This weekend The Boy and I are off to Blackpool with some friends. Quite alot of friends. At the last count there were 15 adults and 21 children coming, and that is after taking off the recent cancellations due to swine flu. We’re all staying in a little hotel, and I think our booking is practically filling the place. We had the first “annual” outing to Blackpool last year, and it was a huge success (only a few very minor hiccups, which have been errr, solved for this year), so we couldn’t wait to book up again for 2009, and we’re glad to include some people who couldn’t make it last year, but also sad that a couple of good friends from last year can’t make it.
We have a loose itinerary for the weekend, which includes The Pleasure Beach (I’ve got my tickets for here already, thanks to a chance find of lots of Tesco Clubcard vouchers in my drawer, so please let the weather allow this visit, storm-gods) and possibly the zoo. Should the weather not be suitable for a day wandering around the zoo with lots of children, we’ll probably visit the Tower instead. Last year, we had sunshine on the Friday, which allowed the kids to play on the beach for a while when we arrived, then torrential constant rain on the Saturday which made for a very dull and miserable Blackpool. By the Sunday the rain had stopped but was replaced by gale force winds that made walking along the prom impossible (I kid you not, we attempted it and turned back in defeat). The optimist in me (there is one!) is thinking that even with a few rainshowers, the weather this weekend can’t be any worse than it was last year. I’m clinging onto that hope.
So this week will consist of list-writing, laundry, ironing, organising, and trying not to spend any money while keeping a manic excited 4 year old occupied and happy. Should be fun 
We’re going Friday to Monday, and already my suitcase is almost full with clothes for the boy, covering every eventuality with the weather. I’ve yet to pack the washingmachine and clothes airer full of clothes, any of my clothes, or any toiletries/hairdrier/GHDs. We’re gonna need a bigger bag.
I’ll leave you with a photo of our gaggle of kids on the last day of last year’s trip. Trying to get them all to sit down, smile, and look at the camera was pretty much, well, impossible as you can see.
Wave when you get near Manchester!!
How cute is that photo, love Cal standing up in the middle! Can’t wait to see this year’s pictures
I’ll Tweet when I get near Manc, Jen! LOL
We’ll try and get another group shot of all the wee ones again this year. And no doubt there will be one of all us girls too *shudder*. I’ll be the one at the back trying to keep out of sight!
What a weekend! Can’t believe it’s all over for another year
You’ll need to get this year’s stair photos on soon!
BTW did you put your pics on Flickr? I saw the one of Cal in the car on the way home but you took some of Erin too didn’t you? Are they on Flickr?