It's Friday so once again I'm joining in with Amy
at Love Made my Home for this week's Five on Friday.
Last week we spent a few days on the Wirral visiting such places as Ness Gardens, Port Sunlight and the Lady Lever Art Gallery, the Williamson Art Gallery and Birkenhead Priory. We also spent a day in Liverpool.
Last week we spent a few days on the Wirral visiting such places as Ness Gardens, Port Sunlight and the Lady Lever Art Gallery, the Williamson Art Gallery and Birkenhead Priory. We also spent a day in Liverpool.
Above is a view of Liverpool taken from New Brighton Beach. My husband wanted to visit New Brighton as he remembered going there as a child arriving on a ferry from Liverpool taken there by his Uncle who worked in the building below.
He also remembers being taken on a tour of the Liver building by his Uncle with his brother and cousins and standing on one of the columns underneath one of the Liver birds.
I'm going to share five things we saw on our day in Liverpool with you.
1. The Dazzle Mersey Ferry
I was so pleased to see the ferry because of its decoration but also because it is The Snowdrop and that is the ferry we travelled on when we sailed up the Manchester Ship Canal from Salford to Liverpool a few years ago. It has been created by artist Sir Peter Blake to commemorate the designs first used on vessels during WW1. The designs worked by 'baffling the eye' and made them hard for an enemy to target. Sir Peter Blake is well known for his design for the sleeve of the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. Which leads me nicely to......
2. The Fab Four
This is a fairly new sculpture by Stoke-on-Trent sculptor Andrew Edwards who I introduced to you a few posts ago when I showed you his sculpture of the WW1 VAD nurse on a bench on The Brampton in Newcastle-under-Lyme with a quote from Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth. The figures in the sculpture are larger than life size and it was quite difficult to get a photo of them with no one posing next to the figures. I was never a huge fan of the Beatles, never saw them live, only ever had one of their records, but they were a backdrop to my early teenage years and certainly the world did seem to change a lot at that time.
3. The Liver Birds
Such an iconic building and the symbol of the bird is found all over the city. It was wonderful to see this building in the distance from The Snowdrop at the end of our trip up the Manchester Ship Canal and out onto the River Mersey before docking nearly opposite the building. He is a link to the blog post I wrote then.
4. The Lambananas
Another thing that is newly symbolic of Liverpool and presumably the catalyst for all the other decorated animals and birds that seem to appear every year in towns and cities across the country. The first Lambanana the Super Lambanana first appeared on the streets of Liverpool in 1998. Here is a -link- to its history.
The figure above is Mandy Mandala Lambanana and she was one of 125 of which in 2008 appeared on the streets of Liverpool as part of the city's year of being the European Capital of Culture.
The figure above is Mandy Mandala Lambanana and she was one of 125 of which in 2008 appeared on the streets of Liverpool as part of the city's year of being the European Capital of Culture.
5. The Pterosaur
We visited Liverpool on my husband's birthday as a treat because for ages he'd wanted to see the cast of the Pterosaur (Quetzalcoatlus northropi) hanging in the foyer of the World Museum and photograph it for his website. We arrived in Liverpool at Lime Street station and crossed the gardens near St George's Hall to the World Museum where we had a good look around before moving on to the the Walker Art Gallery which is close by. Here is a link to Paul's Pterosaur Database Blog and Website.
Below are some more photos of things spotted on our visit to Liverpool.
Below are some more photos of things spotted on our visit to Liverpool.
Click on the link below to find other bloggers who are joining in with
I hope, wherever you are, you have a lovely weekend.
