Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Dane and dusted



On Sunday (August 17) at around 2.30pm Nikolaj Sørensen finished his two-month walk from Lands End to John O'Groats.

Nikolaj, a history teacher from Denmark, CouchSurfed with me a month ago on his way up the length of the British Isles.

On Sunday Nikolaj, 38, told me: "I'm hurting today, but now I can go home." I think he found it a very tough journey (it is a very tough journey) but he fulfilled his ambition. I applaud him.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

More rain, more Blackpool



For the third weekend running I was back in Blackpool. Can a person take this much fun?
It was raining. But it was still fun.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Summer holidays



This is British tourism at its most average.
Taken at the Wild Boar Park, Chipping, Lancashire in July 2008.

Saturday, August 02, 2008

A summer in Blackpool



Had a heated discussion with someone in the office about the merits of a weekend in Blackpool.

I was of the opinion that the resort as a drinking destination is a dirty, depressing, soulless place. A sh*thole, basically. While my colleague was from Blackpool. He vigorously disagreed.


The brash trash of the town is seductive in its own way, but the grubby bars and the hoardes of heavy drinking stag parties leave me cold.

Can't see what appeal myself. Each to their own like. Did you know people from Scotland come down the M6 to Blackpool in their thousands? Some of them even stay for a whole week! They have to come past the Lake District to get there. What are they thinking?


Over the 2008 summer season I am visiting Blackpool regularly to photograph the resort and, more specifically, it's visitors. No portraiture, no poses. Just the people as they patrol the promenade and stagger between the bars.


Interesting fact: British rail have cancelled the Blackpool to Manchester Airport train at 1.10am. And the ticket man will make you buy a new ticket for 3.35am train because returns are only valid until 2.30am.