Superb Salford

It's been wonderful here in Salford today, despite the rain. I was so looking forward to visiting and it hasn't disappointed - thanks to 11 year-old Demi Higgins for being among those to show their support.

I was aware of the city, of course, through the works of LS Lowry - you know, the chap who painted matchstick men, and matchstick cats and dogs. All very well, but why not penguins? Come on LS - step up!

If you’re keen to stop smoking but you weren't in Salford today please do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

A short Saturday blog from me today, in fact that’s it from me for an entire week.

You see the smashers at Smokefree Northwest have been so impressed with my work ethic that they’ve insisted I take some time away. So I’m off to the supermarket, where I suspect I’ll find a nice cool freezer aisle, and I'll make myself at home.

See you for my final appearance in Liverpool on 3 November – I’m told there’s a big surprise in store. How exciting!

Toodle pip!

Overwhelmed in Oldham

I’ve headed north and arrived in glorious Oldham.

Followers of this blog will have gathered long ago that we travel on a pretty tight schedule here at Smokefree Northwest and our regional tour would have limped along without a little technological assistance. So we’d like to say a big thank you to our team of boffins back in Antarctica. They’re the folk who developed our GPS (Global Penguin Support) thingamajig; a paper-based device which looks like a traditional map and can be used in the same way.

As per, I digress. Oldhamers have been uncommonly warm in their welcome today, particularly the student chappies above, and they all seemed awfully keen to stub out the ciggies. After all, last year an astonishing 1,653 people became smokefree with help from Oldham Community Health Services Stop Smoking Service.

If you’re equally keen to stop smoking but you were unable to get to Oldham this aft. please do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

I’m being urged to visit Gallery Oldham, the hi-tech art gallery, while I’m here in town. The curator-types have a fair few exhibitions installed at the moment, and it’s a well known fact that flightless birds are high-brow when it comes to this sort of thing. That whisper you may have heard about ‘culture’ and ‘vultures’ is a myth; all carrion birds are terrible bores.

See you tomorrow in Salford!

Stockport Shenanigans

I’m afraid we batted off on a sticky wicket here in Stockport today.

HQ advised that I was to meet up with Stockport County Football Club’s twin mascots Animo and Fide. Apparently (and appropriately) their Latin names translate as Courage and Faith – two qualities which we all needed to display in order to locate each other.

You see, there’d been a clerical error regarding our rendezvous and none of us had mobile phones. What rotten luck! Still, we all got together eventually, and I’m so glad we did since we hit it off splendidly. Old A and F, pictured above, are an absolute riot.

Thanks to them and Stockport County for supporting the Smokefree roadshow. The good people of Stockport are certainly doing their fair share to stamp out smoking; last year 1,823 people became smokefree with help from Stockport NHS Stop Smoking Service.

As you can probably tell, I consider myself a renaissance penguin and as such I include history among my many interests. So, upon my arrival, it struck me straight away that Stockport retains its medieval street patterns.

What a charming town this is, with its traditional market and many churches and there are exquisite examples of Victorian, Regency, Georgian and even Tudor buildings. Are you impressed? Impressed by Stockport or me? Do tell. As for Stockport viaduct it impresses me utterly. I’m informed it is one of the largest remaining brick constructions in Western Europe!

I’m off to the Stockport’s hat museum now; the town was a centre for hat-making for many years y’know? I’m fond of the old bonce-warmers, I wonder if they have a gift shop – I’ll need to take something home for kith and kin.

See you this afternoon in Oldham.

Good Old Trafford

I’m back! You may remember I was at the ChillFactor ski centre, right here in Trafford, at the very beginning of my odyssey around the North West. The chaps and chap-esses in charge thought it was a splendid idea to have me (a penguin) there (in the snow) – and it was!

So I’ve returned, though this time I’m down the road in Stretford.

I’ve met some marvellous people here today; they gave an uncommonly warm welcome to the good folk at Smokefree Northwest. In fact, the Smokefree team, who have been pointing people in the direction of NHS stop smoking services, were so pleased with the reception that they’re staying till Saturday. Last year 1,160 smokers quit with the help of Trafford PCT Stop Smoking Service. Shockingly efficient, what?

