Liverpool - an extra post

So much happened on our day out in Liverpool that I haven't posted about - sooo much ....
There were lots of photos, laughter and 'wowing'.
We saw so much on the Bus Tour, but it was a restricted route, when we travelled on the last bus - Liverpool Transport - we saw some different parts and, at one time, wondered if we were lost!!!
But dependable bus drivers work in Liverpool!!!!!

But back to the sights and wanna visits ....

An English Memorial next to a fabulous Chinese Gate......

so English!!!

so Chinese!!!

.... The Liver Building ....so well known ....

.... St Nicholas Church ....

.... a ship for a weather vane ....

.... Hard Days Night Hotel .... with their statues ...




.... dressed for Christmas  as only Liverpudlians could ....

.... and there are two more ....

.... Rodney Street .... very posh ....

 ... and the sculptures ...

.... formerly the White Star Shopping Line offices ...
 .... Titanic tickets were sold here ....

.... I want to walk among these suitcases ....

.... and pop in here ....

 ..... (legend says it was John Lennon's local)

..... Queen Victoria's monument  .... 

.... very ornate, like an Italian Piazza ....

These two very happy people will definitely go again  ....

... possibly next year .... 

.... paying their own travel costs themselves ...

What has N started?!?!

Liverpool - Post no 5 ..... the last one!

As it was tea time we found a table in The Fall Well and then realised that Thursday is Curry Day at Wetherspoons so .......









I have to comment here on the Ladies Room,  amazing.  All mirrors and lights!!!



Fully replenished, we walked back up the hill to Lime Street Station, found our platform and there was the train was waiting for us to board.  A good restful journey home and a good day had by all!

We had such a lovely day .....

I would love to come back and visit the parts we could not visit today, the Anglican Cathedral, the rest of the shops and the Tate at the Docks, St James Hall and of course the 'Liver Building'.

Each one of us enjoyed the day ... Thank you Liverpool

Liverpool - Post No 4 .... of many

Ferry across the Mersey .... lyrics and YouTube    
BTW   that's how long I've waited to visit Liverpool!!!!

I managed to get a seat inside with a clear view of where we would be going, PJ sat outside on the side facing where we had left the land - Port or Starboard? I don't know?!?!?
N spent her time moving between us and taking photos.
Of which there are a few .....


The Spaceport ... showing Dr Who features and excitements ....

 ... on the opposite side of the river an air vent for the Mersey Tunnel ....

what a magnificent building ...

.... Saying goodbye to the land ......

....  a small ship....

....followed by a large ship! ....

.... the two Cathedrals with the Liverpool Eye just about showing .....

.... what a great time we had, the commentary gave us fascinating information, we drank coffee and wine and beer - well, one of them!!!

... and back to land we came....

..... and where was the bus?

Stopped running at 16.00hrs that's where!?!?!

So there we sat ....  on a bench in a bus stop, waiting for a non-existent bus!!!
.... and then, as we sat and discussed the situation, another bus (not the tour bus) pulled up, when we asked the way back to Lime Street we were told to catch the next bus, that would take us .... Told you the natives were friendly!!!
So, eventually,  the bus pulled up ....  we boarded and off we went .... out into the city, where, what, only the how - on a different bus!
 45mins later the driver dropped us back where we began .....

The Fall Well

Liverpool - Post No 3 .... of many

Alighting from the bus we walked along to the opening to the shops and were greeted by an amazing set of buildings including shops and eating places and even a Tate Gallery!  We walked round, browsing the 'souvenirs' inside some of them, although One Certain Gentleman was enticed by the large telescope set up in the window .... see previous post!




We walked along the side of the quay, even found our boat!

At the end of the shops there was a walk way to the Ferry point so we decided to enjoy the walk, the weather was good and it was very pleasant walking.




There was an area set aside for some sculptures, including this one of Billy Fury among them ....





... and I was dared ....










During our bus tour we saw several of these weird sculptures ....










.... and as we walked along to the Ferry Point we found a few more ....

Curious?

Find out more here and there are more photos here




The Ferry Point is another modern building, housing a Beatles museum but we didn't tarry, we bought our tickets and headed down the runway to catch the next Ferry to leave ....

