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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Never mind the bollards, it's me in Liverpool!


That's a Yellow Submarine in the background. And I'm a Day Tripper. I look like I've had a Hard Day's Night too.

I've never actually been to Liverpool before, but after thirty-nine years on this planet, what better day to choose for my first ever visit to Merseryside than the day they announce the findings of the Hillsborough report. It gave me the chance to offend the locals within half an hour of arrival.

Unbeknownst to me, the entire city was holding a two-minute silence at 3:06pm to commemorate the 96 dead. My train had pulled in at two-thirty, and by three o'clock I was browsing the postcards in WHSmiths, trying to choose one for Amelie. Six minutes later, I was at the till, wondering why no one would serve me. I thought they'd mistaken me for Kelvin McKenzie. And the trouble with a silent vigil is that when you ask people what's happening, they won't tell you.

Fortunately, having chatted through most of the city-wide mark of respect, I finally realised what was happening, and successfully carried it off as an attack of Tourette's. I feigned a tic as I handed over my money, and the assistant joined in by looking like she was about to swear uncontrollably. It's one thing to say we'll never forget...


... but next time I could do with a reminder.

Anyhoo, despite the pouring rain and lack of decent directions, I eventually made it to the Liverpool Travelodge in The Strand. At £29 a night, it's a lot cheaper than the Crowne Plaza where the conference is taking place, and it also has one key advantage...


It's built on a Tesco Express. It's like having a well-stocked larder just along the hallway. It was all I could do to stop myself popping down for ice cream every half hour.

My room is one of the windows in the very top right. The chap on the desk offered me any room I wanted (I'm sensing they're not fully booked) so I asked for the one with the best views. Ten minutes later, I was on the 8th floor with my suitcase unpacked, taking this photo from my window...


That's looking south towards the Albert Dock, best known as the former home of Fred Talbot's weather map. If I turn the camera to the north, I get this...


Obviously it took me quite a long time to turn the camera north. Frankly the sun had gone down and I was getting ready for bed. But my window has views of the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. Or the Three Graces of the world famous Liverpool Waterfront, as they're also known. Personally I was more interested in Fred Talbot's weather map.

Having settled into my surroundings, I soon headed out for a bit of sight-seeing. I saw the Liverpool Playhouse theatre...


... which is next door to a branch of Poundland, and has the Radio City tower sprouting up behind it, before managing to unearth The Cavern...


I think that's Justin Bieber on the left. I'd taken about twenty different photos...


... before I realised that was The Cavern pub. The Cavern club where The Beatles were born was on the other side of the street...


Having examined the Liverpool Wall of Fame and failed to recognise most of them, I then walked to the World Museum, discovered they were about to close, and instead strolled through St John's Gardens, with St George's Hall in the background...


The police were busy closing the surrounding roads for another Hillsborough-related vigil, so I made my way back through the city centre to the waterfront, where I took a few photos like this one...


... before retiring to the Travelodge via Tesco Express. By 7pm I was knackered, and at 8pm considering bed. I had a text message inviting me to drinks with the council at nine, but I respectfully turned it down. I've got two nights away from the children, and I need to catch up on some sleep.

5 comments:

Lisa said...

Having seen the photo of you in Liverpool, Amelie said "so Daddy won't be picking me up from nursery then". I think she's right.

Phil's Mum said...

I had no idea there was so much to see in Liverpool - and you seem to have seen it all in less than 4 hours.  You might as well come home now.

Lisa said...

And at least with all the police around, you'll be alright if you get mugged.

Bursnell said...

Have you been to the Tate Gallery in the docks yet? When I went, they had a pile of bricks in a corner and had the cheek to call that art.

Big Sis said...

Well it puts my £30 / night hotel in Barbados look quite shabby in comparison.