The Leaving of Liverpool

Look at my new penguin chums!

As you can see I’m quite at home in Liverpool, and in the words of the song; it’s wonderful to be here, it’s certainly a thrill.

I was promised a surprise upon my arrival and truthfully I got one. I had no idea that Liverpool was planning a public art display based around the humble penguin. When I heard about the Go Penguins project it made me very proud. I don’t mind telling you it brought a tear to my eye. And I’m not a bird easily moved to emotion.

So, once the tremors had subsided, I couldn’t resist popping along to meet these two chaps – the LFC and EFC penguins. The entire colony of more than 150 (some of whom are in the background here) has offered its support to Smokefree Northwest. I knew it would – we penguins are such reliable creatures. For more information on the Go Penguins winter event, do visit their jolly clever website.

I thoroughly enjoyed my week off - it was spent knee-deep in frozen peas and ice lollies. The store manager was none too chuffed, I can tell you.

As enjoyable as this was, I did miss you all. Sadly, I fear it was but a taste of things to come since this shall be my last blog entry before I head home to the frozen wastes. Speaking of which, I’ve had a postcard from Mummy who tells me to brace for a warm summer. She reports that the Antarctic spring has sprung, the permafrost is isn’t so perma any more, and that the air temperature is -6°C. Disturbingly balmy I’m sure you’ll agree.

Such a pity that I’m leaving the North West just as your weather is picking up. I’ve had a marvellous five weeks touring the region and meeting fabulous people of all ages and backgrounds – many of them determined to bin the cigarettes and wot not.

Liverpool PCT can help you do that you know? Last year an astonishing 4,483 people across the city became smokefree with the help of its stop smoking team. The Smokefree squad are in the Liverpool One shopping centre till Sunday but, if you can’t get along there in person, do call my Penguin Stop Smoking Hotline on 0800 032 7252 for more information.

The more gifted among you may remember that my journey began back in September when I helped to launch the Smokefree Northwest tour in Trafford. Since then I’ve been from Crewe in the south to Carlisle in the north. From Workington in the west to Oldham in the east. But now, my long and winding road has brought me to Liverpool - my final destination.

Don’t you think it apt that I should take my leave of you from a great port city? Particularly at a time when so many others of my kind are arriving here. I wish Go Penguins all the luck in Antarctica, but it’s now time for this penguin to go too.

I won’t dwell long on this – otherwise I shall end up blubbing and pounding my chest. Suffice to say I never dreamed that during my trip I would learn as much as I have from so many tremendous darlings.

In the words of a Beatle and on behalf of me and my fellow penguins: You’re such a lovely audience we’d like to take you home with us.

Stay healthy and smokefree. Toodle pip.

X

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.

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!

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!