Trafford has an awful lot going for it y’know. It’s famously home to Manchester United Football Club and Lancashire County Cricket Club – have you ever played cricket on ice? By Jove, it’s thrilling. I still have last season’s bruises.

But this most engaging district is also home to the Imperial War Museum North and Sale Water Park, where you'll find the Broad Ees Dole nature reserve which provides a sort of B&B for migrating birds. I’ve never really understood why some of my feathered friends migrate – what’s not to like about winter?

If you missed me at Stretford in Trafford earlier today but would like to quit smoking, do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

See you tomorrow in Stockport!

A Faux Pas in Runcorn

During my visit to Runcorn’s Halton Lea shopping centre earlier today I bumped into a Viking. You wouldn’t credit it would you? So, being of sound stock, I plucked up the doughty reserve and wandered across.

“Greetings old warrior,” I called, in careful and friendly tones. “I come in peace on behalf of Smokefree Northwest. Are you under the yoke?”, I asked. “Y’know smoke cigarettes and such?”

Dashed foolish penguin am I!

This wasn’t any old Nordic warrior; it was Kemik, mascot to the mighty Widnes Vikings rugby league club. How very embarrassing for me – a sportsman such as he doesn’t smoke!

I apologised and he was most gracious (on this evidence Vikings seem to have an ill-earned reputation). As we chatted it became clear that old ‘K’ had heard I was in town and wanted to lend his support to the whole enterprise.

How flattering! Kemik gave a real boost to our team today. Not that they need it; SUPPORT, the Halton and St Helens PCT Stop Smoking Service, helped 2,858 smokers pack in last year. Utterly sumptuous, what? If you want to find out how NHS stop smoking services can help you quit, do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

I asked Kemik where I could go to wind down in Halton after a busy day on the frontline. He urged me to visit Norton Priory - the ruins of a castle lie nearby; then to cross the spectacular Runcorn and Widnes Bridge - the River Mersey separates the towns; then to visit the Catalyst museum to find out about the area’s industrial history; and finally to spend some time in the picturesque village of Hale.

I’ve a day off tomorrow, so I’m delighted there’s plenty to do around these parts. Especially since the weather is becoming much more pleasing. It’s getting lovely and cold – don’t you think? Maybe I shall spend some time paddling along the shoreline before I head inland for my final foray into Greater Manchester.

Cheshire, you’ve been an utter darling! Till Trafford!

Warrington Nonsense!

Wolfie, mascot to the Warrington Wolves rugby league team, assured me he was taking me to a posh lunch. ‘Black tie’ I was told – do I look like I need eveningwear? I’ve been wearing it since I was little older than a chick!

As you can see, the claim was high jinks on Wolfie’s part and not quite the slap-up feast of legend. To misquote Alice, his words became: “Spuriouser and spuriouser.”

Nevertheless, the sculpture of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is striking and well worth a visit I’m sure you’ll agree. Daresbury, a delightful village on the outskirts of this Cheshire town, is very nearby and the birthplace of Lewis Carroll – author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The keen-eyed regulars amongst you might recognise this as my second blog reference to Lewis Carroll. You see, I’m a fan. And I like to think that if he were alive today, my own adventures around the North West of England might inspire further nonsensical compositions from him. Can you imagine? I wonder what the title would be . . ?

Wolfie made amends for his practical joking with a further surprise. You see, he not only generously donated his time to help promote the Smokefree message today, he and his colleagues at the Wolves Foundation have gone even further: they are offering a free match ticket to Warrington-based smokers who complete the Smokefree programme.

What a result from the Warrington Wolves, esteemed winners of the Carnegie Challenge Cup! To find out more about this exciting offer, contact the Wolves Foundation on 01925 248894. Come on people of Warrington give it a try (gettit?)! Last year 781 people gave up smoking with the help of Warrington PCT. If you want to quit smoking, do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Well, Wolfie and I had a simply marvellous morning in and around Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre. It’s my penultimate day in Cheshire, tomorrow I’m in Runcorn.

