5th March G'wed Soft Lad

I'm not really sure what I was expecting coming to Liverpool. I'm not a fan of The Beatles, whose music and images seem to be everywhere, even on the mints that graced a mid morning cup of coffee. Neither am I a supporter of the cities two famous football teams and the accent has to be one of the most grating regional sounds in the UK, rivaled only by the one forund in parts of Birminhgham.

It is a city that from the outside can be stereotyped and seem at times not just to have a chip on its shoulder but a whole bag of them on both. Or, and here's the lesson I am learning, it could be seen of a city and a population that are really proud of who they are despite what they have been through.

Today after a lovely night in our AirBnB we were woken to what sounded like a herd of elephants from the room above us but which i suspect was just one or more children running back and forth across the wooden floor wearing what I can only assume to be clogs. No need to set an alarm here!

The plan today was simply to wander along the river front, one initiated by catching a bus from the bottom of our street for the 10 min ride right into the heart of the city, alighting adjecent to the Albert Docks.  At 10am I think its fair to say that it wasn't at it's liveliest with most of the shops, cafes and trinket stores appearing to aim for the 11am - 4pm tourist buses. 

Still on a perfect spring day, under a cloudless blue sky and with just a hint of a chill in the air, it was glorious just to meander. Circumnavigating the docks we wandered down towards Pier Hear, passing by the trinity of buildings known as Three Graces, the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, where TOM had his photograph taken with The Beatles (not literally as at least two of them are dead).

We then spend a really interesting time in the museum of Liverpool which had some really good displays in it, even if a lot of the statistical information shown was a good 15-20 years out of date and in need a real revival. We even met Mandy Mandala Superlambanana!! (look it up). Sat listening to Gerry and the Pacemakers sing 'Ferry cross the Mersey' as we sat watching the Ferry go up and down the Mersey in the glorious sunshine was evocative.

With hunger pangs begining to bite we wandered through the heart of the shopping area of Liverpool, pausing to refresh ourselves in 'Spoons before finding the location of the theatre for tomorrow nights little trip out. Back at the AirBnB by 3.30pm, a couple of daytrippers with tickets to ride, both tired and ready for 40 winks but having had to quote Lennon and McCartney...a day that really was something to twist and shout about.