Two Coasts, Four days, Six dresses

The school summer holidays started on the 21st of July for us, I had booked a static caravan for a week at a nice site in Hunstanton, Norfolk. The park is Searles, we had stayed there previously a few years ago and loved it. 

With the additional room available in the wife's new car, it was the first holiday where there would be room for additional bags of female attire and the vast array of makeup and shoes required for some en-femme days.

The holiday itself was really good, we did an amphibius seal tour on the sandbanks around Hunstanton, a narrow gauge railway ride to a holy village, and a ride in an army truck around a military museum - as well as the usual beach days, over eating and drinking too much of the local beer.

En-femme in King's Lynn 

I only managed one en-femme day in the end, that was on the Sunday. It was only my third time out with the family. 

We headed into Kings Lynn arriving just after midday.

I chose to wear a vintage 80's 'Mollie Haw' dress, it was suitably summery and nice and light fabric. 

On arrival we found a café and had a drink. Then we did the museum, then popped into Boots as we both needed something. 

Then we started looking for food places, and ended up in a pub. I had a really nice pork belly roast.

After this we had a 5 minute look around inside the cathedral, then onwards to the docks. They have some kind of mammoth trail thing going on, so I got a photo next to that too.

We then popped into Costa for a drink before heading home. We were wandering around for about three hours in total. 

It mainly went well , both kids called me dad once, and my wife asked one of the them to double check what 'daddy' wanted while she stood at the bar in the pub. But given it's not a regular occurrence they all did really well.

I am always a bit worried about getting negative reactions while out with my family, if I'm on my own I only have myself to defend - or more likely just laugh off, or get myself away from it. I do feel more conscious of the potential for my loved ones to be upset, and feel guilty about this.

We didn't seem to get any that I noticed thankfully. 

After we got back to the caravan park, I headed out alone to the beach - I had dreamt of doing so for a long time. I had a bit of a paddle and took some video's of me messing around for Insta. It was fun !

The wind was not fun with my wig, and some of the other photo's I took didn't turn out so well.

Blackpool - Friday

We returned from our holiday on the Thursday night, which meant that I then had a free weekend to do some more en-femme adventures !

I had four options, Hull Pride, Nottingham Pride, the 'Seasiders' meeting at Bridlington, and also 'Blackpool Chix'. I chose the later, I knew people at most of them, but I had been itching to do Blackpool for a while.  I had heard many good things about it.

On the Friday they meet up at the Dragon Fly BnB at 8pm, and on the Saturday it's LuLu's at 8pm.

I found a cheap BnB online, which was very near both meeting points and booked that. It was a gay friendly place, as it seems a lot are around that area : https://www.habberlyhotelblackpool.co.uk/

Turns out the owner had been on "Four in a bed" , the hotel review program ! - but at his previous hotel.

I set off around midday, stopping to charge at Birch services around 2pm, and arriving at just before 4pm.  I had a sandwich at Birch. Got booked into the hotel, and carted my bags up 3 flights of stairs to the attic room I had booked.  It was very cosy ! - the loo/shower was a shared private room one flight down, just for the two attic rooms.  It had a Velux window, and I could see the sea if I poked my head out 😁 - I did have a sink at least. 

The event didn't start until 8pm, so I did some wandering up and down the front, got some photos, and then found a café where I had a jacket potato.  My digestive system wasn't very happy, too much beer over the previous week I think.

I headed back to the hotel and got changed for the evening. I was feeling a bit bloated, so went with my Shein summer dress which is quite forgiving around the waist. Had really nice comments the previous time I wore it out too. 

I walked the short distance to the Dragon Fly and had to wait a short while until someone came to answer the door bell, as the inner door was locked.

Once inside I was directed to the bar where I found a few of the other girls. I had known that Justine would be there, so there was once friendly face. But was soon talking to a
number of others too. It and the next venue were cash only bars, fortunately I did have a £10 note on me for emergencies !

