Following Dot's route via central Liverpool (and using the train to get there) involves a 4-stage journey, as follows:
Bus to either Hunts Cross or Liverpool South Parkway
Train to Liverpool Central
Underground train to Liverpool Lime Street
Train to Blackpool North (hourly direct service)
You can also do it in 4 stages, as follows:
Bus to either Hunts Cross or Liverpool South Parkway
Train to Edge Hill
Train to Huyton
Train to Blackpool North
You can cut it to 3 stages (but with a longer journey time and possibly a higher fare), as follows:
Bus to Hunts Cross
Train to either Deansgate or Manchester Oxford Road (ask at Hunts Cross where best to change)
Train to Blackpool North
However, the best journey (which comes back to Dot's route via central Liverpool) is probably this one, which requires just 2 stages:
AirLink 500 bus to Liverpool Lime Street (every 20 or 30 minutes, �2.50)
Train to Blackpool North (hourly, about �13 - exact fare depends upon the time of travel).
Chris