See you there!

There's something fishy going on in Bury ...

Bury Market has quite a reputation and I couldn’t resist a potter through there today. Oh my! The variety of foodstuffs on display was baffling – quite baffling.

As I mentioned earlier, I had been looking forward to sampling black pudding, however it appears that they aren’t made from fish after all.

Not fish! Have you ever heard of such a thing? If they’re not made from fish, what are they made of? So, as you can see from the image above, I decided to stick with what I know. Prawns.

Bury was bustling today and so lots of people, young and old, came along to meet me there. But more important was the fact that they were very keen to hear how the NHS can help smokers quit their habit. Last year 950 people became smokefree with help from Bury PCT Stop Smoking Service. Wonderful news!

I’ve decided to dig out my brand new mp3 player today (I don’t have a Waddle-man any more, they’re so 1980) because I wanted to listen to Elbow – what a fine band they are, and from Bury too. Isn’t elbow an unusual word? I wonder if I have one?

One thing I do know is that I have a weekend of relaxation ahead – I really won’t know what to do with myself. So I’ll be back in fine feather on Monday, this time from Warrington in Cheshire.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Actually in Ashton-under-Lyne

I’ve received a wonderful welcome from the people of Ashton-under-Lyne. What a pleasant name this town has! I took a little time last evening to look into its origins, apparently the first part of the name may refer a ‘settlement by ash trees’, but the ‘under-Lyne’ bit appears to be anyone’s guess. If you’ve any ideas, do let me know – I’m a curious penguin.

Ashton-under-Lyne is the birthplace of England’s 1966 World Cup final hero Geoff Hurst – the man who scored the hat-rick in your victory over Germany. I say your victory, but in fact I consider myself to be an honorary English-penguin. I always support England during the World Cup, you see football in Antarctica has never really recovered from the underpitch heating debacle back in 1997 - very embarrassing.

As ever we’ve been urging those smokers among the townspeople to contact the NHS and kick the habit. They’re extremely capable here, last year 1,839 people became smokefree with help from Tameside and Glossop PCT Stop Smoking Service. Incredible!

If you want to quit smoking, but you weren’t in Ashton-under-Lyne today, do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

I’m off to Bury shortly, where I expect I’ll try Black Pudding. Is it fish?

Hey-ho!

A Barrow of Laughs

Here I am in Barrow with Student Meisha Tranter. After travelling the 50-odd miles from Workington (it’s a little further as-the-penguin-waddles), I was not as pooped as I had anticipated. It seems this road-trip is keeping me trim, I certainly feel a healthier and more vital flightless bird for the experience.

I’m having a tremendously good time here in busy Barrow, a town with a lot to shout about. Not only does it have a very interesting history, it is also a centre of industry. The dockland construction yards don’t just make ships, they build submarines too. I think they’re of the type that we sometimes see in Antarctica, the ones that scare the krill. Frightfully bad form.

Once I conclude all this business of helping NHS Cumbria to encourage the good folk of Barrow to stop smoking, I certainly won’t be short of things to do here. There are seals to see just offshore, and the birdlife is excellent - Walney Island is in all the holiday brochures back home. This afternoon I’m hoping to get along to Barrow’s Dock Museum, I’ve heard excellent reports. It appears to be a striking design and I’m told that it’s built over an old dock – extraordinary!

Earlier today, I noticed a poster which indicated that the autumn conference of the Cumbria Industrial History Society will take place in Barrow this weekend. What a pity I’ll miss it, I do like history. My great-great-great-grand-penguin was a keen inventor, and became obsessed with constructing a machine which would allow us penguins to fly again. He developed a winged harness – but it never took off.

If you want to quit smoking, but you can’t get to Barrow today, call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Today is my last in Cumbria and, since I intend to make it one to remember, it’s appropriate I’ve ended up in bustling Barrow.

Cumbria, it’s been a pleasure. Au revoir!

