We’ve been waiting for more than two days of unbroken sunshine to dust this post off and set it free.
AdvertisementPreston is a pretty good place to be when the sun shines, we may not have a beach – but that’s not such a bad thing.
Here are nine ways you know summer is here in Costa del Preston:
1. Avenham Park becomes like a beach
Every man, woman, child, dog, three-legged water vowel, heads for the steep slopes and spreads out a towel. More flesh than you could ever imagine seeing suddenly appears.
2. Going to Elswick or Chorley becomes top of the to do list
The most important thing you need to do on a Saturday afternoon is drive to Elswick or Chorley to sample some delicious local ice cream at Bond’s or Frederick’s (or both!)
3. Sitting in beer gardens does not involving shivering
An afternoon spent at the Conti, Guild, Black Bull or many other fine establishments is infinitely improved by being able to sit outside and not having the contents of an ashtray blown in your face
4. The Marina feels like a Marina
Without the bracing wind and drizzle in your face the line up of boats down on the Docks feels slightly Marbella like. Ok, only slightly.
5. Blackpool becomes acceptable (to everyone else)
We watch smugly as everyone sits in a traffic jam heading towards Blackpool on the M55. We know nothing good is ever at the end of it.
6. People forget bins in parks actually exist
Avenham Park, Moor Park and any other patches of green space will look like a war site after it clears, particularly the scorch marks from everyone’s disposable barbecues. Put your rubbish in the bin.
7. There are no students
Friargate and the university campus become very, very, quiet as the thousands of students living on campus have all packed up and headed away until September. Apart from the brave (foolish?) few who decide a summer in Preston is what they need.
8. Disposable BBQs go crazy
It’s 10am, the sun is out and it looks a glorious day. “Let’s have a BBQ” says your wife/girlfriend/friend/husband etc. You agree and during the trip to the shops (or a fight in Home Bargains to get the last cheap one) you get a BBQ. You get it going and head back inside to get the meat ready. As you turn round you see the famous Preston rain has returned.
9. It gives us an excuse to feature pictures like this…
And this…
And this…
What have we missed? What else says summertime in Preston to you? Let us know in the comments below and add your summertime in Preston pics to the Preston Flickr group