Why do I love Scouseland?!...

You learn something everyday..now that is true infact I learned two yesterday..although one I cannot say here.

A visit to The Beatles Story in Liverpool was in order for Saturday. I was buzzing having been reading 'John Lennon - The Life' by Philip Norman, which is a wonderful read by the way, one you cannot put down! But also advertised at work 'The White Feather - Spirit of Lennon' exhibition at the Pier Head, Liverpool. So Dad, Gran and me enjoyed a simply wonderful day out there.

We hadn't seen the Beatles story for years so it was great fun just walking through seeing how much had changed and what we had remembered as kids. Gran loved every minute of it, as she'd never been before and likes the music of the greatest band of all time!

We got to the stage where the Beatles were just signed up with Brian Epstein and just leavingthe Cavern club when there was a huge blown up photograph of Cilla Black, Gerry Marsden (of Gerry and the Pacemakers) and a young lad by the name of Tommy Quickly. My dad had spotted this photo and collared to my Gran 'there's Tommy Quickly'. My gran shouted 'oh Auntie Maggie's grandson!' So I was inquisitive and asked who he was..only turns out he was managed by Brian Epstein, had a record deal in the 60's and had worked with The Beatles and he was related to me!

I couldn't believe it! My Dad recalled him telling my brother and I years ago, which I could not remember. This was a first for me! I am the 2nd cousin twice removed (I think, I find it easier to say 4th cousin) of Thomas Quigley aka Tommy Quickly, rock and roll star of the early 60's! I did my research on him when I got home and heard his voice for the first time on youtube and I have to say that the lad had talent! He was promised and great career but due to his shy character and lack of material he 'quickly' left the music world as fast as he came in! I even managed to find a great photo of him sat with his backing group, 'The Remo Four' and YES..THE BEATLES!! Amazing stuff....

I do(not) like to be beside the seaside...

The taste of Blackpool is not what I would call refreshing..they have the cheek to call it the Las Vegas of Northern England, I can say it's anything but Vegas!

We went simply because it was cousin Hayley's 21st birthday and to be honest we had never experienced Blackpool in all the times we had been there..fond memories of when we were kiddies though, our parents strolling us along the promenade taking in sights such as the illuminations, the smell of fish and chips, candy floss, blackpool rock and the rollercoasters on the funfair..that what all we went for as kiddies and you didn't really pay that much attention to the drunken, foulmouthed layabouts that flocked there..infact I don't recall seeing many.

Much to my dismay since growing up this place has become, quite simply, the WORST town in Northern England!

The people, the litter, the noise, the language, the behaviour! What can I say but APPALLING!! The hotel, the worst again I have ever stayed in, for those heading to Blackpool anytime soon, beware of the Hotel Angelee on Coop St!!!!

But for the record...Happy Birthday Hayley!

A new costume!?.....

Phil's party's coming up so I figured I had to get myself a couple of new things...also Elaine's party is the week before, so that was an excuse to get two costumes!!

Let them eat cake......

Arghhhh matey....

he came home!!...but it wasn't long enough

I'm a little late with this post but nevermind..Lindsey and James's wedding was a delight simply because of the fact our Dan came home, but it simply wasn't long enough, if he hadn't have been working then it might of stayed the full weekend....or...longer???

He got here late so he didn't have chance to eat or chat properly as a family (did I mention we hadn't seen him in 6 months)..won't go into detail too much about that. But we got to the reception a little late so there was some serious catching up to do with the family already there. Sadly come 12am we were all kicked out but Dan was stopping the night so it didn't matter to us. It was pretty emotional with the fact that he hadn't seen our family for well....ages! Infact I can't even remember the last time he saw grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins etc... he really has missed out on so much in our family and it was good for him to see exactly what it was he was missing. Only so much can be said here though.....

I managed to talk to him alone, when he was downloading music for me..like old times...and we talked about everything we could, I did most of it, he only says so much but what I heard was enough! I only wish he could come home....for good

definately maybe...

This is the bridesmaid dress that Rachel and I really took a fancy too..after a first try at shopping for the perfect dress we didn't do bad at all. It's taffeta to match the brides dress (who looks stunning by the way!) and more than likely we will be purchasing this one in a few weeks time. Unfortunately I couldn't fit in the size they had in the shop (boooo) but Rach tried it and it was simply stunning and they have a kiddies size too! She has 3 bridesmaids and 1 flower girl, the eldest two will be the same dresses, the next one will be a childs dress and the flower girl will be in white...the colour we think...chocolate! It will look stunning, all we have to do is go back and be measured, can you believe they take 6 months to come in! They're worth the wait though....

My Branwell...

spooky happenings at the a Haworth Parsonage...

another one for the bag..

Here's the second installment of the MJ series, pretty cool huh? Didn't take as long as the first, not so much detail. Now I just need buyers!

Me and Rachel found a few bridesmaid styles we both like, we're off to try them on a week come Saturday, that weekend is fully booked in my diary, Preston shopping on Saturday then Sunday off to Franks for his belated birthday celebration.

There was also some news regarding my Branwell ghost picture at work. I am having it investigated by the clairvoyence Dorothy. She has connections to a photographer who deals with these kind of things. I cannot wait to hear what they have to say. Speaking of my Branwell picture, Mum and I visited the parsonage on Monday.

Instead of spending another day off inside, we wanted to go out somewhere. Mum suggested Clitheroe, but it was such a nice day, I suggested Haworth..partially because of my Branwell ghost. I wanted to talk face to face with the museum and really let them decide on what they thought it was, and to let them know that's it's being investigated. They were pretty enthusiastic about the photo and were keen to hear what the experts had to say..we shall see..we shall see...