“I have heard of the greatness of Liverpool, but the reality far surpasses my expectation”.
Prince Albert, 1846
A visit to Liverpool hadn’t even crossed my mind this venture to the UK, but that’s the great thing about not having a set itinerary – you can make one up as you go along. The one time I’d planned to explore the city was in ’89 on my return to London after working in Scotland. Unfortunately, that was at the same time of the fatal Hillsborough disaster, so it just didn’t seem right to visit a city in shock and mourning after such a tragedy.
The opportunity never arose again, until now that is. After a night catching up with old friends M&M, an idea was laid, a plan was hatched, throw in a few too many English Ales, horribly hungover and there I was, trying to book a train from Chester to Liverpool. Too much alcohol and too little sleep but we managed to that Liverpool-bound train, quite possibly rattling more than the train. Once we got there though, there wasn’t any great enthusiasm to paint the town Liverpool red, so we settled on a quiet pie and pint at the Old Post Office Pub, and I have to say, the pie was one of the best of pub pies I’d eaten, and I’ve eaten a few.
The next morning, we were feeling fresh and ready to explore. Now the big fella had been to Liverpool and St Helena’s before, always with the boys and always something to do with league. Not this time, this was a going to be a cultural tour! Starting with a wander down Mersey River-side to the Royal Albert Dock an area that had dominated global trade at the start of the 19th century (so my research tells me), fallen into desertion and decay in the 1970’s, then after 25 years of preservation and redevelopment is now the vibrant heart of the cities historic waterfront (so the marketing said). The place to play, to see, to eat, drink and stay, apparently.
Now, I’m not sure if it was the early hour, the overcast day, or what ever else but the most vibrant thing here was the cool eclectic food trucks and a portrait of the Beatles made from 15 thousand jelly beans. It was pretty cool none-the-less and I could certainly see the potential vibrancy as it were wrote.
A visit to Liverpool without a visit to Mathew Street, heart of the Beatles Story is a lot like going to Hawaii and not visiting Pearl Harbour or going to Auckland and thinking you’ve been to New Zealand. The Cavern Quarter in Liverpool home of the world-famous Cavern Club and a plethora of bars and restaurants was crazy busy. This was where so much action was happening, the expected tourists yes, but I’d not expected, nor had I ever seen so many ‘Hens’ groups ever, let alone in the one place. All pretty boisterous and it was barely lunchtime!
The party had already started, and we were playing catch-up! Liverpool was going off, and although it is known for a thriving nightlife, the party doesn’t wait until night-time to start. They were rocking our vibe and we didn’t shy away from the challenge.
Can I just mention here that I was loving this place? The Phil was also going off, barely a table to be had, definitely none inside but we managed to find a spot outside for a wee wine and a G&T. This place is pretty spectacular, and so worth a look. Once again, no photos but just go, take your own snaps or just soak it in.
We meandered from there to here . . .
It got a bit fuzzy after that , but yes, Prince Albert, I’m inclined to agree!