Liverpool..much more than the Beatles

 Yesterday we arrived in Liverpool. It strikes me as a deeply industrial city, although I ‘m not sure that is an accurate assessment. Maybe it just is because where we have our rooms, its rather dirty, and austere. Anyway, the first day here I just laid around and rested. Al and Steve went out to explore and find The Cavern Club . Here’s a sampling of what they found:

 

 

They enjoyed their time listening to music and exploring The Cavern Club!

After a night’s sleep, we all headed out to enjoy the city centre and the waterfront. Our first stop was the Mersey Ferry.  Of course we wanted to go across on that!

There was lots to see from the ferry of the skyline of Liverpool.

This is one of the ventilation shafts for the first underwater tunnel in the world. 

The second ventilation shaft. 

Liverpool by boat

All over the city there are statues and bronze sculpture.  Here’s Al with the Fab 4 in front of the. Ferry building.

After the ferry ride, which was cold and windy, we went to the Beatles Story. A chronological and interesting account of their careers..

On our way we came across a candy store with this picture..made from 15000 jelly belly candies! Everything is Beatles here!

Memorabilia throughout the Beatles Story

 It was interesting but truthfully, Im kinda Beatled out now!

In case you think Liverpool was nothing before the Beatles, here’s some pictures of the city we took from a HOHO bus tour near the end of the day. Liverpool was the major shipping port for the Northern UK and it was here that the Titanic was bonded.  The home offices for its owners was here, there was ship building going on,and it was a trade center. But first: Eurovision was here last week ( we watched it while in London..Most fun television ever) So Susan and I got our souvenir picture!

The catholic cathedral

Quite modern

During WW2 Liverpool was heavily bombed. This church was bombed and burned. The city decided to leave it as it is and use it as a memorial to the losses received. 

So many of the houses were also completely obliterated. This is one remaining house in an entire neighborhood.

 China town

My impression of Liverpool improved with today’s tours. I ‘m not sure I need to visit again, but am glad I came and look forward to the next three days in Scotland.