We headed to LuLu's next , which is more of a proper LGBTQ+ cabaret bar, but also a hotel too, rather than a BnB.  It has a DJ and is much bigger downstairs. 

We spent a while in there, then headed to Galleon, which is a straight music bar - really nice in there. They had a live band on, and we met up with some women who were on a 50th birthday weekend. They were quite tipsy but very friendly and lovely. 

There was some fab decor in here too - the downstairs loo was through a Tardis door !!  - and there was
all sorts of Dr Who memorabilia inside.

After this we went to the Flying Handbag which is an LGBTQ+ venue , very big, air conditioned with a drag host . It had a pool table, big dancefloor and quite a lot of seating. We got in for free with out Blackpool Chix card too ! - saving us the princely sum of £2.

I decided to call it a night after midnight, I had been on soft drinks to try and help with my digestive issues, and also wanted to try to be fresh for the next day which was really more the main event. Alas this was not to be.

Blackpool - Saturday day time

I had not had a good night, there was heavy rain at 2am which on the Velux was really loud and woke
me.  Then at just after 4am a guy who had the other attic room arrived back, and fell asleep on his bed with his light on and door open.  He had somehow managed to set an alarm on his phone which was really really loud and woke me up.  

Unfortunately he was so absolutely hammered it didn't wake him, and it kept stopping, then going off again every 10 minutes.  So I chucked a dress on and went next door and shook him till he woke up - he did attempt to turn it off, and apologised 'sorry mate' - but he clearly failed as it continued to go off for another 30 mins. 

I didn't want to interact with him any more in the state he was in, so I just shut his door and put my emergency earplug in - I carry one in my purse for loud clubs, one ear buzzes when music gets too loud.

I did manage to get back to sleep, but he had clearly set an alarm for 7am too, an hour before I wanted to get up. I just got up at 7 and had my shower. It was still going off an hour later when I finished putting my makeup on.

I had my breakfast, but didn't feel too great after it.  I met up with Justine who was eating breakfast at a café just over the road and had a tea in there while she ate hers.  Then we headed towards the shops and met up with the two other girls, Stephanie and Catriona. We did a bit of shopping, and we had a drink at a coffee shop.

Catriona decided to go have a sleep, and the three of us did some charity shops for a few hours. I really wasn't feeling too good at all, so I decided I would also go for a lay down. 

Hadn't had any lunch yet, and some pills I got from Superdrug said they needed to be eaten after food, so I went to Sainsburys and got a ploughman's sandwich and some ginger tea.  I spend the rest of the afternoon napping.  

Blackpool - Saturday Night

I really wasn't sure if I was going to feel well enough to go out, but a message from a friend
Arabella who actually lives in Blackpool and wanted to meet up pushed me to make a decision and I got ready and gave them a call to arrange meeting with them too.

Really glad I did, it was a fab night in the end.

We met at LuLu's , spend quite a while in there. There were a few more girls, perhaps 10 of us in total. After this we went to Galleon's again, it was much much busier, and we were standing for a while.

There was a couple of bands on, who were really good. We eventually managed to steal an entire corner of the bar and a few tables to make our own trans area 😂

The tipsy 50th party women from the previous night turned up, and one of them was being very entertaining again.  A lovely CIS girl ended up being our official photographer and took quite a few group shots of us all, none of which I have yet though.  She even lost her seat in the process which seemed a little unfair.

Arabella met us in there, and we had a bit of a catchup in between people trying to flirt with her 😂

There was also another fairly drunk young couple who wanted us to dance. She was very keen to tell me how inclusive they were bringing up her kids, and that she saw us as women, and was very complimentary about our look.  They were both nice, but a bit handsy ! 

We were in there quite a while, but eventually a number of us decided to head to the Flying Handbag. Me and Arabella joined them.  We spent another hour in the handbag, did a bit of dancing. Arabella headed home and soon it was just three of us left at about 1am.

