On Thursday, a marvellous treat, our friends Pauline and Neil came to see us. We firstly had an essential catch-up chat on board “Chance” over coffee and Doug’s freshly made coffee cake. We then walked up to what is now, our favourite ‘pub’ – officially called the Philharmonic Dining Rooms! Designed by Walter Thomas, it was built around 1898-1900 and is really quite the most amazing hostelry we have ever come across.
We decided to eat in the Grand Lounge – Pauline, James, Doug and Neil.
This is the Grand Lounge fire place ………
….. and the two ‘snugs’ – Brahms and Liszt!
We had a great meal and, after a wonderful day with much laughter as always, Neil and Pauline headed back to their home. It was such fun to meet up with them and it won’t be too long before the next time!
During the evening, we walked down to the Cruise Terminal and, on the way, we bumped into these four lads!
We heard Celebrity “Silhouette” was leaving Liverpool that evening so we went to wave the big ship off.
With Beatles songs being played from the loudspeakers we watched as the ship fought against the strong wind to get off the berth and then, with the music changed to Rod Stewarts ‘Sailing’ we watched it turn and head out to sea.
As we turned to walk back the Liver Building was magnificently lit up with the sunset.
On Friday morning our friends and neighbours, Debbie and Danny’s, time was up and they left the dock at the set time of 8 o’ clock. (thanks to D and D for this pic of “Chance” from the water as they left). It was terrific to be their unplanned berth-mates and lovely to meet up with them and, of course, Debbie’s mum Mavis!
James went off to visit the Walker Gallery on Friday. The plaza at the rear of St. George’s Hall is bordered on one side by the gallery, the Central Library and the World Museum and in it’s centre the magnificent Wellington Column.
The gallery holds some fine works of art and a few, which enriched James’ visit, are here. One of his favourite artists, JMW Turner – ‘Landscape’. This painting was found rolled up in Turner’s studio after his death in 1851.
Not a favourite artist – but this seemed to jump out a bit – Lowry’s “The Fever Van”.
“Self Portrait as a young man” by Rembrandt
“Portrait of King Henry VIII” by Hans Holbein the Younger.
An early copy (and no less intriguing) of the “Mona Lisa”. It’s one of a number of known copies and research is continuing into it’s origin.
Finally, the huge, and accurate record of “Napoleon Crossing the Alps” by Paul Delaroche.
Leaving the Walker Gallery and heading back into town to meet Doug, James came across a wedding at the gargantuan and enormously impressive St. George’s Hall.
After a spot of late lunch we went to experience Mathew Street, or more commonly referred to to as Beatle Street”. This is the entrance to the original Cavern Club where the Beatles, Cilla Black and many many other famous groups and singers performed in the early days. The new Cavern Club is very close by.
Statues of Beatles pop up all over the place of course. This one of John Lennon leans against the Cavern Wall of Fame where ……
………. each brick highlights the names of all the bands and artists who appeared at the club between 1957 and 1973.
“George” stands aloft at the head of Mathew Street.
You can be walking quite happily along the street and suddenly another “Beatles” icon appears. Here’s Eleanor Rigby!
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