The Meanderthals: LIVERPOOL

CATHEDRAL ?

WE'VE GOT ONE TO SPARE

4 Miles

HOLY HIKERS :- Danny, Vic, Anthony, Jim C, Mike, John.

Many years ago your writer played and sang in folk clubs around Lancashire. Although not in fact a folksong, a song written by Pete Mcgovern was so popular it became part of the Folk "tapestry" of the 60's. Driven, perhaps by the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers and others, Liverpool, at that time , was the place to be and to sing about. "In my Liverpool Home" was one of the most popular songs.

In my Liverpool home

We speak with an accent exceedingly rare

Meet under a statue exceedingly bare

If you want a Cathedral

We've got one to spare

In my Liverpool home

At each end of Hope Street stands a Cathedral The Roman Catholic "Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King" at one end and the Anglican Cathedral of the Risen Christ (not always called this) at the other end.

These were the destinations of todays walk. Typical Scouse humour decided that two Cathedrals was greedy so one Cathedral could be considered a "Spare".

We drove to Ainsdale, picking up Jim on the way, and caught the train to Liverpool Central.

Ainsdale Station

And here comes the train. Mersey rail is always excellent with a train every 15 minutes.

From Central Station we walked towards St Georges Hall and the magnificent Library building.

This was slightly confusing as the surrounding streets were filled with stalls from the ubiquitous "German Market". Liverpool, it appears, also has it's own "Nelson's Column".

"No. you cannot have a go, We are not taking a giant Teddy back on the train !"

Mike was already in Liverpool where he was meeting up with old work colleagues for an annual reunion. He was to meet us at St Georges Hall cafe.

The streets were busy and crossing the equally busy roads was quite hazardous as the low sun was blinding if we had to look towards it,

The cafe underneath St Georges Hall was warm and welcoming.

Leaving the cafe we met up with Mike who is in this photo. 'onest !

(you can just see his left leg and shoulder. Really Mr photographer you've got to do better than this.)

At several points as we walked we encounter these.....

Electric scooters provided by the city

Our walker were not wiled by the temptation to use them though we saw several persons whizzing along the pavements on them.

It wasn't long before "Paddy's Wigwam came into view.

The photographer must apologise for the lack of photos in and around the Cathedral as he was engaged in a conversation with the "receptionist"

Who was eager to tell him all about her recent guided tour of Preston which she thought was wonderful. (Have we missed something ?)

Lunchtime was upon us and as the cafe at the RC Cathedral was temporarily closed we set off to follow Hope Street to The Anglican Cathedral where the cafe was reputedly "Excellent".

Couldn't resist this shot of the sun casting coloured shadows through the stained glass. The Meanderthals can be seen to the right.

Walking along Hope street photography was difficult as the strong, low sun was shining directly down it.

It only took a few minutes for us to reach the massive Anglican Cathedral.

And in we go.

To our amusement the "Greetings Clergy" met us with the words. "The cafe's over there," Lets get our priorities right, Eh ? True to the forecasts the cafe was indeed excellent and very busy.

The cafe overflowed into the main body of the Cathedral where diners were being entertained by members of the Cathedral choir, The singing , as one might expect, was "Glorious".

The Meanderthals were enthralled by the exquisite singing of Christmas songs. (Rudolph did NOT figure !)

After a short visit we left the Cathedral and as the day was getting late we decided to make our way directly to the station and the journey home.

Our way back to the station was easy to follow as it was next to the tower to the right of the dome.

On previous walks we have taken the route through "China Town" and down to the Albert Dock, As we get older , however, the pace of our days becomes slower. Soo.... Tempus Fugit ! back to the station.