Working(ton) My Way Back North

I was so taken with my trip to Carlisle earlier in this tour that I simply had to return to Cumbria, so here I am in Workington with Stacey and 10 month-old Luke Makin. This is such a beautiful county, no wonder it provided such inspiration for Wordsworth (the most popular poet amongst penguins incidentally).

I passed by his home, Dove Cottage, on the way here to Workington today but there was no time to stop. Apart from having a busy day ahead telling smokers about NHS stop smoking services, I was keen to get some more of the sea air that you do so well in this region. Having filled my lungs in Blackpool I just can’t get enough, and was told that Workington would provide a similarly breezy pick-me-up.

Speaking so freely of geography has gotten me all misty-eyed, don’t you know?

Part of me misses the old Antarctic wastes, after all what’s not to miss? Ice underfoot, stinging gales, and all the herring one can eat. Utter bliss. Talking of ice, I read today that the Arctic is melting. It’s a dashed worry for us in similarly icy circs on the other side of the world, and it made me all the more homesick.

I’m quite the nostalgic aren’t I? But I’ll drag myself back to the present and my duties here in charming Workington. NHS Cumbria has a most excellent stop smoking service which last year helped 2,771 people to quit smoking. We’re seeing plenty of evidence that they retain those persuasive powers and that they are exercising them furiously.

If you want to quit smoking, but you couldn’t meet us today, call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

This afternoon, on leaving Workington, I’m off down the coast to Barrow. I believe nearby Walney Island is rather popular with your native seabirds – I wonder what time they close?

Cheerio!

Blackpool Rocks!

Look at this picture - I’m such a tourist aren’t I? But I couldn’t resist the pose.

Greetings from Blackpool! Here I am with my new chum Bloomfield Bear, mascot to the esteemed Blackpool FC.

Old BB tells me this is a particularly fine time of year to be visiting the resort since the renowned illuminations are at their absolute peak. I’m so very looking forward to seeing them this evening!

I’ve arranged for a day of rest tomorrow so where better to spend it than here at the seaside? I intend to cram lots in over the next 24 hours … candyfloss, a stroll along the promenade, the piers, the Tower Ballroom and a trip on a tram (the one in the picture declined to stop).

But I have to say I’m most looking forward to a ride on the Big One. I’ve never been on a rollercoaster before but I have every confidence in my constitution. We penguins have strong stomachs, we have to in our line of work – have you seen what we eat?

After we took in the brisk sea air, BB and I headed back indoors to the Houndshill shopping centre where the NHS Blackpool’s Stop Smoking Service and the Smokefree team were on hand to point smokers towards a healthier future.

The team there tell me they received some really strong interest from people who smoke but feel they can give up with NHS help. They certainly can, and here’s the proof - last year 1,295 people became smoke-free with help from NHS Blackpool Stop Smoking Service.

If you want to quit smoking, but you couldn’t meet us in Blackpool today, call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Those of you who have been following this blog for any time, may be pleased to hear that dear old mummy and I are on terms again. To appease her, I’ve promised to take a stick of Blackpool rock back to Antarctica. I don’t approve though, it’s bad for her beak.

Toodleoo!

A New Pal in Preston

I remain in Lancashire! After yesterday’s amusements in Burnley I headed west until I reached historic Preston (England’s newest city) where I was greeted by Deepdale Duck, the mascot of Preston North End FC.

Despite being a penguin, I’m a bit of a culture vulture. So I’ve been particularly looking forward to this leg of my tour since Preston has at least six museums and is home to the famous Guild Hall.

I was lucky to have a guide around the city centre in the form of Deepdale Duck. It was an honour to meet him, after all he’s ambassador to a club that was a founder member of the football league back in 1888. DD was tremendously helpful and all too pleased to show me Preston’s sights.

But let’s not forget that there was serious business to be done. So we then waddled off to meet up with our colleagues from the Smokefree North West team who were dutifully pitching their message at a stall at The Mall shopping centre.

While there we met with lots of shoppers, and our persuasive team were able to sign up plenty of smokers interested in making use of NHS stop smoking services. It didn’t surprise me to hear that the Stop Smoking Service at NHS Central Lancashire was able to help 3,228 people become smokefree last year.

