POSTING DELAY

 

 

ROCK? – That’s not a rock…………………………

As expected we are having problems posting here in Wales. First, there is no Wi-Fi connection here and we have to rely on pubs and cafes to check our mail, post blogs etc. It’s a bit unfair when on holiday expecting us to sit in pubs and cafes. Still, in the spirit of information and friendship we will force ourselves.

Unfortunately a further problem has befallen us. Our laptop has died; probably a result of too much travel and a few too many bumps and bashes. We have tried to get it repaired but have had several possible causes advised to us and it seems we need to get it repaired back in Australia! It is still under warranty but will be out of warranty when we return! Still, we’ve logged the complaint with Toshiba so, we’ll see!

The good news is we’re not broke (yet) and have bought a new one to see us through! Fortunately I have been backing up all our photos on a nightly basis and ALL of our important documents and photos are safe on two back-up hard drives! Lucky Hey!

Will post this from a café or pub later today and hopefully will get the blog up to date and posted from Ireland next week!

 

NOW THAT’S A ROCK!

LIVERPOOL 17th – 21st NOVEMBER

This just gets better. Today we went to Blackpool for the day, only an hour drive so an easy run by Aussie standards.

It was cold, wet and blustery but we still had one heck of a good time. Blackpool was another of my childhood playgrounds, the place where my parents took us for a day out. For those ‘pommies’ out there, Blackpool needs no introduction. It’s the iconic, quintessentially British sea-side resort of the brits back in the day!

Most of the place was shut down for the winter an unfortunately the funfair, Pleasure Beach was closed and only open at weekends. This was a shame because they have one of the best roller coasters in the world. I so wanted to ride it again for ‘old time’s sake’ but alas that was not to be.

We called in at the Tower and visited the ballroom. At least this was open and Julie got to hear the world famous Wurlitzer organ being played.

Again, for those non Brits who don’t know the Blackpool Wurlitzer organ is one of (if not the) oldest restored organs of it’s kind.

Took a nostalgic walk on the pier and just watched the world from a different time pass by.

Julie even got stuck into the penny slots for fun.

The town has just undergone a 300 million pound renovation and is still being worked on. 

Hopefully they will keep most of the old but it’s good to see the prom being upgraded. There are heaps of childhood memories in the region for millions of us Brits.

We were heading back towards the town center and bumped into a couple of old friends so stayed for a short chat before winding up the day.

Being winter the daylight is gone by 4pm so after a short tram ride we hopped in the car and returned to Liverpool for a night-out in the ......................................

THE CAVERN CLUB, LIVERPOOL

................................. Cavern Club; the birthplace of the Beatles and British pop music.

We visited this club expecting it to be a dive and just a ‘bit of a pub' cashing in on the Beatles. We expected to pay a fortune to enter and have a quick drink of over-priced beer. How wrong could we be?

Entry was free and drink prices cheap (as they all are in the UK). There was live entertainment of a good standard and the night was well worth the time.

What surprised both of us was the number of young people who were there for the history and ambience. They not only enjoyed the music but most seemed to know the words to all the old 60’s music. Naturally most of the music was of the era, mainly Beatles songs but a sprinkling of other groups of similar ilk.

Julie was really into the night-life, singing and bopping away like a teen-ager whilst I myself remained naturally sedate and seated in the corner. Three and a half hours of live music and 6 drinks for less than $30 Aussie; Now that’s what I call a night out.

Met a great couple in there; both Scousers. We had a great time with them. Hopefully they’ll read this and keep in touch ‘for old times sake’!

We both dragged ourselves away at around 11-30 pm but only because we were moving on in the morning so had to be reasonably fresh the following day.

All in all we had a fantastic day; one which can (by us old farts) be classed as ‘very memorable’! 

LIVERPOOL 17th – 21st NOVEMBER - Part 1

Had a great drive up from Eastbourne; was able to enjoy some of the scenery and be reminded of some of the things I do miss having migrated to Australia 19 years ago. The trouble is though I’d miss more in Australia than I do here.

 The drive took us near Warwick so we deviated slightly and called into Warwick for lunch. I lived there for almost 2 years back in the early 80’s so it was a chance to have lunch in one of my old drinking spots.

A few of our friends, when they heard we were coming to Liverpool were asking ‘why’? My answer to them is “Have you been there recently”?

