The Villa Hotel Blackpool

Fancy a break in Blackpool?????????????
Want to stay in a hotel where you are guaranteed the friendliest of welcomes???????
Why not try The Villa Hotel, Withnell Road, Blackpool
www.thevillahotel-blackpool.co.uk
Positioned at South pier, it's a brilliant spot for the Pleasure Beach, Waterworld, Grosvenor Casino and bingo.
Gillian, John and Craig will ensure that your stay is exactly what you want it to be!!!!

Burnley FC reach the Premiership

Well done Burnley FC
To keep abreast of all that is happening with Clarets log on to http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/NewsHome/0,,10413,00.html

Easter at Number 678

Easter weekend is upon us and with it such beautiful spring weather.

Spring always conjures up a picture of fluffy yellow chicks, snow white lambs, the return of the swallows and generally more active wildlife. Here at Number 678 we are no different. Mummy duck has laid us 16 eggs and we wait with baited breath for all 16 to hatch. As is common place, Mummy sits on the eggs whilst Daddy wards off any potential danger. She’s nested in an awkward spot this year but I’m sure that if I’m vigilant I’ll manage to get a snapshot. Watch this space…………

Last weekend we managed to take the short walk up to the weather station at Dunnockshaw. This is a pretty “easy” straight walk with access just afacing Clowbridge Reservoir. Despite Tom, Jonpaul and Sian being readily available with just one pushchair between them carrying Olivia, it was left up to grandma yet again to be the budding adventurer with Cameron our seven year old grandson. It really isn’t much fun just walking up the path we had to deviate off and climb the “mountains” collecting dinosaur bones. Cameron and I were still traversing mountains by the time the others had reached the top and turned back again. Needless to say, although we got very close, we didn’t actually make it to stand next to the weather station and claim victory. Nevertheless, I still claim a victory of hill climbing when the others were content with walking the path. As was expected, the views across the valley were spectacular, even more so as the weather was beautifully sunny. It’s a lovely walk for the children and especially at this time of year with the lambs jumping around. The local farmers make walkers very welcome with friendly smiles.

We’ve also managed to reline the pond and restock with fish. A warning……. Do not let a seven year old poke through the ice with a pitchfork!!!!!! I know, I know, we should know better, but he really thought he was helping.

Olivia Rose Hannam

Our first grandaughter, Olivia Rose, made her grand entrance 8 February. As is expected from proud grandparents we think Olivia is just beautiful. She is blessed with a wonderful big brother, Cameron, who is getting rather impatient that she isn't yet walking and talking! Well, at 7 years old I suppose time just doesn't pass quick enough!!

Silver Award

We are pleased to report that during their annual inspection Visit Britain not only maintained our four star accreditation but they also upgraded Number 678 to a SILVER AWARD.
A very big thank you to all our guests for making this possible.
"This award is given to hotels and guest accommodation. It reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision" http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/accommodation/qas.aspx

This award underpins the very valuable feedback we receive from our clients. We listen very carefully to your comments and suggestions, and those of you that visit us regularly will no doubt notice those subtle changes and additions that make your stay even more enjoyable.

Our thanks again to you all. Congratulations, Tom, you deserve it!

Innit: Urban Musical

And so to the highlight of our week:
The opening night of Innit: Urban Musical at The Lowry, Salford Quays. It really was an excellent production, thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. Mickey Dacks managed to capture the street life of Salford with both wit and understanding. “High expectations in a low-life world”, well I’ll leave you to decide. Along with our family, who were all born and bred in Salford, we were totally captivated with “Stacey Stevens” played by Amy Hannam whose powerful yet when needed, gentle, voice totally captivated “Ashley”, the leading man, leading him from the low-life into a love life to start their journey into a happy life. Well done all the cast; the drunken ladies who transformed into corporate puppets and tough prison wardens, they were so talented and funny to watch; the street gang all with their own unique characters transforming into prison inmates before reverting back to the street gang; dead hard dad, Ricky Thomas and the very entertaining music shop owner. If you want entertaining with good fun, clever lyrics and a story to touch all with its final message then I urge you to go and see this production. WELL DONE AMY HANNAM ON YOUR FIRST PROFEESSIONAL PERFORMANCE!! We are all so very, very proud of you

Irwell Vale walk

This Sunday we did a much shorter walk starting at Irwell Vale Halt. Whilst Irwell Vale isn’t the best signposted spot it is worth finding. Unbeknown to us the Duke of Gloucester steam engine was making a run along the railway line into Rawtenstall and with many steam locomotive enthusiasts we stood in awe as this “steam engineering masterpiece”, blew its whistle and gave friendly waves with the brilliant white steam blowing into the clear skies. I managed to take one photograph before the battery went on my camera, ‘bout right!

Once again we were privy to beautiful spots of nature along our walk. Just 2.5 miles round trip we walked along the River Irwell, by the sides of and under the railway track, through fields and under enchanting bridges. Children of all ages would love this walk, not advisable to cycle or take pushchairs on the full loop but once again lots of interesting spots that would easily capture the imagination of the young ones. We keep stumbling across interesting heritage spots on our walks and this was no exception, this walk took us along the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail where we passed the “In the Picture” sculpture. The work is a giant wooden picture frame, 4.8m high and 6m wide, which frames a view of an idyllic landscape of woods and fields, with carved wooden sculptures in the foreground. The footpath runs through the frame allowing the visitor to step into the ‘picture’ asboth the viewer and subject of the piece. The work comes alive through the participation of the viewer and encourages active engagement.