We went to Pontins at Ainsdale and really enjoyed it though it wouldn't be everyone's idea of a holiday I'm sure. What we like is somewhere to use as a base from where we can walk or go by train to places of interest to us. This usually means nature reserves with wild life in the form of birds and plants mostly. The chalets at Pontins range from very basic to the top of the range one like we had that is really quite basic if you like a luxury hotel type holiday. Our package included a bedroom with twin beds and a bed settee so we had loads of bedding for just the 2 of us and also 10 lovely white towels of various sizes. There was a welcome pack of tea, coffee etc. Also washing up liquid-a dish cloth and scourer and also a tea towel. The bathroom had shower gel fitted and also hand wash at the sink as well. A book with £75 off tokens for various things at the shop and the bars and also a free daily newspaper and free electric so we did very well for the price we paid for sure. Everything was spotless clean in our chalet and around the area where we were staying - not sure what anywhere else was like but there were over 2000 people there that week and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Vic took over 300 photographs so it has been difficult to chose just a few to show you what we did and for you to get a feel for this beautiful part of good old England. There is a train that runs every 20 minutes between Liverpool and Southport and stops at so many places inbetween that I lost count of them. It meant that where ever we walked to we could get back on the train then walk the half mile from Ainsdale station to Pontins.

Our Chalet-it had patio doors and a balcony that overlooked the crazy golf-the go karts and the swimming pool etc. We were out for most of the time so didn't see a lot of what people were doing.

Sunset from our balcony--the structure is a bungee thing for the kids

This interesting sculpture is just outside Pontins entrance and I think the new owners of Pontins sponsored it.

View from our balcony again- a very high climbing tower was the fave with the kids they did absailing, climbing-trapeze and this zip wire that went on forever or so it seemed to me--I would never have got to the top of the tower to have a go but the little ones did.

Night time amusements--you pay to go on these but cheaper than the ones in Bridlington-they stopped about half past 10 so didn't keep us awake.

You can park on the beach at Ainsdale both directions. The beach goes on for miles and miles but is quite marshy on the Southport side as we found out when we got stranded and had to find a way out of the bog.

A film crew were shooting a commercial and had been there setting it all up since 6.30am but the light was too bright for what they wanted to do so they were waiting.

Directors and others chairs --how cool is that for a beach shoot. A lady told us that on the dunes just up from where this film crew were shooting was where Maria in Corrie had little Liam. They get lots of film crews shooting stuff here cause it is such a quiet and varied place.

We got a new hobby while we were on the beach -there are lots and lots of pieces of drift wood that look like creatures--this is just one of them but Vic took loads of different ones. I think this looks like a snake

The coast here is so full of birds it is fantastic--the sands are covered with empty razor shells and cockle shells which must be why so many birds live here.

Happily walking along we were when we realised that the path was to the right over the marshland. Vic decided to be brave and try to find us a way back to the path--it took ages as we both kept falling in. It isn't good idea to leave the path at all.

Arriving at Southport finally-a bit wet and muddy but looking forward to exploring the town.

Striding along the pier with Vic stopping behind me to take pictures

This is a tram that runs all the way along the pier which goes almost into the town. We were lucky enough to find out all about the history of Southport and how it started because I asked a man emptying some bins if he knew the way to the model village. One of his ancestors was one of the original three men who had the idea of clearing away the marshy dunes and creating the frontage at Southport because taking the air had become so fashionable and profitable. To this day there are people who claim to be descended from the Sand Shifters but many of the claimants are frauds-well so the bin man told us. You have to be a direct male descendant of one of the three founders to claim the title. I would be very proud to have been one of the people who created the wonderful spaces along the front--beyond the pier are wonderful gardens with lakes and many different ducks and swans--such a peaceful place to sit and do nothing.

On the end of the pier is a penny arcade with old pennies to buy and use in the machines--this is just one of them but we had a go on loads

Swans on the seafront lake

Some of the model village--it is amazing with different trains going around it all the time-there was quiz to do as you walked around and some wonderful shrubs as you can see by the orange berries.

A nice place for a coffee in one of the arcades off Lord Street

Part of Lord Street

Lord Street Again

A collection of some of the signs from the various nature reserves that we visited. Too many to keep separate so the next pictures will be from here and there.

A little flower that grows on most of the dunes

Natterjack toad country though at this time of year they spread out to look for new mates for next year

I had to go astray to see what was up the very steep dunes and there was this beautiful beach--it may not look like a big drop but it sure was - we went back down onto the dunes very quickly

This was the start of the Red Squirrel reserve but a lot of the trees appeared to be dead on the edges of the reserve

We walked for hours and hours then we found this oasis in the desert. It was a very smart Health Club with indoor and outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi. Tennis courts and wonderful gym facilities. The receptionist made us some coffee and the only food they had was crisps so we had some of those. It was nice to chat to some ladies from Liverpool who had been members there for 10 years and really enjoyed it. I would as well if I lived nearer.

Another day-there is a nature reserve right opposite Pontins with a boardwalk all the way around the lake for wheelchairs etc. You can stray off onto the dunes if you like but the walk around the lake gives great views of the birds on the lake and the plants as well

All on the reserve opposite Pontins

We went on the Manchester train from Southport to a station that was supposed to be in walking distance of Martin Mere. What a walk it was-we got lost so many time we almost gave up but I'm so pleased we didn't cause it was amazing. We had been before but lots have been added since then. Coming back we chickened out and they got us a taxi back to the station . This is the back entrance and all the roofs on the building are made of grass.

It was feeding time for the otters but they are fed 6 times a day as they use so much energy. They fish around in the mud for their food.

These are not English otters as they don't like people at all-these were from Thailand and love people-they don't usually breed in captivity but this pair met last year and had 5 babies this year.

This is a sculpture of Peter Scott--I missed it but Vic took a picture of it.

There are 2 sorts of flamingos at Martin Mere-some were bright pink all over but I liked these ones the best-this one was a real poser.

There were loads of hides around the lakes but this one was huge and you could see so many birds if you took a seat inside up against one of the windows. There were just us and 2 enthusiastic ladies in there and we stayed there for a while

Another poser but isn't it pretty-a docile sort of swan

They see a camera and all want to be in it-must be a pecking order though

How cute are these ducks--they made me smile for sure

There were a few of these Viking huts that had been built to teach the school children about the past. They look really lovely -like a little village in the wood.

That's it folk. We covered about 80 miles on foot I reckon--maybe even more but it was all worth the effort and really enjoyable-hope you enjoyed the selection of pictures