The area we are staying in is not one to be recommended; it may have been a touch of paranoia but Julie and I are sure we were being ‘lined-up’ for a mugging when out walking on the first evening. I certainly wouldn’t recommend walking alone at night! Having said that, once out of this area we love it.

The area around the port has undergone, and still is undergoing major rejuvenation. We ticked another of our ‘bucket list’ items and took a trip on the well known Ferry Across The Mersey with a visit to Birkenhead and The Wirral.

The old warehouses and port buildings have undergone significant renovation and the area is now vibrant and exciting. The architecture is interesting and well worth a look.

There is a good range of Christmas lights here so the streets of the center look lovely at night. I guess now it's nearing Christmas the places we visit will be well endowed with Christmas cheer and lights.

There is not a heap of things to do but one of the reasons for coming here was as a base for more of the area. I wanted Julie to see some of my background which for many years was based in Birmingham. By Australian standards Birmingham is ‘just down the road’ at less than 100 miles away (170 klms), so today we took a trip there.

It was great seeing the places I grew up in

and my old play ground of Sutton Park.

We also visited my old work place; my pre-nursing work, that is.

Ah! Memories!

Birmingham city has a good range of street lights for Christmas and it was a great day out.

Its' forecast for heavy rain tomorrow so another road trip  looks to be on the cards. We're planning to visit the Cavern where the Beatles started out and then maybe take an hours drive up to Blackpool for the day.

Watch this space!

BUCKET LIST – CHECK

Back when I was a boy in 1964, a mere 12 year old - blah, blah, blah, (and before most of you young guns were hatched) a Liverpudlian  pop group known as Gerry and the Pacemakers recorded Ferry Across The Mersey.

This became an iconic record for many of our generation. Today, Julie and I crossed the Mersey on this legendary boat.

For us that was a Bucket List item.

EASTBOURNE 12th – 17th Nov

Transferred to England from Paris on the EuroStar channel tunnel train today. Arrived in Ashford, Kent at 11-06 and picked up our hire car. It looks like our travelling out of season has been an advantage since we got upgraded from our booked car of a Vauxhall Astra to a Saab at no extra cost!

Nice looking car; diesel, automatic, cruise control and leather seats. It even has seat warmers for these cold mornings! I could get used to this.

First stop was to our daughter Jacqueline’s house and then off to pick up our grand-daughter Xanthi from school. Talk about excited! The girl nearly broke my neck by jumping on me. She loves Julie to bits!

Our hotel’s great. Nothing spectacular but right on the sea front and it has terrific views of the sea (well, the English Channel).

What the hotel lacked in facilities was more than made up by the hospitality of the landlord. When we asked if Jacqueline could join us for breakfast one morning he refused to accept any extra payment. Then, on Thursday night he put up an extra bed in the room for Xanthi to stay the night (We were leaving at 05-30 for a day trip to Calais, France) again refusing any extra payment! I will certainly stay there again next time we visit Eastbourne.

Most of the time was spent just touring around and fattening up on pub lunches and dinners. That is one thing I do miss from England; the pub lunches.

Went for a trip to Beachy Head and of course lunch in the pub. Thankfully Julie doesn’t drink so she is the designated driver.

Days are spent with Jacqueline and the evenings with Xanthi. Fortunately Julie gets on well with my ex-wife Deborah so we end up with the almost surreal situation of myself, Julie, my ex wife, my daughter and grand-daughter in the one outing. Such is life.

Wednesday Julie and I went to London for the day to see Les Miserable, the musical. Neil (on W5.1) will know what I mean when I say ‘Thanks for the tip’. We had what have to be the best seats in the house – E14 and E15, centre stage. Fantastic seats.

London is just cranking up for Christmas so the lights are just starting and Julie just loved the trip. We got back to Eastbourne late at night after one really great day out.

Friday was our last day in Eastbourne so we took all of us to France for the day. The ferry crossing was great but I’m afraid I can’t recommend Calais for a trip out, especially out of season. Generally it was a disappointment but over-all it was a nice day out! Still, it means Julie has now been to France 8 times! Not bad for someone who had not been out of Australia until 2 years ago.

It was a little sad saying bye to Jacqueline and Xanthi as we dropped them off home that night but for us the sadness was tempered by the knowledge that we will see them again before Christmas. And of course our great adventure continues with our next trip to Liverpool on Saturday.