If you missed us today, but would like more information on how the NHS can help you quit smoking, call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252. My friends there will point you in the right direction.

DD and I may not be birds of a feather but we did get on famously, and so he’s promised to keep me up to date with how the Lilywhites perform this season. I look forward to it! Good luck PNE!

Sadly, I shall conclude my jaunt around this fair county tomorrow. But fear not! The Lancashire leg is ending on a high; for I will be in that great and historic resort of Blackpool. Fish and chips twice!

Ta ta!

Busy, Busy Burnley!

Hello there. I've just arrived in Burnley, Lancashire!

Just like two year-old Benjamin Ogden on the roundabout, I've been racing round in circles today in this delightful Pennine town!

It really is a deuce of a thing. I'm so busy meeting lots of Saturday shoppers, haven't got too much time to talk to you at the moment. Suffice to say it's all going swimmingly.

If you want to quit smoking, do call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Pip, Pip!

Tootling into Bootle

As you can see, I hit the pick ‘n’ mix this afternoon I’m afraid. Sweeties are my only consolation at the moment. Mummy and I aren’t on good terms ... oh, I'm sorry. You don't want to hear my problems (GET A GRIP PENGUIN)!

Let's start again. Isn’t that Queensway tunnel just the pip?! It was a discombobulating experience imagining that I was deep below the River Mersey, but it was all over in a jiffy and quite thrilling on reflection. There are two road tunnels under this famous river and I’m keen to try the other one – I wonder which is best?

I had a marvellous time today in Bootle. The experience was bracing, nothing but welcoming, friendly people.

I mentioned earlier how many Wirral smokers had given up the fags last year, and there’s a similarly thrilling figure to be found here in Bootle. Sefton PCT Stop Smoking Service assisted 2,522 people in a similar fashion!

But for all this success and good cheer, I don’t mind telling you I’m a bit piqued, and I can't hold back any longer. As I mentioned above, it's dearest mummy. Though back home on the ice, she's been kitted out with broadband having heard about the blog.

I’ve now received a fair old flea in my ear. It seems she’s none too impressed with me, particularly some of the photos. Do you remember when I was in Crewe and that charming young lady gave me a beck on the beak? Mummy didn’t approve.

So, I’m in the bad books. Hence the binge - two chocolate limes and an Uncle Joe's Mint Ball. Oops.

Burnley tomorrow, see you then!

Brilliant Birkenhead!

I’m back on Merseyside and so glad to be here. This time I started my day ‘over the water’ in Birkenhead and it’s been a pip and a dandy. Look here at Sid Cottam with his great grandson Colin Ervine aged just two. What a wonderful day!

I’m assured by our good friends on the smokefree stand that interest has been high among the populace with plenty of shoppers signing up the Smokefree pledge – you’re in safe hands with NHS Wirral Stop Smoking Service – last year they helped 2,359 smokers to kick the habit. Utterly astonishing!

I was hoping to find some time today to see some of the special sights here on Wirral – I’m told the Lady Lever Art Gallery is right up there, as is Port Sunlight itself. But gracious, I’ve been so busy. And let’s face facts; I’m not here to improve myself, I’m here for the good of your health

So Wirral is on my list of North West places to revisit – come to think of it everywhere I’ve been is on that list! That list is now as long as my flipper … or is it a wing?

Just short entries today since I’m in a spot of bother – more later.

Charming Crewe

I’m in wonderful Crewe. Home of the Bentley. I’ve always fancied one of those – a Mark IV to be precise. But it would be utterly preposterous. I couldn’t get the insurance. Alas, this is probably the closest I’ll get to attaining my dream of a wedding car business bearing the name Percy…

Sorry, back to business. Crewe is a transport hub dontcha’ know? And its rail heritage is known all over the globe – even in Antarctica where trains are few and far between. I understand it was the first station in the world to have its own railway hotel. The Crewe Heritage Centre tells the tale of this Cheshire town’s glorious railway history. Unfortunately it wasn’t open during my visit. But that just gives me another reason to return.

