest.

Again, Fan boy wouldn't oblige with the action, but he did have fun hanging around the statue for a while.

But I always oblige. Look at the sky... and the lack of sea.... and the panoramic view. I had Bring Me Sunshine on my phone so it was a nice touch to sit and listen to it at the statue.

And our final touristy moment before we had Fish and Chips at Atkinson's was to run into the Midland Hotel. We were hungry, so only I went in to grab the photos I wanted. I loved the foyer, all 1930's Art Deco and cool marble. I'm guessing Eric Gill was involved somewhere, since one of the function suites was named after him.

 And surely this must be by him; it so looks like Art Deco at its best.
Fish n chips and homeward bound. James had a cold and needed some medicine. In fact, on the way home two of the brats fell asleep, but not James. He did cough himself awake all night, and today we have had a quiet day of play and watching TV. Oh, and I needed to visit the vets.... twice. Don't ask. Let's just concentrate on Morecambe, shall we?

Have a good weekend and I might be back before Sunday..... or not ;-)
It really depends if I am (cough cough) doing anything REALLY good tomorrow or not...... (peep here to see!)