This ended up with just me and Emily, who decided we should try a very 'down to earth' bar before heading back to our respective hotels. It was called 'Garlands'  - it had a drag DJ , flags and such. 

The clientele were a little rough looking, and some were very worse for wear.  We ended up on a table with some lovely older CIS couple who had been out drinking and had a bad experience in another bar with an aggressive drunk lady.  They offered some seats to us as we were standing at the bar. Emily wowed them with some slight of hand magic which they found amazing.  

A fairly old guy with came in, with an even older guy with a walking stick - he looked very frail. They ended up getting a table next to us.  The really old guy seemed to be shuffling closer and closer to me on the bench seat, the couple I think spotted this and moved to give me a bit more room. I thought he was going to end up in my lap at one point. It was a bit strange.  I was half expecting to be groped when I left, but he didn't.

I waked back towards LuLu's with Emily, and we passed some very dodgy looking characters, who I wouldn't have wanted to meet on my own for sure !  We got a comment 'Fuckin ell'  not sure if it was an insult, or compliment, but didn't stop to find out.

We parted ways at the pedestrian crossing which took me over the road to my hotel. I think I met her at Nottingham Invasion last year - it was the slight of hand magic that made me twig. She did some coin tricks in the pub next to the shopping centre.

Sunday 

I had to be out by 10am, I got down to breakfast at 9am and had the place to myself with the two partners serving / cooking for me.  Felt hungry so did manage to eat more than the previous day.

Journey back was nicer, I did it in about 2:30 , charging once at the Rivington services on the M61

It seems to be a new tradition that I pop into the local shop while still dressed from an adventure, so I did Asda too !

Feeling a bit better today, but still quite tired.

Summary 

All in all, a fab couple of nights, was great to meet and get to know more people, I will definitely try to get back to more of them. It's so much cheaper than Leeds or Manchester too. 

Definitely one to do if budget is the primary concern. The drive there and back isn't fun - but it's doable. The train might even be an option !

The bars are more like the ones I love in Manchester, but just spread out a bit more. 

It doesn't feel as safe as either Leeds or Manchester, it's a much more deprived area, so I wouldn't want to be walking back to my BnB in a bad state on my own for sure.

Was great to be able to visit both coasts En-Femme for the first time too, and in the same week !  Didn't get to paddle in the sea at Blackpool though, I will have to do that next time.

 

Welsh Week Off

Think a mixture of things have got me a bit down in the dumps today. Last day of my holiday, a rainy afternoon, and feeling a bit tired from being out last night.

But thought I best write this, otherwise I will start to forget things :)

Holiday

We were on a family holiday at Tenby in south Wales for the last week, via a friends in Bristol on the Sunday to break the journey up.

Seem to have got into the habit of visiting her in October the last few years.

Our petroleum powered car is not big enough for me to take female attire, as I don't travel light - but I can manage a week.

I last blogged about being in Nottingham on the 21st, I drove back home on the Saturday, then spent the rest of the day packing and getting ready to go.

We left for Bristol about 8am on Sunday, and arrived around 1pm. Had lunch and lots of talking and tea then a roast dinner, and then more talking before bed.

It was very nice. We left just before 9 on the Monday, my friend works from home, so we needed to get out of her way before then.

We got to Tenby 1ish I think, the caravan was meant to be available by 2pm, but had been done early which was nice.

I had ordered a 'Silver' one , which usually means 'not tired' but this was brand new, and verrrry nice, and seemingly nearly new.

We had a nice week, Monday we just explored Tenby, and the island fort. Tuesday we did Pembroke Castle, and then an zoo type thing the next day. 

Thursday the kids wanted to do another animal place, so the wife took them there, and I had the afternoon to myself pottering about Tenby.

Friday we drove home, A roads most of the way through Wales, some lovely scenery. Grabbed a nice lunch at a nice little greasy spoon café in Welshpool.