I joined my chums in the smokefree team and, by jove, they’re doing stirling work here. The leaflets are flying out and the signatures are stacking up – the smokers of Crewe are all for this ‘packing in’ lark. Our team even managed to sign up someone who was out and about collecting for charity! Bingo!

Quite right too! Smoking is dreadfully bad for us all and the smokefree advisors I’ve met over the last week or so tell me that giving up smoking is the best thing anyone can do to improve their health.

I’ve was delighted to meet some of Crewe’s Polish population here today. And, since I’m quite the linguist, it was the work of a moment to say:

Witam. Nazywam sie Percy Pingwin. Ptzybylem tutja z Antarktyki aby przekonac jak najwiecej osub do zapisania w kampanii Smokefree North West. Wspaniale jest być w Crewe i spotykac tak wqiele polakow z miejscoiwosci. Jeśli jestes palaczem mam nadzieje iż skontaktujesz się z lokalnym zespolem rzucania palenia i pozwolisz im pomuc sobie rzucic papierosy. Wtedy moja podroz dookoła swiata będzie warta chwili.*

I’ve just been told this is worm charming country. ‘What’s that?’ I hear you ask. Let me enlighten you; each summer the good folk of these parts gather nearby (in Nantwich last time around) to hold the World Worm Charming Championships. It’s a great pity I missed out on that. I fancy I might have been rather good and I’ve never tasted worm before.

Toodlepip! I’m off to Birkenhead tomorrow – see you there.

* Translation: “Hello, I'm Percy the Penguin. I've travelled from Antarctica to help persuade as many people as possible to sign up for the Smokefree North West campaign. It's fantastic to be here in Crewe today and wonderful to meet so many of the town's Polish community. If you are a smoker, I really hope you will contact your local stop smoking team and let them help you give it up - then you really will have made my journey around the world worthwhile! Good luck!”

Wandering into Bolton

I travelled back to Greater Manchester today to visit Bolton and meet another sporting hero – the Bolton Wanderers mascot Lofty the Lion.

We met at the town’s Market Place shopping centre, and I have to say that riding those escalator thingies with Lofty was tremendous fun. I was startled to learn from Lofty that they aren’t actually a form of light entertainment – not strictly speaking any way.

I also learned today that Bolton is home to some of your country’s most well-loved showbiz personalities – Peter Kay, Vernon Kay (two Kays!) and Sara Cox. Lofty himself is quite a celebrity and attracted a huge amount of attention to our Smokefree stall. I’m told that all our leaflets were snapped up very quickly – isn’t that just fabulous?!

Let’s hope all of those smokers who took a leaflet, contact the NHS for help – they’re far more likely to quit if they do get in touch. Last year 1,718 people became smokefree with help from Bolton Stop Smoking Service – what a success!

If you want to quit smoking, do call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Well it’s the cat’s pyjamas being here in Bolton – I do hope I can get back before I head back South. I’ve become very fond of the place, perhaps because I too am a Wanderer of sorts ….

Any way! Another busy day on the road concludes, and its time for my tea. I fancy some Arctic Roll – have you ever tried it?

See you tomorrow in Birkenhead!

Roaring into Blackburn

I met up with my old pen pal Roar Lion of Blackburn Rovers this afternoon. It was fabulous to see him in his hometown, and tip top of him to lend his support to our campaign.

I’m afraid the weather wasn’t as welcoming as the people of Blackburn though. When we arrived at The Mall shopping centre it was raining so very heavily. That can only mean one thing - winter is definitely on the way. I can’t wait!

It’s been a good while since Roar and myself were last in touch, so he’s been filling me in on recent events at the club. There was one rather sticky point when I asked how they’d got on at the weekend. I detected a wince. It was a difficult moment. One has to be so careful around lions.

Just then, a rather large pink chap showed up - or was it a chappess?. Any how it called itself the Mall Monster. A rather striking individual and neither I nor Roar knew quite what to make of the turn of events. It turned out that old MM was the resident mascot, but he/she made us quite welcome and even offered us a cuppa.

