Jo’s Monday walk : Wild on the Waterfront

As the coach raced west into the oncoming storm, buffeted by black clouds, I had to wonder what windy Liverpool had in store.  But I needn’t have worried.  On the edge of the city the sun suddenly appeared, and I received a right royal welcome.  Liverpool One bus station is perfectly placed if, like me, you’re on a whistle stop visit.  Simply cross over the Strand and you’re face to face with the grandeur of the Waterfront.  The wind might have tugged at my coat tails, but I had a permanent smile on my face.  And everyone smiled back!

There is no doubt that Liverpool is a maritime city.  The River Mersey rolls choppily away into the Irish Sea, part of a long history of seafaring.  The Industrial Revolution established Liverpool as a major port, trading in coal and cotton, and also in slaves.  In the 19th century it was a chief point of embarkation for North America, flooded with the mass of Irish immigrants resulting from the Potato Famine.  The trio of the Royal Liver Building, Cunard and the Port of Liverpool buildings, collectively known as the ‘Three Graces’, dominate the Waterfront, an enduring symbol of the city.  Since its decline, the dockland has been handsomely converted to tourism.  Albert Dock is now home to Tate Gallery, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum and The Beatles Story, with shops and restaurants galore.

The fierce looking cat, chasing those rats, is made from around 1000 recycled milk containers, collected by employees of the Cunard Building and sculpted by local artist Faith Bebbington.  The Leeds-Liverpool canal terminates at the small marina in Canning Dock.

Like most people, I seem to see pink everywhere I go these days.  I hope you’re In the Pink this morning, Becky?  Waffles for breakfast?

Does anyone remember Billy Fury?  He played my home town once and I was an excited member of the audience.  Now his statue stands by a small green in front of the Pump House, his back to the river and the elements.  Keeping him company, a hopeful family of emigrants.

The Museum of Liverpool thrusts its nose towards the river, the words Imagine and Peace pleading to be heard.  I know I will have to return later, but for now I have a different destination.   The main purpose of my visit is to see the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the World Museum.  The wind continues to whip round corners as I try to orient myself.  High on the skyline I have spotted the Radio City Tower.  Officially St. John’s Beacon, created as a ventilation shaft for the shopping complex below, in 1970 it was home to a revolving restaurant.  Radio broadcasting transferred to the 140 metre high tower in July 2000.  What an exciting place to work!  I should just have time to whizz up the tower in the high speed lift for that panoramic view.  With rain forecast the following day, it’s now or never.

From the tower I observe the Waterfront in miniature, and the two cathedrals- part of tomorrow’s itinerary.  Almost directly beneath me, the World Museum.  I have only to cross the small green park and I’m there.  But first I have to check into my accommodation, chosen for its proximity to the exhibition.  From the photo on the website I imagine I’m sleeping in a cupboard in Sleep Eat Love, but my ridiculously cheap single room, with ensuite, is amazing value for a city centre stopover.  I sleep well after my exertions.

I don’t intend to share all of my Terracotta Warrior images with you today.  I really feel they deserve a post of their own.  This is just a glimpse of what captivated me, and if you’re quick you may still have time to see them for yourself.  China’s First Emperor and his warriors are on display till 28th October.

I’d like to leave you with an exhibition that moved me deeply.  Liverpool will always have a place in my heart as the birthplace of the Beatles.  No-one was more horrified than me that day in October 1980 when John Lennon was shot dead.  In the time since then his widow has done an amazing job at promoting world peace and keeping his memory alive.  Yoko and the Museum of Liverpool present Double Fantasy.

As you can probably imagine, life is a little hectic right now, but I do hope to share my Warriors with you, and a glimpse of my second day in Liverpool, before I head for the Algarve next weekend.  I hope that you’ve enjoyed this one half as much as I did.  And now to share some walks.

walking logo

Debbie starts us off with some brilliant street art, and videos to show how it’s done :

Off to a Wonderful Wedding in Berlin

Banactee finds a little more, in hidden corners of Hamburg :

The Color Palette in the streets of Hamburg

Humble apologies to Shelley.  I neglected to include this beautiful post last week.  Please pay her a visit!