Didn't get home until late afternoon.

I think I confused the Mrs one morning by being a bit amorous. I think she had resigned herself to me perhaps being just be friend going forward. I am a spreader of uncertainty, which doesn't feel great. 

But It was a nice break, good to see the kids happy.

 

Saturday Night

I was itching to go out, and there was a Halloween event at the local bar in Wakefield. 

I had a spiderweb detailed dress from Voodoo Vixen that seemed appropriate - I had got it months earlier.

Did seem to squeeze some bits of flab out the sides of the sleeve holes though, so put a back knitted shrug on too. 

Also my forms were quite visible, so went with the modesty camisole too.

Went with a more gothic makeup look, dark blue lipstick, and smoky eyeshadow with some blue to compliment the lipstick. 

Decided to go with the normal wig, as I still wanted to be recognised, and it was that or a cheap long black one really.

I think it worked quite well, I was by no means the best dressed however - there was a prize for best dressed, and some had gone all out with costumes and fake blood :)

Philippa

But anyway I did at least look like I had made an effort. Better than the group who all came as where's wally.

Some of the Trans-Wakefield crew were there, I hadn't checked their discord so didn't know they were going. 

Philippa was there who I had spoken of before, she is really lovely, we had a good chat - she was just back from a mini cruise. We did talk of her cancer, but only briefly, she doesn't like to bring the mood down.

Even managed to get some photo's with her. She may be attempting to pop along to next Friday's LFF, which will be nice for her to experience. 

She certainly won't have been in a room with so many trans folk at the same time before. She was feeling a bit under the weather so left early. 

Michelle

I had spotted a trans person walking around and looking a bit lonely. 

I had been waiting for an opportunity to go talk, but she found a friendly chap outside when vaping who brought her over and introduced her to us instead.

Her name was Michelle, had only been dressing for 3 weeks, but she looked really good. 

She ended up sat beside me, and we spent a few hours talking - a Wakefield local, within walking distance of the bar. 

It also came up that she was also thinking of LFF on Friday, so I may now have two to show around !   

Should see her before hand at the Thursday trans-Wakefield group too.

I was getting a bit tired so I did my usual trick of disappearing at midnight. Michelle seemed to be feeling very huggy, think it was all quite emotional for her to connect with the group. 

While waiting for the car to demist, I had a young lad politely knock on the window of my car to ask if I was single. I was already a bit nervous and had locked my door before he got close. 

It was quite unexpected. Once I told him I was married he apologised and left, a bit odd.

I told a friend later, and they asked me if I dragged him into the car, clearly I have a reputation !

Holidays

 I have been missing multiple Thursday social group meetings due to clashes with my wifes schedule, and thus lack of childcare. Also lately we were on holiday in Scotland for a week. So I haven't really had a great deal to blog about - in terms of recording these events at least.

It's likely I will have to miss the next Chams one too, my wife has other commitments. But no matter there are plenty still to come this year.

The holiday was not just a break from work, and being home, it was a break from my femme self - mainly caused by lack of boot space to take the necessary supplies. Even a few days away for Izzy seems to require an inordinate number of bags !

But I survived, had a back log of Insta content to churn out, could interact with people using that. I think I was craving it more because I didn't have access to dress. Perhaps if I had the stuff, I wouldn't have been so needy of it.  1st world problems I know !  - I appreciate I am incredibly lucky with the freedom I have.

It was a nice holiday, lots of walking, very relaxing, and I even managed to buy a nice rainbow egg cup!

The 1st Saturday back I got dressed and went to Meadowhall :)   - I was tempted by a rainbow ish handbag, designer, silly money. I just thought I would go in and have a look at it, then 5 mins later I'm walking out with it. My wife didn't kill me, but I now can't complain about anything she buys for months - possibly for ever.

But it is lovely .......

On returning I did four photo sets for Insta, with fishnets for #fishnetfridays 

That seemed to fullfill the need :)