My colleagues on the Smokefree team were as busy as ever, passing on how very expert the NHS is at helping smokers pack in the habit. Did you know that last year Blackburn with Darwen Stop Smoking Service helped 1,123 people become ex-smokers? Transfixing, what?

This jaunt around the North West is utterly fascinating and a little exhausting too. I’m off to Crewe in Cheshire tomorrow. See you there!

The road to a smokefree Wigan

Well that’s a rummy thing! You haven’t seen my mobile phone anywhere have you? I seem to have mislaid it somewhere between Manchester and Wigan. If you hear it ringing by the roadside, please let me know – it’ll be playing Snow Patrol.

I’m now in rugby league territory at the Grand Arcade in Wigan, and have just met Mighty Max, mascot to the world-famous Wigan Warriors rugby league club. What a shockingly big chap he is! Built like an iceberg, I tell you.

When I heard I was travelling to Wigan, I got in touch with Max to ask if he would come along and help me persuade Wiganers to quit smoking. It hasn’t been an easy week for Max following his beloved club’s defeat in Saturday’s Super League semi-final. But it’s the mark of the man that he didn’t hesitate.

A true sportsman!

I’m so glad he was there because the smokefree team told us they’d received pledges from more than 250 of the town’s smokers during the week – Max was so proud that he spent the next hour telling me all about how wonderful a place Wigan is.

He also told me that all the fellows at the Warriors are right behind the smokefree campaign and that’s a tremendous reassurance.

Actually, the town's buzzing at the moment with gossip about who will take over as the new Head Coach of the Warriors for next year. Annoyingly, the official announcement is tomorrow, so I’ve asked Max to let me know (I really do need that mobile phone!).

Farewell Wigan, sorry it’s been such a flying visit, but I’ve got an afternoon appointment in Blackburn.

Cheerio!

Mooning about in Manchester Arndale

Greetings earthlings!

Don’t worry, I’ve not been abducted by an alien as the picture might suggest.

In actual fact, the cheeky chappy stood next to me is the lovely Moonchester mascot from Manchester City FC. The moon-faced one came to join me at the One Way Street roadshow at Manchester Arndale to encourage Mancunian smokers to quit for good with help from their local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

We spoke to lots of people, including a 77-year-old woman who finally made the decision to quit her 60-cigarette-a-day habit after seeing our One Way Street information pod, because she had “simply had enough of smoking”. Good for her!

Come along and see me soon – tomorrow I’m heading over to Wigan and Blackburn, so if you’re in the area come over and say hello. If you’re lucky, I’ll wave my flipper at you!

Farewell for now, and in the words of Moonchester, Come on City!

Percy

Catching up from Carlisle

What a splendid way to round off the week – visiting captivating Carlisle! From the cheerful welcome I received today it is hard to imagine that in the 17th century Carlisle was the site of so many battles across the border.

I’m becoming quite a student of British history on my tour of the North West, and can’t wait to impress my friends and family back home with the fascinating facts I have gathered. Did you know that the first delivery of newspapers by air took place in Carlisle, or that the city was also home to the first letterbox on mainland Britain? (Better not tell my mum or she’ll say there’s no excuse not to send her a postcard!)

I’m happy to report that lots of the people I’ve met today are aware of our campaign from the television. I’m beginning to feel quite the celebrity as so many people have wanted to have their photograph taken with me – it’s very flattering! Here I am with Vera Sunley, just one of the many delightful people I met.

Then again, there is so much useful information on offer from the stop smoking team here – the team leader told me that 41 people signed up yesterday alone, and I’m sure there will be quite a few today too as we had plenty of takers for our informative leaflets on stopping smoking. Everyone has been so keen that it came as no surprise to learn that last year there were 2,771 successful quitters in Cumbria.

Well the weekend beckons and I’m looking forward to exploring some of the beautiful countryside around the Solway Firth. I’ve heard that it is home in the winter to plenty of migrating seabirds – seeing so many terns, skuas and petrels makes me feel right at home – although I’ll have to explain to them that I’m not migrating, just touring the North West with the lovely Smoke Free team.

