Tomorrow we're going to Liverpool again. This time for Laura's graduation from the Liverpool John Moore's University on the 21st July. She'll be graduating with a degree in Interior Design. It would be nice to spend a couple of days there again. Hard to believe it's been a year since we went there for Kate's. To be honest, like Mike, I do worry for them. Worry about the future and what it holds for them. I don't have kids of my own and I don't think I will. Don't ask why. Time does fly... really fast! Oh dear... am I really that old already?! :)
It's a nice city, Liverpool. But I really don't get all that spending on turning it into a 'cultural centre' city. I mean, 60,000 pounds for the Superlambanana? That is, in case you've not seen it, a big yellow sculpture of a lamb/banana abomination. Honestly! I think the design students at John Moore's University here can do better! Well, maybe I just don't get modern art...
The thing about Liverpool is that it's large, but it has a small city feel to it. Perhaps it's because it's a student town/city. We didn't get to do much exploring around Liverpool last time we were there, just a few of the highlights. The large dockside shopping area, a walk along Albert dock, the Tate museum, the Maritime History Museum (much, much, much prefer this to the Tate). The Tate Museum here was a tad disappointing, I think. Or (again) maybe I just don't get modern art!
ooppss... need to go to a DIY centre now. To be continued... later. :)
BACK!
Yes, Liverpool. Nice place. Vibrant vibe. Walked along the dockside from Albert Dock, enjoying the sun and salty sea breeze. My favourite building here must be the Pump House on the dock. It's a nice little old red-brick building with what looks like a very tall chimney. It was built in the 1800's but it's served its purpose and has morphed into an Inn that gets quite a number of visitors wanting to have a break for tea or coffee or a sip of beer by the seaside.
Right next to the pumphouse is the Colonnades. You'd never have guessed all the little cafes, restaurants and shops tucked away here. It's a UNESCO heritage building and used to be the original dock and landing bays for Liverpool. Walking along the colonades you can't help but imagine what it must have been like back then, with all the dock hands and ships and sailors busy on the loading bays, and what kinds of commodities passed through here. Well, turns out aside from your usual spices, teas and ceramics, they also brought slaves through here. The weekend we were there, the Merseyside Maritime Museum had a showcase on the third floor about the history of slavery and the role that the Liverpool docks played in that era. In fact, it may have been a permanent feature of the museum. Well done Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Our little jaunt started out quiet, but by around 11am when we made our way back to Albert dock, the place was packed with tourists. Still, it was nice while it was quiet in the morning. Had lunch at the Ha Ha Bar, which was quite nice (Laura's recommendation: the Ha Ha Nachos... yummmm). Went for a little walk around town afterwards, to the highstreet, back to Kate's place, stopped for a coffee... all along the way went a little mad with the Nikon (and the mobile camera as well!). Liverpool has quite a number of nice old buildings and interesting architecture. Much prefer the old buildings though. They have a sense of history to them, a regality. Newer buildings reeks of disposable consumerism. They don't make things the way they used to.
*yawn* almost 10.30pm. Time for bed. Se you tomorrow, Liverpool.
It's a nice city, Liverpool. But I really don't get all that spending on turning it into a 'cultural centre' city. I mean, 60,000 pounds for the Superlambanana? That is, in case you've not seen it, a big yellow sculpture of a lamb/banana abomination. Honestly! I think the design students at John Moore's University here can do better! Well, maybe I just don't get modern art...The thing about Liverpool is that it's large, but it has a small city feel to it. Perhaps it's because it's a student town/city. We didn't get to do much exploring around Liverpool last time we were there, just a few of the highlights. The large dockside shopping area, a walk along Albert dock, the Tate museum, the Maritime History Museum (much, much, much prefer this to the Tate). The Tate Museum here was a tad disappointing, I think. Or (again) maybe I just don't get modern art!
ooppss... need to go to a DIY centre now. To be continued... later. :)
BACK!
Yes, Liverpool. Nice place. Vibrant vibe. Walked along the dockside from Albert Dock, enjoying the sun and salty sea breeze. My favourite building here must be the Pump House on the dock. It's a nice little old red-brick building with what looks like a very tall chimney. It was built in the 1800's but it's served its purpose and has morphed into an Inn that gets quite a number of visitors wanting to have a break for tea or coffee or a sip of beer by the seaside.
Right next to the pumphouse is the Colonnades. You'd never have guessed all the little cafes, restaurants and shops tucked away here. It's a UNESCO heritage building and used to be the original dock and landing bays for Liverpool. Walking along the colonades you can't help but imagine what it must have been like back then, with all the dock hands and ships and sailors busy on the loading bays, and what kinds of commodities passed through here. Well, turns out aside from your usual spices, teas and ceramics, they also brought slaves through here. The weekend we were there, the Merseyside Maritime Museum had a showcase on the third floor about the history of slavery and the role that the Liverpool docks played in that era. In fact, it may have been a permanent feature of the museum. Well done Merseyside Maritime Museum. 
Our little jaunt started out quiet, but by around 11am when we made our way back to Albert dock, the place was packed with tourists. Still, it was nice while it was quiet in the morning. Had lunch at the Ha Ha Bar, which was quite nice (Laura's recommendation: the Ha Ha Nachos... yummmm). Went for a little walk around town afterwards, to the highstreet, back to Kate's place, stopped for a coffee... all along the way went a little mad with the Nikon (and the mobile camera as well!). Liverpool has quite a number of nice old buildings and interesting architecture. Much prefer the old buildings though. They have a sense of history to them, a regality. Newer buildings reeks of disposable consumerism. They don't make things the way they used to. *yawn* almost 10.30pm. Time for bed. Se you tomorrow, Liverpool.
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