Tuesday 30 June 2009

Every country has at least one Southport

Tuesday morning we headed north along the coastline to Southport. We thought we would have a quick look around here before moving on.... but our quick stop turned into at least 3 hours!! It was a gorgeous sunny day - too good to be in a car and Southport has a great esplanade so we spent the best part of the day here!



Couldn't resist going for a walk along the mile long pier, it was just beautiful. This pier is the second longest pier in Britain and recently won the 'Pier of the year' award. It is also the oldest pier and has been here since 1860! (Had a few upgrades though!) A tram runs along the pier and so does a little yellow train but we were having too much fun walking!




You would think after walking a mile you would be looking out into the ocean, but we were still a fair way back!

Check out the beach!! These first few photos were taken about a 1/4 of the way along...




This is as far as cars are allowed (below), and yes some people were walking all the way out with beach gear in hand from here, and yes others just parked their car... unloaded and started playing on the beach!!! We didn't actually go down onto the beach because you couldn't get down there from the pier, but the sand didn't really look like playing quality and was quite wet. (I presume with High Tide the water comes all the way in.) That's a lot of beach!!


We have lots of photos like this... especially when you are on the motor ways, we see heaps of planes over head and most of them are making 'plane clouds' as we call them! They do look cool, especially when their paths cross.


This is at the end of the pier, in the background you can see just how far away we still are from the oceans edge!



The girls had so much fun with these little windmills things.


The view walking back to the promenade and Ocean Plaza. Lots of entertainment happening here - live singing, a bit of dancing and people sitting around enjoying the sunshine.


Not there yet though...


The tram passes for about the 5th time!


Finally back to the entertainment hot spot.... where the young and old ride on the carousel... walking stick and all!! (sorry it's a little blurry!) But too funny to leave out - great to see isn't it!


One more bit of boardwalk over Marine Lake and we are back in the city center heading for the car!


We hadn't been traveling long when we hear.... 'I gotta do poos!' So we head for the nearest town, which turned out to be this stunning little country village, which I can't even remember the name off... but it was just picturesque!




10 comments:

lauracritchfield said...

That looks like one of the nicest spots for a walk. I love the summer weather - isn't it nice!! Good pics of the girls - Lani looks a bit grown up to be sitting in a pram but then again Emily looks just as big. I wish I could be pushed in apram though

Hannah Challis said...

Its funny you say that Laura - about the pram. I often used to look at bigger little kids in prams and think "Get out and walk!!!' lol Funny how you change your mind about things!!!!!

Jaclyn Quarrier said...

These photos look so nice, it looks like a lovely place to visit, you cant really believe there are so many interesting places around the world, looking at things like this make me want to go on holidays for ever!!! I agree with the pram thing, we are contemplating what to do with Meea in Disney World because as you all know, she hates to walk so I reckon she will be pushed everywhere just for some peace and quiet!!!!!

Claire said...

Can't believe how far out the water is!!! You'd need a swim by the time you hiked all that way.

Sometimes the kids are just happier in a pram, and it makes a great spot to stash bags etc. Gracie only stopped using the stroller about a year ago. Lazy little bee!

Elle said...

that is a HUGE beach... can't believe it! Looks like a really nice day! Emi and Lani look like they had fun 'riding' along the pier! can't believe how logn it is.. and a little scary since it's been there sin the 1800's - don't know if I would be walking all the way out there!

Blanche said...

That IS a long walk to the beach! I can see why the tram is running along the pier. I love the little old bridge in the 'poo stop' photos!! I'm sure it has been in a movie and if not it should be.

I bet you can't wait to see your parents. Lani and Emily must be totally beside themselves with excitement.

Ange Carmichael said...

Now thats a beach!

Gail Challis said...

Can't get over the size of the pier. Philip google earthed it and we had a good look at how long it is. Wow!!!

Spider, Muff, Char & Mollie said...

Wow the beach looks a lil different LOL, gr8 photos tho!!

The Kings said...

What a HUGE beach!!! So jealous of all your summer photos and activities! :)

Because everyday is different and we can't remember them all, I thought I had better start writing them down. Welcome to life in the Challis home - where everyday is different!