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Four eyes
Sal models the very latest in Lancashire eyewear Monday the 25th of April, 2005 saw Sal and Mick arrive in Manchester via Heathrow, where they were met by Sal’s Aunty Margaret and cousin Ann. A short trip later on the motorway and the four arrived at Margaret and her husband John’s house in suburban Blackpool.
Margaret and Ann are members of the Walsh clan of Northern England. Women of the Walsh clan are generally called Ann and the men, John. In order to distinguish between the various Ann’s and John’s, members of the Walsh clan refer to individual members as “Our Ann” and “Our John.” Unfortunately for outsiders seeking to understand conversations relating to the internal machinations of the Walsh clan, it appears that all members of the Walsh clan named Ann are referred to as “Our Ann” and similarly, all members named John known as “Our John”.
Blackpool is a city on the north-western coast of England in the county of Lancashire and is renowned as a sea-side resort town. In recent years, it has become synonymous as the preferred location for “bucks” and “stag” parties for prospective grooms and brides from across the United Kingdom, however still remains a popular holiday place for families as
Fresh country air
Sal and Ann during the sojourn to the Lake's District of Cumbria, north of Lancashire well.
On Wednesday the 27th of April Sal and Mick travelled to the quaint sea-side village of Fleetwood with Margaret, Our John, Joe and Stella (the latter being the Aunty and Uncle of Sal’s). As a young man, Joe played for the Blackburn Rover’s soccer club, which is based in the moderately-sized city of Blackburn (approximately 27 miles east of Blackpool). Joe has a burning passion for football shared by so many of his compatriots, and provides ample unsolicited advice at all home games to Blackburn football manager Mark Hughes from his regular seat immediately to the rear of the manager’s box in Edwood (pronounced “Eee-wood”) Park.
Fleetwood is best known as being the town in which the “Fisherman’s Friend” throat lozenges are produced. Fleetwood provided Sal and Mick with their first experience of an authentic English pub, the North Euston Hotel, where the hospitality was warm, the beer even warmer and the fish and chips a credit to the hotel management.
Friday night saw Margaret, Our John, Sal and Mick travel to Blackburn for a fantastic Walsh clan shindig at the house of Sal’s cousin Joanne and her husband, Shaun. Despite not being previously acquainted with
The only gays in the village
Andy, Ann, Sal and Mick outside the local in the quaint village of Thirlmere most members of the Walsh clan, Mick appeared to be making a wonderful impression with his in-laws, before discovering late in the evening that the fly of his jeans had been wide, wide open throughout the entire night. This unfortunate situation provided much mirth for the party guests. Thankfully, the fact that Mick was wearing his ample leopard skin g-string ensured that the Walsh family members did not see more of Mick than they wanted to.
On Saturday the 30th of April, Sal and Mick were taken to the Lake’s District in the county of Cumbria by Ann (daughter of Margaret) and her husband Andy. The Lake’s District draws it’s name from a number of closely located lakes, nestled within the kind of breathtaking English countryside which is celebrated in the song “Jerusalem” (think of “walking upon England’s mountains green” and “pleasant pastures”, sans “those dark satanic mills”). Andy and Ann treated Sal and Mick to numerous pints of English lager and bitter at a series of fantastic ancient pubs.
The Lake’s District is the area in which Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth lived and drew their literary inspiration, and at the lake of Coniston Donald Campbell famously
Fisherman's Friends
John, Stella, Sal, Joe and Margaret at the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood (and tragically) made his attempt at the world water speed record. This area is one of incredible natural beauty and home to numerous quality watering holes which all deserve close attention. This is undoubtedly a location to which Sal and Mick will return in the near future.
Sunday the 1st of May saw a gathering at Margaret and John’s house of their children, Our Ann and Our John. Sal, Mick, Ann and Andy spent the majority of the afternoon licking the wounds incurred the previous day at the hands of those scurrilous Cumbrian brewers!
Sal and Mick cannot be more appreciative to Margaret and John (the perfect hosts), Ann and Andy, Joanne and Shaun and all other members of the Walsh clan for the magnificent Lancashire hospitality which was lavished upon them throughout this week. This is a wonderful and loving family, whose sense of fun and humour is infectious.
Tuesday the 3rd of May sees Sal and Mick make the short flight from Blackpool to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, with the first stop being a guided tour of the famous Gunniess Factory. To be sure, to be sure!
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