For once, we were waking to a modest breakfast. I had made eggs on toast, and we had juice, coffee, tea, and milk. We ate, cleaned up, and headed out into the town of Liverpool. We didn’t have any real destinations in mind, beyond the Maritime Museum and Beatles-related sites. We just wanted to, basically, see Liverpool as much as we could on foot.
St. Luke’s Church, just down the block
We were very near “the bombed-out church,” St. Luke’s. I’m glad to say that it’s been cleaned up and nicely landscaped; Jean told us they have teas there and the space sees quite a bit of use. What a strange but satisfying way to turn destruction into beauty.
The Jacaranda Club
The town was a bit quieter that Sunday morning. We passed the Jacaranda Club on our way to the waterfront, but it wasn’t yet open. After some wandering, we found our way to the Merseyside Maritime Museum. That was another excellent collection of artifacts, artwork and history, with a strong focus on Liverpool’s role as a port and its fate in World War II.
Design model of the Titanic, also used in “A Night to Remember”
“The Beatles Story,” an interactive exhibit. It looked promising … but, once again, just after we began the tour, a fire alarm sounded and we were evacuated. Shades of the “British Music Experience” on Thursday — but, this time, we didn’t plan to walk away.
I’m glad we didn’t. It’s a nicely presented exhibit with some information new to me and lots of context missing from your usual account. A topper was when Mark, who was listening to the audio commentary, tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Jean’s on 11.” And so she was, though the ever-modest Jean hadn’t mentioned it. She is on at least one other track as well.
Museum sights
Two views of the “Imagine” room replica
The Hard Day’s Night Hotel
The Cavern Pub and the Cavern Club
(Apparently, if it’s “Cavern,” it sells)
The actual location of the original Cavern Club entrance
The Grapes, from which John Lennon was barred for non-payment of his tab, and the White Star, to which he switched his business, per Jean.
The White Star held particular interest for us on another account, as White Star was the company behind the Titanic. That was a must-see.
Wall in back room of the White Star
We enjoyed a pint of Guinness in the back room there, accompanied by a couple of elderly regulars and a young man performing acoustic tunes. It was a nice place to be.
The Old Post Office
The lack of a giant English breakfast catching up with us, we decided to dine at the Old Post Office. It was another old and casual venue with good food at reasonable prices, and (as always, in Liverpool) lots of ales from which to select.
On our return trip, we popped into the now-open Jacaranda. It was an interesting scene — more of a youthful bohemian atmosphere than a place of nostalgia. We’d had enough ale for the day but we took a look around a bit.
View from the Jac stairwell
We then headed back to the Roscoe to pack for the next destination — Stratford-Upon-Avon — and to get some rest.