A fascinating five Rosie! I remember those lambbananas when we stayed overnight in Liverpool before we went to the Isle of Man, so crazy! There's so much to see and do in the area, isn't there, I'm sure you had a great time. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe saw so little really in a day but tried to see as much as possible:)
DeleteI've never been to Liverpool and I am sure I would find it fascinating! I wonder why the liver in liver birds is pronounced differently to the liver in Liverpool? I have never been a fan of the Beatles but my Dad used to play 'Beatles' records every Sunday lunch time as we sat down to our roast - Michelle my Belle used to boom out around the room! I did like John Lennon as a solo artist though. Not sure about the lambanas - the clown face at the bottom looks particularly scary! I hope you have a great weekend Rosie. x
ReplyDelete'sont les mots qui vont tres bien ensemble' - didn't like that one either! I love 'Eleanor Rigby,' 'The long and winding Road' and 'Here comes the sun':) My Dad hated the Beatles and blamed them for all the wrong in society at that time!! I preferred The Stones, Kinks and Small Faces. A bit before your time I think, Simone. The Lambananas weren't at all scary and the children loved them:)
DeleteIt's a fascinating city. I lived there for four years as a mature student 20 years ago. It's always had a strong art culture and it's good to see that it's still keeping up new developments.
ReplyDeleteThere seemed to be a lot of changes and improvements on the waterfront area, less so in the centre near St George's Hall although there were new entrances to both Museums and many more facilities than there were when we last visited:)
DeleteWhat a wonderful day out you had! I love the picture of the ferry. It is such a burst of colour against a mostly dull background - very stunning. We were thinking of taking a weekend trip to Liverpool while I was over visiting Mum but ended up booking Scotland instead. Maybe one day I'll end up there!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Oh, I do hope so as there is such a lot to see. The Ferry is great isn't it?:)
DeleteLiverpool is a city we've always wanted to visit so I really enjoyed your photos. Like the Beatle statues, we were and are big Beatle fans. Got to see Paul perform with Wings in the late 80's and it was a thrill.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was great to see him. I remember his guitarist from Wings sang with the Moody Blues at one time. Liverpool is an interesting and vibrant city:)
DeleteThank you for taking me down memory lane. I used to visit Liverpool as a child when all the buildings were soot stained. The big treat was a trip on the Mersey ferry. Wish it had been painted like that in my day. Hope your husband enjoyed his birthday :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes thank you he had a great time, the pterosaur cast plus other specimens in the museum and just being there for the day was grat fun. I expect the ferry will go back to normal colours after the WW1 centenary celebrations are over:)
DeleteI so enjoyed reading about this city that is home of the Beatles. I'm so happy you had a great time. Wishing you the best, Pat xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat. Glad you enjoyed the visit:)
DeleteWonderful five! Loved your visit to Liverpool ... the fab four and the Lambananas (thanks for the link). Armchair traveling at its best for me!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. There is a lot to see there:)
DeleteI haven't been to Liverpool in many many years, last time was for work and I didn't get a chance to look around. It does look like a great city to visit for fun. I have never heard of Lambananas but I sure like the look of the one you show us today, love the colours and the shape. The ferry is fab, too. Thanks for short city break.
ReplyDeleteThe ferry is great isn't it? The Lambananas are mostly around the Museum of Liverpool but we did spot one in Ness gardens too:)
DeleteIt was indeed a great city break. I really enjoyed your tour, brought back some great memories of the Beatles I was a fan. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI was in my second year at senior school in 63/64 when the Beatles burst onto the scene, it was unlike anything we'd seen or heard of before and so much changed from then on:)
DeleteI really like Liverpool and you have reminded me that I must visit again soon. Thank you for sharing your trip away. I think the sculpture of the Beatles is great.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great sculpture isn't it. The sculptor who is local to where I live has just had another sculpture placed nearby of a buzzard - it is huge:)
DeleteReally enjoyed visiting Liverpool with you today and I'll even forgive you for not liking the Beatles because you included the amazing ferry boat in your 5!
ReplyDeletebon weekend
Maggie
The ferry is super isn't it? Didn't totally dislike the Beatles but was never a great fan either. They were just there in the background some of their songs I liked others I didn't. I remember my parents hated them and blamed them for the social changes of the mid sixties whilst I was at school:)
DeleteWhat fabulous things from Liverpool!! I especially love the Mandy Mandala Lambanana! That really is great isn't it!! The ferry is brilliant too isn't it. Thank you for joining in Five On Friday, I hope you have a great weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteI thought you would like Mandy Mandal Lambanana - I love saying that! Glad you enjoyed my five Amy:)
DeleteLovely photos of Liverpool.We have been there twice recently but to the hospital for tests for me!!!We had a lovely walk round Ness Gardens this afternoon.We are Friends of Ness so can go anytime.Before he retired my OH worked for Wirral Education Authority so knows that area well.
