For those who wonder about the title: it’s not Christmas time, it’s end of May, and the town is Blackpool. Britain at its best, in this long weekend with a never-seen-before streak of sunny days.

When we asked our friends for advice on where to go for the long weekend, their feedback on Blackpool was mixed. However, it’s undeniable that Blackpool boasts a beautiful sea and beach. No doubt it will be lively and the sunny days will bring the perfect conditions for a daily trip down there. And…and… we’ll have the opportunity to see more than just a regular touristic place.

Why is that, and what is exactly the point, we couldn’t tell. Yet.

Three hours on the highway and we are there: in the Parking Lot, John reminds us of some basics – just in case we forgot. A quick walk and we are in Blackpool, seaside.

This Her/His Majesty post box looks like it could enjoy a brush-up and so do the surroundings: let’s walk some more, while seagulls and the salty wind tell us about the Irish Sea and its perks.

Observing the vehicles parked in front of this pub, it appears that the youth of Blackpool do not frequent it. Meanwhile, Mr. The Bull and his two companions are engaged in a conversation in the open air.

Being 10am, we are not ready to enter the Bull yet, neither we want to disturb Mr. The Bull: we keep walking untill the Promenade opens up its wonders to us!

‘Royal Windsor Hotel’: the owners must be anything but humble, it’s at this very moment that came to my mind the genius of Martin Parr and his ironic photographic eye. Thanks to him I feel Blackpool, from now on, close to my heart.

Sea-side pubs, like this one, alternate with terraced houses ambitiously transformed into hotels: their customers relax sunbathing in makeshift claustrophobic dehors shared with the hotel Parking lot where you don’t see the boundaries of where the sun-bathing area blends into the parking because the boundaries don’t exist – everything is compressed, packed, adapted to the suit the objective.

Gambling bars with their slot machines and carnival-style attractions are not exactly what we’d expect to match the sight of a beautiful beach.

The atmosphere at the Promenade is vibrant but its vibes are tuned in to an odd frequency. The bustling crowd is in sync with it – a feeling of extravagance from Blackpool’s rich history, a kind of ran-down atmosphere emanates from the buildings and permeates the crowd, shaping the people and filling the air.

Time to go back to Ossett now: we follow our steps back to the parking lot, taking a few turns following alleys and back-streets. We are glad we saw Blackpool today and we bring home pictures, smells, and tastes of something unique, different from our concept of beauty, still strongly resonating, and, for this, worth to be seen.

And, YES, this whole place and its people are definitely ICONIC!