To be a traveler, or not to be

Ever been to Lake Ontario?  Jackie is always good company! :

Toasting Marshmallows and Movie Popcorn

This is how beautiful the Philippines can be.  Lady Lee shares precious time spent with family :

Hidden Valley Springs

Haven’t you always wanted to visit Savannah?  I have!  Let Alice show you around :

Factors Walk

Live in the north west of England?  Sharon has some great walks for dog owners :

Ten fido-friendly Country pubs you can walk to from Clitheroe

Yay!  Mel has finished the Via Francigena.  Time off for good behaviour :

Day 40 – FINAL DAY – Via Francigena- La Storta to Roma

Lovely Cathy keeps trecking, but posts about the native American’s survival methods, in an extremely difficult climate :

The Sandal Trail through Navajo National Monument

That’s it for Jo’s Monday walk for a little while, though I will keep in touch.  Please look after yourselves till then.  I’m off out into the sunshine for a last walk with my Hartlepool group.

132 comments

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  5. I would never have thought Liverpool would be an interesting place to visit with the mixture of old and new. As I was looking at your pictures, I could hear the seagulls crying. And I am sure Becky will love that pink waffle truck 🙂

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  8. Looks wonderful! Wish I’d gone there with you now. We might have needed a bigger room though. My grandparents left Liverpool for India – twice – in the early 20th century which is when my mother was born over there. I can’t imagine that voyage!

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    1. Should’ve! Though you might have struggled to keep up. 🙂 🙂 I couldn’t get over how friendly it was as a city. There are more tales to tell, if I find time. Glass of wine with the gang at dinnertime. Back to the serious stuff of life now.

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      6. Sorry, long since eaten. Fairly swift and not very exciting chicken risotto. 😦 Still sorting photos. Getting more ruthless! Lisa said she didn’t want hers (she hated her curly top looks as a child/chubby teen) but she’ll forward post or store stuff for us. 🙂 Mick’s spent hours with the box files and documents back to the year dot.

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  9. What wonderfully bright and breezy pix from Liverpool, Jo. All that sea air wafting in. And I recognised Billy Fury from the statue – unmistakable stance. And now have appetite for more warriors well and truly whetted. Hope you’re not fagged out after cupboard sorting. Tx

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    1. Feeling slightly merry after a farewell glass of wine with my walker friends, up at Sunderland this morning, Tish. 🙂 🙂 Serious face on soon, and more work to do. 😦 Glad you enjoyed! Do you know Liverpool at all?

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      1. No don’t know L’pool, apart from a uni interview years ago and very sniffy academic you likened doing English Lit ‘A level to cooking (felt offended in both camps). They did offer me a place though, which I sniffily refused and went to Sheffield instead.

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  11. I love this post. Thank You presenting Liverpool. To me it was interesting to read that someday You will present Terracotta Warrior images. I wait them. We had some years an exhibition of them in Tampere, Finland and took many photos them.

    Happy new week.

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  14. What an absolutely fabulous walk Jo with so much to see and so much nostalgia. From that weird rat to the amazing terracotta warriors, I look forward to seeing more. Peace my lovely friend and enjoy! xx 🙂

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  15. Liverpool looks an amazing city to visit. You always find lots of quirky things on your walks. Loving the fierce cat and rats! Your accomodation sounds good too for a night away in the city. X

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  17. Looks amazing. I haven’t visited Liverpool since a school trip about 40 years ago. Big Man and I were talking about a few days there next year but maybe we should go sooner as I know we’d both enjoy the Terracotta Warriors exhibition. Hope everything is going to plan for you, and that you manage to find a few moments each day of peace amid the panic!

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    1. Thanks, darlin! At least we’ve got a sunny one for our last UK walk. Sunderland marina and the Glass Centre for lunch with the gang. And Mick says if I’m good we’ll come back over Sunderland’s new bridge. No chance of that, then! 🙂 🙂

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  20. Oh I love this blustery Liverpudlian stroll Jo. What a fabulous arrival, and you packed so much in!

    What fun 😁 and I’m honoured you squeezed in some pink xx

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