Liverpool, England

Today was the last excursion of this long, long trip. Both Michael and I had escort duty today.

Located on the Mersey River in northwest England, this city of about one half million people is steeped in maritime history and is a center of education, culture and architecture. I was expecting a derelict city with dilapidated warehouses and slums. What I saw was a modern and prospering city. It was not always so; the city was heavily bombed during the blitz in WWII and hit hard times again in the 1980s They are currently investing billions in regenerating the city and in converting the old Albert Docks, originally opened in 1846, to a modern technical, hi-tech industrial and recreational area that is already the second largest in England. Where ever you go in Liverpool, whether old or new, you see a vibrant community.

Michael

It was a really fun day. I did not get an escort assignment until the very last moment, and then they gave me the one that I had wanted all along – “In the Footsteps of the Beatles.” Yes, this was a half day excursion tracing the lives and careers of the Fab Four.

We began the Beatles tour with a visit to “The Beatles Story,” built underground in a restored part of Albert Docks. It was a bit cheesy, but it did have enough Beatles memorabilia and recreations of significant places and events to make it worthwhile. From here, we visited the birthplaces, former homes, schools and other venues associated with each of the Beatles. Highlights included Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and the old Cavern Club, where it can be said to have all begun.

Beverly:

My tour involved the highlights of Liverpool. Old and new mixed together, pleasant neighborhoods, gardens, cathedrals, and some Beatle history was all thrown in. We visited the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which is nicknamed ”Paddy’s Wigwam” because it looks like a huge tent or a spaceship (and it is totally out of character for the area) and because of all the Irish that attend services. We also saw the Anglican Cathedral, which is the largest in Britain and has the highest, largest, biggest everything. Next we went to Steke Hall, an old black and white house built in the 15th century (there was not one plumb wall or flat floor surface). We also drove down Penny Lane and saw where John Lennon grew up, and the neighborhood he wrote about in many of his songs.

***

It’s time to come home: I am running out of my lotions and potions. We have settled into a routine on the ship and home is where we are at the moment. Mentally, you have to do this when you move around as much as we do. I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, however. I am looking forward to getting home and seeing my family. I am not looking forward to the trip home. It will be grueling; we leave the ship first thing in the morning for a two hour drive to London, then leave Heathrow around 3:30 pm and arrive Seattle 4:45 pm on the same day. The laundry is done and tomorrow is packing day; I hope we can fit everything in.

It has been wonderful seeing all the places and sights, but frankly, everything is starting to run together. I am very glad that we kept this journal. I can barely remember what I did two days ago! When we started out, it was hard to think two months ahead; now, two months ago seems like ancient times. I am bruised, banged up, everything hurts, and I am exhausted. I have eaten too much, laughed a lot, meet some wonderful people, and seen incredible places. This has been the experience of a lifetime. Now it is time to go home and rest up for the next installment. The Walker’s never let any grass grow under their feet.