If you want to quit smoking, do call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252 … have a splendid weekend, and you can catch up with me again on Monday when I’ll be visiting Manchester.

A lovely morning in Lancaster!

What a wonderful morning I’ve had in lovely Lancaster! I enjoyed a very warm welcome from some friendly Lancashire folk – though the weather was rather chilly today. Just as well I’m used to the freezing Antarctic myself!

And what a rich cultural heritage you chaps have – I was very impressed by your charming castles and museums. There’s nothing like that where I Iive – but then we don’t have the Pendle witches either. I was told the spook-tacular tale of how they were tried and convicted in Lancaster Castle. Oo-er – not that I believe in hauntings of course, but let’s just say I’m glad I won’t be here after dark today!

As a seabird I was hoping to take a trip to the maritime museum, but the morning just flew by chatting to people about how the NHS can help them quit smoking and live a healthy lifestyle.

Despite the drizzly weather, we had quite a few people sign up for the stop smoking service today, which was fantastic - apparently there were over 2000 successful quitters in North Lancashire PCT last year and it would be brilliant if we could do even better this year. Here's a picture of me with Kris Drewery, a lady I met today who had managed to quit after 30 years of smoking – that’s quite an achievement!

After a quick bite to eat (fish and chips of course) there was just time to wave goodbye to my new found friends before setting off North for the next part of my tour - Carlisle.

If you would like to quit smoking, don’t delay – call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline today – 0800 032 7252

Grinning like a Cheshire Cat - even though I'm a penguin

I say! Isn’t Cheshire just spiffing? It’s the home of Lewis Carroll. Author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the man who made popular the grinning Cheshire Cat.

I’ve spent much of this afternoon at Cheshire Oaks Shopping Mall meeting people like Nicole Cannon, from Elton, and lots and lots of eager bargain hunters. One or two people told me they were Christmas shopping and asked that I pass their letters on to Santa Claus. But I couldn’t possibly do that – he lives in the North Pole.

This part of Cheshire is of course a celebrity hotspot and I was delighted to see a bit of showbiz shopping from Terri Dwyer of Hollyoaks – we get that on Freeze-View too. I waved but she mustn’t have seen me.

Frustratingly, I didn’t have time to hit the shops myself. Which is a pity, because my mum specifically asked that I pick her out a pair of designer heels. There’ll be no herring sorbet for me when I get home.

Forgive me mum, I was just too busy. The good people of Cheshire were out in force this afternoon to hear how the NHS can help them give up smoking, and I’m happy to report we were able to get that message out to young and old alike.

Well, it’s been a very busy day and I need to wind down before bedtime. Chester Zoo isn’t far away and it would be good to catch up on some penguin gossip. I also hear the Blue Planet Aquarium is just over the road. I wonder if they’ll let me have a swim?

Would you like to quit smoking? Call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

See you tomorrow morning in Lancaster!

Hello Huyton!

Pip, pip! This morning I’ve been in sunny Huyton on Merseyside, and what a pleasure it was meeting lovely people like ten month-old Katie Deakin. I like to think I caused quite a stir – they don’t see many like me round here.

I was made very welcome and had a chance to learn all about the town. I was very keen to make this my first stop ‘on the road’; you see I’m a tremendous fan of English football, and Huyton is the childhood home of Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool and England football star. Back home in Antarctica, we watch all the top matches on Freeze-View.

I passed the National Wildflower Centre on my way into Huyton, and it looked beautiful, so very green – not at all like my home.

The weather today was glorious. I met dozens of wonderful families and some of the workers at Knowsley Fag Ends – the local stop smoking service. They do fantastic work – did you know they helped more than 1,800 people quit smoking last year? The team brought along some scientific-looking thingamajigs which showed us the amount of poisonous carbon monoxide smokers have on their breath – it reminded me of something I once saw at Casey Antarctic Research Station. Very strange.

Would you like to quit smoking? Call the Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252.

Next stop Cheshire. See you there!