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 ....

The Nutcracker 2013

It is that time of year - the start of Christmas.
I arrived in town early, but my plan to do a bit of shopping was foiled by traffic diverted from the M6 so I arrived at the Hippodrome with an hour to spare.  I went to the box office and booked a few future shows - another ballet, an Opera and a couple of Musicals - so my diary for 2014 is filling up!!!
I hung around in the foyer and chatted to the doorperson, Teresa, and then had a big hug, and all encompassing hug, a squash, from another doorperson - loud laugh, wide body and merry dispostion!  C arrived and on our way back outside we both received a hug - think bearhug!!  We settled into the Dragon Inn and had a very enjoyable meal and then made our way back to the Hippodrome.  Guess who was on the door?!?!?

Much laughter later we went to find our seats, this year we sat in the Circle, a few rows from the front.  Twas only then that we admitted to each other how excited we both were!!

The music started, the curtain went up and Christmas arrived!
How the story unfolded, the party goers danced and then the Tree changed, the fireplace grew and Clara woke up!  how I love it so!

Not Matthias but same costume

I break here to ask Susan - Art in Stitches -  do you know that your son is being stuffed into a box each night?  Matthias danced the part of the Jack in the Box - energetic and brill!



After the interval we saw Clara arrive on the back of a flying swan .... across the night sky she flew until she reached fairyland ....
 ......... then came the flowers, the national dancers and the Sugar Plum Fairy and then it was all over, Clara woke up and went back to bed ....aaaahhh!!!
Another good show but then when did The Birmingham Royal Ballet ever let us down, well done my friends, well done!

We look forward to seeing you all next year .....

Staying busy

So much going on at this house!  It is being transformed before my very eyes!  I hope to post soon and bring this little Blog up to speed.

I have a half completed front lounge, part finished bathroom and nearly usable kitchen!

So here we are ... off to B &Q again .... more wallpaper seeking, paint choosing followed by delivery checking, box opening, wall painting, wall papering, floor covering and ....  PHOTO TAKING!

Then we will go up into the loft and erect the tree and decorate it for  ..... Christmas!!!!!!!



Some body has already had their Christmas pressie early! ....

Bonfire Night part two

The people were just great, the food excellent and the fireworks .... outdid the neighbours!!!!
PJ looked after the bonfire, although it smoked a bit at first (blast all that rain the last two days), Scrubbie looked after the barbie, J & M provided scrumptious food - especially the pork! - and M sorted a super amount of stupendous fireworks and set them off into the night sky ....



I wish I had a camera to show how great they were but I have a few sort of photos ....

Bonfire

Lighting up the sky

More lighting up the sky!

Bonfire Night part one

It's that time of the year again!

Bonfire night!

Seems to be slightly quieter than earlier years - maybe people have realised that it is much more fun to go to an organised night than go it alone.... maybe shopkeepers are a bit more aware (one hopes!!)

This is an English celebration but why you ask.........?

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

That's what we chant and here's why .... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

So the fireworks have been banging and lighting up the night sky since Friday evening, for a few hours each night ....
but then you see..........

our neighbour has a Bonfire Night Party - a real bonfire, barbecue, drinks and ..... lots of fireworks!  He spends a fortune but everyone has a brilliant night.  The fireworks are stupendous!  Rockets big, noisy and high in the sky!  I am so looking forward to it!

But ....

First there is the tidy up ......
PJ and M have been cleaning up ready, working all day.  All the leaves have been gathered, all the wood cut up, all the fireworks bought ........ food shopping tomorrow.
Glad it's not me ... I've been parcelling up ATCs and putting them into the post.... in the warm!