The Meanderthals: "MERRY CROSS THE MERSEY"

LIVERPOOL 4 Miles

Walkers :- Anthony, Martin, Mike, Jim, James
John W, Paddy, Harry, Tony (visitor)

This was the longest short walk we have ever done !

After picking up Jim C. we arrived at Ormskirk station where our guest walker Tony E. (John W's brother-in-law) was waiting for us. We soon parked, bought our tickets and boarded the waiting train for Liverpool Central.

We were soon leaving the train in Liverpool and after the obligatory "Elderly Gentlemen's" visit to the facilities we set off to our first target - St Georges Hall. Here we stood outside to admire the poppies which had originally adorned the Tower of London.

Harry admires the er....sandbags ????

While Martin.............Thinks !

We then climbed the steps and entered the stunning hall itself. Here, surrounded by such incredible grandeur we felt obliged to sit and partake of our first coffee.

It was difficult to drag ourselves away from this fascinating place but our second target beckoned. So uphill and through the university campus till we reached the Catholic Cathedral "Paddy's Wigwam". (the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King)

This atmospheric building kept us in thrall, especially as one of the attendants recognised Tony as the teacher of her children and engaged us in conversation. It was not long, however, before "Bread Alone" lost it's biblical resonance and we searched out the cafe for lunch. "Soup and a Roll" (More like half a loaf !)

Our "Walk" must be continued........so the comforting warmth of the cafe had to be left behind as we headed along Hope St. to our third target.

Past the "Everyman Theatre" and into the "Philharmonic " Pub, (This is supposed to be a WALK !) where halves
all-round were consumed in the Victorian splendour of this
incredible pub.

It was beginning to get increasingly difficult to drag ourselves out of this array of welcoming hostelries. Indeed we left Mike and Martin (M&M ?) to finish their drinks as we set our course for target 4. The Anglican Cathedral. On route we passed the "Luggage sculpture"

To explore the whole of this colossal edifice would take far longer than the time at our disposal but with the help of several of the attendants we were given a small but fascinating insight into a few of its "secrets". Here is an attendant showing us the mechanics of the baptismal Font,

The day was beginning to race towards its end so we left the Cathedral and headed, by way of target 5, China town, down to target 6 - the Albert Dock.

As we walked round The Albert Dock it was decided that Caffeine levels were becoming dangerously low and ANOTHER warm and inviting cafe enticed us in for coffees and Hot Chocolates - SINFUL !

As we sat chatting over our THIRD set of drinks a glance at Harry told us that

the day had definitely run into the buffers and it was time to head home. (Sorry Harry couldn't resist.) but not before the rest of the group had also run into the buffers.

A short(ish) walk now took us back to Liverpool Central where the train soon had us back to Ormskirk and the drive home.

I must point out that this "Walk" was not simply an urban food and drink "Fest" . As the last picture shows we did visit an area of trees.

This was a brilliant outing which gave us much more than I could fit into this short report and we will certainly be returning to Liverpool to revisit some of these targets and explore new ones. Well done Anthony.

FINALLY - A few pictures not used in the report.