Our Big Adventure

LIVERPOOL and THE BEATLES

We couldn't leave Liverpool without seeing the places we have heard so much about. and book ourselves a couple of nights accommodation in the city. Liverpool has won the award for European Capital of Culture 2008 that it shares with Stavanger, Norway and hopefully Stavanger has a little more culture than Liverpool, Else and Adam you will have to let us know about that one. They are trying to transform this once heavily industrial city, many derelict buildings have been torn down or renovated into commercial property or inner city lofts. The once deserted dock area now has been totally transformed into the cultural centre with the Tate Gallery, theatres for performing arts and three museums. But what we came here to learn more about was the Beatles, the 4 boys from Liverpool who went on to define a decade We book ourselves onto The Magical Mystery Tour, and with Beatles music playing our guide takes us to see the childhood homes of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Twelve Arnold Grove, a 2 up 2 down where George and his 4 siblings lived with his parents, now owned by an elderly couple, one of which was having their 70th birthday party as we stood outside taking photos. Then past the Odeon Theatre, where A Hard Day’s Night was first shown, and The Empire Theatre where the Beatles played their last Liverpool concert. On to Woolton Village, an upper class area, and 251 Menlove Ave where John moved to with his Aunt Mimi after his parents deaths. Now owned by The National Trust and opened to the public on organized tours. Past the gates of Strawberry Fields Children's Home, now all that remains of the place John used to go and play and where inspiration possibly came from to write that famous song of the same name. Quarry Road is also in the same area, and maybe where the name of his first band, The Quarrymen came from. Next on to 20 Forthlin Road, the neat double storey home that Paul McCartney grew up in with his father and brothers after his Mum passed away from breast cancer when he was only a teenager. Many famous songs must have been composed and rehearsed here. Not far away is Penny Lane, not only the name of the famous song, but also the street where both George Harrison and Paul McCartney went to primary school. The bank and barber shop still there where Paul must have passed by daily on his way to and from school and probably inspiration for the song. Our last stop is the childhood home of Ringo Starr, possibly coming from the poorest of the families, it is now in a very run down, bordered up and deserted area that has been designated for future re-development. We end our tour at The Cavern Club, a place The Beatles played at least 400 times, starting out doing lunch time gigs before they became famous. We have a drink at The Grapes, a bar reportedly where the famous four had a pint after performing at The Cavern, which was still un-licensed at that time. All in all Liverpool is an interesting city, but we are not too sad to be leaving.

posted by Brian and Julie @ 2:22:00 AM