When I moved from Ireland to Liverpool 10 years ago, my understanding of the Blackpool Illuminations was as a dreaded metaphor for excessive electricity use. Speaking to locals, I soon realised it had been the highlight of many childhood trips - or worst.

Blackpool as a destination never appealed to me but the illuminations drew me like a moth to a flame. Liverpool's River of Light festival has always been one of my favourite annual events, so the seaside town's version sounded like that experience on steroids.

After years of hearing mixed reviews and wrestling with my own uncertainty about what to expect, I finally decided to see for myself whether the legendary Blackpool Illuminations could win over a city boy with no nostalgic ties to the town.

My first impression of the lights was positive - certainly not the underwhelmingly meagre attempt the vocally negative half would lead you to believe they are.

They were dazzling and strung in abundance along the promenade as expected. I was informed the best way to enjoy the lights was to drive along beneath them instead of walking, so I did.

My journey started just as the sun was setting, so the bright colour lights in front of a dark, moody October horizon was fairly picturesque. Blackpool Tower and its pulsating glow split the background, added to what was a fairly cosy image as a first-time viewer.

I wandered the promenade for a short distance before hopping back into my car. There's really no point setting off on foot as you don't get to experience the whizz by glow of each light - bringing me onto my negatives.

I actually think there should be more lights. I appreciate this may sound like a ludicrous request given more than one million lights are set across six miles but the dead space between the posts and thin frames made it almost impossible to get a good photo on foot.

You're encapsulated in lights when driving along the roads but anywhere even slightly off to the side or on footpaths feels quite dark in comparison. I found it disappointing I couldn't get a decent photo with a colourful explosion in the background no matter where I stood.

It's a small gripe, and I don't want to run up the town's already probably astronomically electric bill higher than it already is, but I think there should be more lights - wrapped around every pole, cascading from their frames, towering in size and obnoxious as possible.

I actually enjoyed the experience and can see why people travel for miles every year to see the lights. They're not nearly as as disappointing as people like to complain they are.

I don't think anything is nearly as exciting as we remember it to be as a child, so most adults may be looking at the lights with an aged disappointment that it doesn't live up to their nostalgic memories.

As a first timer, I don't have any hardcore complaints other than I want more. My fascination with lights and illuminated displays was satisfied but I'm sad I couldn't get an otherworldly photo in front of them.

I think it's still a fabulous night out if you're willing to appreciate them for their own merit without someone in your ear complaining about "how they used to be".

There's a certain magic surrounding the trail I've never experienced anywhere else. My first time visit to Blackpool Illuminations was a cosy night out, filled with colour and an admittedly cheesy sense of whimsy, and I would definitely return next year.