Liverpool Day 1

I'm so behind with the blips, although this is the third attempt to write this!

Had a brilliant nights sleep, very peaceful.  I was awake around 6;30 but had been sleeping since 9;30.  Travelling always makes me tired.  Although Ben said that his normal time for going to sleep is 11;30 which is far too late in my mind for a 14 year old.  

I got ready, he slept for a while then it was his turn for the shower.  We were out the door about 8:45 and I had picked a place near the cruise terminal for breakfast.  It was a 20 minute walk from our hotel to the Albert Dock area.

The breakfast was huge.  I had opted for granola fruit and yogurt but it was too much for me, far too much nuts etc so I scooped over half and put them in a bag as I hate wastage!  Ben had a full English and only left the tomato.

We walked down to the Three Graces which are The Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building - absolutely stunning buildings.  Enjoyed a wee photo opportunity at the Beatles statue, I would say its a great likeness of the Fab Four you often find statues nothing like the person (Ronaldo/Andy Murray being a coup of howlers).

We decided to head to the Liverpool Museum - a new building on the waterfront at Pier Head.  It's all about Liverpool's diverse history, and it was absolutely rammed on the three floors with such interesting exhibits.  I had no idea that the Chicago overhead railway, the L was based on one that Liverpool had, which was disbanded due to erosion and high costs to fix in 1957.  There was a carriage from then in one of the rooms.  There is no way you could see everything in a couple of hours, but we did our best, and Ben enjoyed it as well.

All that walking and looking at exhibits made up peckish for a light snack and coffee so we found a nice place on our way to the Cathedral via Chinatown.  It was an Italian Bakery so Ben had pistachio croissant and I had a warmed blueberry and both had coffee.  

There was a nice couple sitting at the next table from Crosby, so we had quite a long chat with them over our food.  We found the Liverpudlians really friendly on this whole trip.  Many a great chat was had over the four days!

It was a short distance to the Cathedral and as we approached there was multitudes of schoolchildren exiting the building.  The noise levels were HUGE.  There had been a Big Sing talking place.  This cathedral is the biggest in the UK so plenty room for the many schools that were there.

We met a guide when we were sitting on the chairs having a chat.  She gave us lots of history about the building which was fascinating to hear.  After speaking to her we headed to the Ladies Chapel which had stain glass windows celebrating women who made their mark on history,  What a great idea woman getting applauded its usually men!

We bought a ticket for the tower, as we both love a grand view.  There were two lifts and then 104 stairs.  Not claustrophobic stairs though.  And there was only us there.  The views from the top were unreal!  we could see for miles and miles.  A good choice coming up.  Reminded me of the height of Big Jesus in Lisbon, again went up there with Ben when him and I had our Covid Adventure in November 2021.  That was the first our trips just the two of us, when he was 11.

Next, we decided to head down the street to the Philharmonic Hotel as the Bar there was all Art Deco and a special mention was the urinals in the Gents toilets.  This was told to us by the guide in the Cathedral.  She was a wealth of local knowledge.

Inside of the bar was quite fabulous, Ben went to the loos and there was a sign saying that ladies can come in for a look, just make sure its empty lol!

I did have a look at them...

Time for Tea.

It took three attempts to find a place that I liked.  The first place was too noisy, the second we went to was mainly burgers but the Third was Browns, and it had a lovely ambiance and the meal was nice.  We had the pre theatre menu.  There was an elderly couple from Kirkcaldy at the next table so we chatted with them for the time we were there.  They were supposed to be on a Cunard Cruise round the Adriatic but gave it to their son and wife as they had to cancel as the husband's sister had her 80th party and the lady of the couple forgot about it when she booked the cruise.  The sister was not happy and stopped speaking to them because they wouldn't be able to go to her party.  They had a talk and decided that they should go......

We left there around 8pm and ordered an Uber to take us back to the hotel.  The guy we got was very nice, he was Romanian and when he arrived in Liverpool spoke to English and now he speaks with a Liverpool accent.  Learned just by speaking to people.  He also gave me an insight as to how Uber makes its money, and how poorly paid they are.  

Back at the hotel, we sat downstairs for only a short time as I was shattered.  I told Ben that he needs to get ready for bed for 10 o'clock, he doesn't need to go to sleep but I will.

He's a good lad.  We had a great first day.