Six Weeks Away

Except for college, I have never been away from home for more than three weeks in my entire life. I've been pondering what I have learned by being away for six weeks.

The first thing is that I have a lot more time for pondering. Sitting alone in restaurants, sitting on benches looking up, wandering around the docks. I just wish I was able to retain more of my brilliant observations until I get back to my computer. Short term memory loss....bugger!

The only number I have had to remember for the last six weeks is which floor I am on when I get into the hotel lift - easy peasy. Pretty sure I still know my phone number...not so sure about the security door locks in my condo though...

I have been watching my budget carefully, which means at least two meals a day have been essentially snacks: bananas, yogurt, cheese, oranges, croissants, cup-a-soup, cheese, pot noodles, biscuits, crisps, and cheese. Most of my lunch meals out have been either soup, or toasties (really, really good grilled cheese sandwiches), or scouse (Liverpudlian lamb stew). While these have all been delicious, I am very hungry for:
    Chinese take-out
    Grocery-store roast chicken
    Pizza
    Amy & Arne's Pulled pork
    My lentil salad
    Breakfast at St Andrew's

Never in my entire life have I gone six weeks without driving. Childbirth, knee replacements - I always bounced back ahead of schedule. I don't expect any consequences, but I think it is interesting nevertheless.

I've certainly not been off the grid while away, in fact I've been on the grid more than normal, with the exception of emails. Like most people, I get upwards of 125 emails a day. Early on I decided not to waste time on the ads from various on-line stores I regularly buy from. Results from ongoing Google and Ebay searches (average 10/day) - delete. All news and sport emails from sources other than the 2 I trust most - delete. Updates from Pinterest, Flickr, Twitter - delete. That pretty much leaves my daily comics, my daily trivia questions, The Anfield Wrap, and actual personal emails which is roughly 10 or less a day. It will be interesting to see how long before I am back to actually reading all the emails I have done quite nicely without for the last six weeks.

There are almost certainly a few more consequences of being away for six weeks. I've probably already pondered them. I've probably already forgotten them.

St George's Hall and the Christmas Market

Liverpool has a cluster of magnificent buildings at the docks in the Three Graces. But the biggest and most amazing group of classic architecture lies on either side of William Brown St. You've seen the inside of the Central Library on a previous post. In addition, the Walker Gallery, St George's Hall, the World Museum, and the Steble Fountain make for an amazing range of stone and metal work.

Yesterday I traveled up to the Lime Street Station to get my ticket for London and then went across to the Christmas Market staged in front of St George's Hall.

I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of St George's Hall before the market was set up.

I would have liked to see the full expanse of cobbles in front of the hall without all the little Santa cottages

I wandered up one side and down the other hoping for something to catch my fancy - there's a little room left in my suitcase. At least 70% of the booths were food and most of the rest were selling things I could get back home at any of the import stores. Finally, at the very end, something for me.

After extensive sampling I brought home a piece of Sticky Toffee Cheddar, a lovely cheddar with bits of date and toffee.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

I left the market and wandered around the other buildings, statues, and monuments. I understand this sort of thing is boring to many but I just love them.

Art on the Docks

One more photo post from the docks. This time some of the public art.

From the traditional....

...to the not-so-traditional. Four of the 125 created in 2008 as part of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture.

Even directional markers are works of art.

Nope, not Elvis. This is Billy Fury, a massive rock 'n roll star from the early 1960's.

The Emigrants

This is called 'Raleigh'. It relates to Sir Walter Raleigh...but I am not sure quite how.

Albert Dock has it's own Love Locks site along the Mersey banks - an art installation of sorts.

There are quite a few more artworks I don't have photos of, but I couldn't possibly miss the best known and most photographed...

Cousin Judy and friends

A million more bricks

The drivers on the tour buses will tell you how many million bricks were brought in to build the warehouses on the docks. I've forgotten the number, but the brick warehouses stretch for miles. Some have been beautifully renovated, others are still beautifully run-down - I can't really say which I prefer.

Albert Dock is where the tourists head to first. It boasts half a dozen museums including the Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum - both free, as so many museums in England are. There are shops, restaurants, boats, and all sorts of history.

View of Albert Dock from 4th floor restaurant

Cannon and reflection

 

 

Everything is immaculate and freshly painted either black or that great brick red color.

Just one of many interesting little buildings in and about the large warehouses. 

The Piermaster's House

Between Albert Dock and The Strand is Salthouse Dock, home to more boats and more tourists and more brick.

Canalboats, B&B Boats, Restaurant Boats, and Beatles Boats

North of Albert Dock is Canning Dock and between Canning Dock and the Mersey is the Museum of Liverpool

Not everyone is a fan of the mixture of new and old buildings on the docks. After much consideration, I have decided I am a fan, not least of all because of the striking reflections from the black glass-clad buildings.

Coals to Newcastle...Librarians to the Library

I've been banging on about all the wonderful brick buildings and architectural ornament in Liverpool but I've really only experienced the outside. I saw the inside of the Central Library the first week I was here and couldn't wait to show it to Cousin Judy, a former librarian. For this post, I'll let the photos speak - will save me several thousand words.

Looking up

Looking down from the 6th floor

The Picton Reading Room, Grade II listed

Entrance to the Hornby Library

Hornby Library Looking Up

The highlight of the Hornby Library was an Original Audubon 'Birds of America'

Even the radiator covers were brilliant

Me, Liz, and Someone Named Ian

Right on track with this week of meeting friends and family in Liverpool, another LFC Seattle supporter came up to Liverpool to tour Anfield, visit the shop and meet up for the Seville game.
We took advice from several people and decided to watch the game at the Shankly Hotel. Seemed like a good idea, it would give us a chance to look at some of the memorabilia.

I got there early, wanting to be sure to snag a table. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you want to watch a game at the Shankly, book a table for dinner well ahead of time. Yes, they do have lots of big screens and tables by the bar (3 small elevated tables and 6 stools), otherwise you need to be booked in for dinner. I was lucky to find one of the tables empty and in minutes another table using four of the stools emptied and I was perched up on one of them waiting for Liz.

Shorty before she arrived, a very pleasant looking man who I recognized came into the room and began working it. He was obviously expected by several different groups and wound up at a big table signing photos and posters. As he entered, I heard someone call him Ian.

We all know what Ian Rush looks like now, that one is easy. Ian Ayre has left us. That leaves Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Ian Ross, and maybe a few more very ancient LFC Ians. Not having been a Liverpool supporter for donkey's years, I jumped to the wrong conclusion. I texted Liz "Ian St John is here!"

Long story short, it was a very disappointing evening. The game was a heartbreaker - enough said.

As 'Ian' walked around the room saying goodbye's and shaking hands, Liz and I followed his every move, neither of us quite brave enough to approach him. He put on his coat, glanced in our direction, then walked over and put out out his hand. We were thrilled! He asked where we were from, chatted a little, said his goodbye. and left.

Well, that was much too exciting to keep quiet about so we each texted several people..."I just shook hands with Ian St John...twice!", "I met Ian St John tonight!", and so on. How utterly embarrassing to find shortly thereafter that it was Ian Callaghan.

I have put it all behind me. I take full credit for the confusion - Liz was an innocent bystander.

I can say now, with some pride that I have shaken the hand of a man who played 857 times (the record) for Liverpool between 1960 and 1978. A man who played briefly for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and once played in Seattle (he told us that personally). A genuine Legend.

Ian Callaghan MBE...an acquaintance of mine.