THE WIRRAL

CAR-TRAIN-BOAT-TRAIN-CAR 7.5 Miles

TRAVELLERS :- James, Mike, Danny, Vic 
                             John W, Anthony, Paddy.


Many years ago your writer used to sing in folk clubs. One song he sang was a Jim Reeves number called "Yonder Comes a Sucker" and it began with the Line …...
"Railroad, Steamboat, River and Canal" 
Well we were certainly no suckers today as it was an excellent walk  but...……

The RAILROAD was the Mersey Rail train from Old Roan  to Liverpool Central where we changed to the Wirral Line to go under the Mersey to New Brighton.

Out of the Station we turned left to head towards the Promenade which would eventually take us back to Wallasey and the Ferry.

Just before we reached the promenade a somewhat "Art Deco" style shelter offered us sheltered seating for what was rapidly decided should be a combined coffee/lunch break. (Scoff Ye not dear reader. It had taken us quite a while to get this far !)

As we drank and ate...…..

Things did not seem entirely normal...….
Vic you're holding something that's a bit ...…..
…………………...You, dear reader, may supply the metaphors and euphemisms.

Again as we sat eating a strange message appeared on the pavement. Was it directed at Danny ?

Of course not !  
Lunch over we crossed over to the sea wall and began to follow it Eastwards towards New Brighton.

A notice along the sea wall announced that a group of elderly residents had vowed to make the promenade a brighter, more cheerful place and they had begun by colouring the benches ( Where they announcing a P.C. allegiance as well ?)

James glances across at sadly uninspiring "Sculpture". So uninspiring it was that  he had failed to notice it until it was pointed out.

The tide was high and Paddy stopped to watch as the waves splashed vigorously against the sea defences.

As we walked,  the Bootle end of Merseyside gradually became clearer through the thinly misted atmosphere. Here a large merchant vessel pushes its' way past the "Bar" and up the Mersey towards the city.

The prom ran arrow straight until we reached the mouth of the River Mersey. Here we found the Perch Rock lighthouse which stood guard perhaps at the bar.

Also standing guard but on the land was the Perch Rock Fort.

Here our path turned at right angles to now follow the South bank of the Mersey. Just inland at this point was a small marina within which was another "Sculpture which appeared to be made of bottles,

The black and yellow box seems to indicate that this particular sculpture might light up at night.

Until this point the promenade had been mostly deserted but from here on there were to be quite a few other people enjoying the views across the Mersey. The Liverpool skyline looked delightfully romantic through the mist.

Having arrived at "Civilisation" we, as usual, began to sniff out a coffee dispensary. Before we found one however other street furniture and decorations caught our attention.

Should we wish to continue our walk as far as Australia or the United States,  this post told us how far we needed to walk. 

Just a little further along and we met this delightfully colourful "Lady" (?)

J.W. seemed particularly enamoured ……..

Purely as a piece of "artwork" of course.

The lack of caffeine was now approaching crises levels and after passing by a café (full of "Old" people) we eventually chose a pub where we were most warmly welcomed by a garrulous "Scouse" bar maid who smilingly warned us not to mention Everton in the "Anfield" bar. The "Red" coffees were excellent. Perhaps Danny and Vic are Everton fans as the declined the invitation  to join us but sat outside.

Off again towards the  Ferry and just around the corner we came across more "Scousers" though these were rather less friendly.

.....and of course we had our own villainous, salty seadog with us.  "Cap'n  Paddy !"

In the distance we could clearly see the tall, box like structure which marked the tunnel point and was near to the ferry quay

As we continued along the Prom we came across another rather incredible "sculpture".  A scene from the "Pirates of the Carribean" movie.

At intervals as we walked along the prom we noticed that as well as the usual life belts strategically placed there were also rope ladders to help people climb the sheer walls from the water.

The skyline of Liverpool was getting nearer but was still romantically misty.

Almost at the ferry now but we paused briefly as we passed Wallasey Town hall. Mike had considerable local knowledge as he had spent many "Happy" hours working in Liverpool.

At the Town Hall there was a memorial plaque to people who had died in the tragic events at Hillsborough.

The writer's hope is that people can find the strength to finally put this awful event to rest.

Nearly There …….

With the knees beginning to complain we at last reached the Ferry terminal.

and after a short wait

The ferry arrived.....All aboard !

After a short but enjoyable trip on the STEAMBOAT across the RIVER (remember the song ?)

….. we were disembarking at the "Old Pier Head" (that's from another song - The Spinners" I think)

Now it was just a short walk to Moorfield Station to catch the train back to Old Roan and the cars. (not actually as short as we expected 👴).

We couldn't of course come to Liverpool without paying our respects to THE FAB FOUR...…

.........and not forgetting Cilla  !

After wandering in puzzlement for a while we finally arrived at Moorfield station. Where helpful stuff worked the "Remote Controlled " toilets for us.  (I kid you not)

Home we go now gentlemen. "But what about the CANAL ? that's in the song too."  I hear you say. Well, had we been observant we would have noticed the canal to our right as we passed the "Beatles" statues. It leads out of Liverpool to become the Leeds/Liverpool  canal (A future walk perhaps!) 

A great walk and sadly more photographs that I could not squeeze in to this rather long report.

THE END