ReplyDeleteWe thought the Wirral was lovely and enjoyed our stay. We drove almost all around from Neston and Heswall round by New Brighton and down through Tranmere, Port Sunlight and Eastham during our stay. Hope you are ok, Barbara:)
DeleteWonderful post and stunning images.. I really must have a visit to Liverpool..
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Thanks, Amanda. There is so much to see and do in the city and by the docks:)
DeleteNice mini-tour. Liverpool's a great city to wander round - very lively. I haven't seen that statue of the Beatles before - have to look out for it next time we go.
ReplyDeleteThere seem to be quite a few statues around the Mersey Ferry area and the waterfront. The new museum there is fascinating:)
DeleteA great five and the Dazzle Ferry is great - I would love to see it for real.
ReplyDeleteWe watched the ferry come into dock and then the day after saw it again from the other side of the river at New Brighton:)
DeleteThanks for sharing the views of Liverpool - I've never been there and so love to see something of the city.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting city with lots of interest on offer:)
DeleteHello,Rosie,
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Liverpool. All your photos are new to me and interesting to see!
It looks like the city is a fascinating place. I understand it was not easy to get the photo of the sculpture, but I like to see the photo. It was taken well!! The rainy season on is lingering here in japan. Enjoy your new week!
Thanks, Tomoko we had to wait ages to get the photos as there was always someone posing with the figures but we managed it in the end:)
DeleteI am ashamed to say that I have never been to Liverpool. I keep saying I will but never do. This was a great 5 for me. Love those Liverbirds
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it the Liver birds are wonderful aren't they?:)
DeleteA really interesting post with great photos. I've only ever been to Liverpool to see football matches (in the days when I used to go to away games) although my daughter and husband went on a Beatle coach trip tour a few years ago (a 60th Birthday present!).
ReplyDeleteThe ferry is just amazing and I like the sculpture of the Beatles a lot. I'm very interested in fossils so loved the Pterosaur and your husband's blog post.
Thanks so much for sharing - your post has certainly made me want to explore Liverpool myself :)
Glad you enjoyed the post and I thought you would like the fossils too. Tthe World Museum is full of wonderful things. I was so pleased to see the dazzle ferry and also the sculptures both of which were on my list of must sees after the pterosaur:)
DeleteAll that you presented in this post interested me, Rosie! I was never a keen fan of the Beatles either although they certainly were a part of my teen culture in the USA. It would be startling to see the Liver Birds in person, I think, and I would especially like to see the dazzle ferry and the Lambananas :) xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gracie. I'm gad you enjoyed thepost and the photos. The Liver Birds are so iconic for the city as you approach it across the Mersey:)
DeleteI really must visit Liverpool one of these days, it looks such an interesting place. I visited New Brighton as a child too and did all my Midland Bank training courses at Birkdale in the 1960s, saw Gerry and the Pacemakers, Freddie and the Dreamers and the Rolling Stones in Southport but never quite made it to Liverpool.
ReplyDeleteStill love G&P 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey' they came to a Spalding Flower Queen event to entertain one year (late 80s) and my colleague and I were in the hall checking tables whilst they were rehearsing. When they struck up with the opening bars of that song the hairs stood on the back of my neck:)
DeleteLoved your tour of Liverpool! The Mersey Ferry was fascinating! And oh, a statue of the Beatles...I have strains of "Ferry Cross the Mersey" floating through my brain right now, though that wasn't their song, it's from that era :-) I was a HUGE fan when I was young...yes, the world changed so much during that time! Loved seeing the Pterosaur and the other sites. Happy Birthday to your hubby! It looks like you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marie, glad you enjoyed visiting Liverpool. There are so many songs from that mid sixties era that are so of their time and yet still remembered too. Ferry 'Cross the Mersey'is a special one:)
DeleteReplyDelete
Funkiest ferry ever!
ReplyDeleteAnd great photos altogether.
Amalia
xo
Thanks, Amalia. the ferry is great isn't it?:)
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