Liverpool - Post No 2 .... of many

The Metropolitan Cathedral is a beautiful modern building, we had some fun trying to find our way in from the bus stop but eventually we made it.

There are four bells in the unusual bell tower outside, supposed to represent the Gospel Writers but Liverpudlian wit comes through and, apparently, locals know them as Paul, John, George and Ringo!



The inside is amazing, so much glass - not just stained but plain giving the whole building a light yet spiritual feel.




The central tower consists of glass panels and, when the sun shines, it really comes alive!



We walked round, looking inside several side chapels and found that everywhere was richly adorned with modern art in various forms.  I don't know whether I enjoyed it all, I kept saying that's different most of the time, but the Stations of the Cross, made out of metal, really had me thinking .... I still don't know whether I like them or not ...

We found our way round to the cafe and stopped for a sandwich and tea, really attractive place but service was not the best - wondered if the staff actually knew what they were doing - but the food was good and as we were getting ready to leave it started to fill up with customers.  The bus brought us back to the Albert Dock and the next part of our 'adventure'!

Snug as a Bug ... and other things

This afternoon I found this in our front room .....

Nuff sed!!


On a finer point ... PJ has mended my tree ... so ....

... just in case you can't see it ........

                            .... here's a telescope ......

This was spotted in a shop in the docks area and, after much discussion, the order was placed - it was free delivery after all! - and we continued on our trip round Liverpool.

The 7 - 10 days delivery time became 2 and PJ has had a great time chasing stars.

Liverpool - Post No 1 .... of many ....

We were up early (07.30hrs) to catch the train up to Liverpool, me, PJ and N.  I thought we would hit the rush hour traffic but the train into town was relatively empty, very hot inside but we had seats together.  Across the town we walked, empty again except for the few people who were either late for work or early for shopping!  
New Street Station was busy but we found our platform and had only a few minutes to wait for the train to Liverpool Lime Street Station - magical words to me, so often heard but never visited.

During our journey we speculated on the Iron Horse Silhouette situated at New St Station and others along the route to Wolverhampton - Horses information can now be found here.


An hour and a half later we arrived and, as we stood on the platform trying to decide where to go, a helpful sandwich bar server directed us to the information centre to collect a map.  Seems the natives are very friendly!

Taken from a high view

So out into Liverpool we stepped, magnificent buildings surprised us.

We were interested in this massive building - St Georges Hall - we thought it was a museum but later, on our tour bus, we learnt it was a concert hall.

We passed this pink building which is now Student accommodation - North Western Hotel - didn't realise it was so beautiful until we crossed over to St Georges hall and we could see the building as a whole.  

We managed to find the Tour Bus stop .... 

....... and looked back up the road .......

All aboard .... on the top deck of course!!!  It was cool up there but not too cold, even with the wind.  


The commentary started as we moved away from the bus stop, driving past the gardens/cemetery behind St Georges hall.  

line of Griffin Heads

Full of information for us but for you, my dear readers, a few shots from our journey ......

Large clock face

We heard the bells from this Bell tower before we arrived there, another fantastic 'red building', those Victorians really were proud of their city!!

Then we saw the Metropolitan Cathedral - Modern stuff here ... we decided that we would come back and visit later.

Almost opposite is the Anglican Cathedral ....
Magnificent!!!!

We drove round here and were amazed how deep down were the cemetery and the 'walk' round to the monument.


We came up to the Lewis's shop - now defunct and were told of Dick Lewis - see if you can spot him in this link!!

Round the docks - just a taster you understand ..... but  .... we are coming back here to explore!

Along the river frontage and ..... The Liver Building!
Liverpool's iconic landmark - I watched the 'Liver Birds' on TV while growing up, loved it and always wanted to see 'the birds'!!!


We passed by the ferry terminal, where we would cross the Mersey - sounds like a song ....'Ferry cross the Mersey....'


So we decided to stay on the bus and go to visit the Metropolitan Cathedral ...............

2013 Christmas Bauble

Announcing the arrival of Bauble for 2013 ....

Every year we buy a new bauble for the tree .....  I spotted this beauty when out searching for paper and paint - don't know how it managed to jump into my basket!!!!

It's a lot shinier IRL but this is the best I can do ....