Still “following the sun” in England, I had a “ticket to ride” to Liverpool. The town by the Mersey, home of THE BEATLES, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! “Money may not buy me love” but it sure got me the Magical Mystery Tour. And, no, they don’t have “eight days a week” in Liverpool but seven is plenty enough.
My train from Reading took me to the Lime Street station in Liverpool. I took a connecting train to the James Street station, a 5 minutes walk from Albert Dock. As soon as I got out of the station I was greeted by the English weather. It was raining “here, there, and everywhere”. I had forgotten to pack an umbrella and I was drenched by the time I got to the hotel. As soon as I got changed, I “felt fine”. “Here comes the sun” and “I am as happy as can be”. I got acquainted with my surroundings, Albert Dock, Salt Dock, the Mersey River and walk along the Mersey to Pier Head.
Next, I headed for The Beatles Story. The ticket was good for two days and included The Beatles Hidden Gallery, John Lennon’s White Feather Exhibition, and Fab4D at Pier Head.
If you are into Beatlemania, then this is El Dorado!
We are reminded that the British Invasion of the 60’s was a return favor by the Liverpool lads after years of absorbing American rock and roll culture. The Beatles grew up wanting to be Elvis and in turn, a whole generation in America wanted to emulate The Beatles.
The next day I took a “day tripper”, a “one way ticket yeah, it took me so long” on the Magical Mystery Tour bus to the Cavern Club.
I suspected the tour route meandering through the suburbs of Liverpool must have closely followed John Lennon’s path playing truant from school. We covered all four Beatles childhood homes. Ringo’s home is abandoned and slated for demolition but the people of Liverpool are saying “wait”, “we can work it out”! George Harrison’s is a well kept private home. Paul McCartney’s and John Lennon’s homes are national trust sites.
The “long and winding road” took us to one of rock and roll’s most historic sites, the church yard John Lennon first met Paul McCartney. Then we swung by “Strawberry Fields (forever)” which is the gate of an orphanage, “Penny Lane” with its famous barber shop, and finally at that famous grotto in Beatledom called The Cavern Club.
“Something” in the way the Cavern Club feels speaks of the urgent brilliance of the early Beatles performances there. I just had to be seen “standing there” with a pint of the Cavern’s own brew in my hand. One more pint and I would have been “twisting and shouting”! 😉
I had a late lunch just up the street from The Cavern at The William Gladstone. Their summer special was fish and chips with a pint of beer for only GBP4.99! The sweet young lady was very patient with me while I tried to figure out “mooshed p’s” and “ar’den p’s“. After repeating herself several times, I opted for the safe choice of ar’den p’s. Give me ardent over mushed any day. I also requested for a glass of wine instead, which she happily obliged.
Appetite satiated, I went to “please, please me” with some shopping. Downtown Liverpool has a vibrant shopping district. That funny vehicle is the Yellow Duckmarine Tour.
What was I supposed to do when I saw Clarks shoes on sale? “All I’ve got to do” was find my “Old Brown Shoes”. I’ve got the 60’s in my head and so I opted to buy a pink polka dotted umbrella to go.
“Good morning, good morning” to a drizzly day. Not to be deterred, I headed up Pier Head after breakfast with my pink polka dot umbrella. I had to take the Ferry Cross the Mersey popularized by Gerry & the Pacemakers. As though on a queue, the song came through the loud speakers as I boarded.
That’s my pink polka dot umbrella in my backpack to match my t-shirt. Pretty cool eh? 😎
After the ferry ride, I went to visit the brand new Liverpool museum that talked about the history of the place. Yes, Liverpool is not just about the Fab4. It was the major port of embarkation for many English emigrants leaving for America and Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
I explored the public buildings that formed Victorian Liverpool when it was one of the busiest ports in the world. Liverpool ONE is a refreshing urban renewal project in the old city providing state of the art shopping.
That was a wonderful visit and as the Fab4 would put it, “I’ll be back”. 🙂
Still in my Beatles vein, here is a simple cake using the ever popular British biscuit, McVitie’s Digestives to make my “White Cake Album”. After a taste of it, one might sing “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and have a “couple of kids running in the yard”!
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:40]
No, I did not meet Paul or Ringo!
For the first part of my travel to England, please check out Coddled Eggs from Merry Olde England.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
August 19, 2011 at 7:40 pmGlad to see you get back in one piece! I must say your posts just keep getting better. And WOW!! You were really here, there and EVERYWHERE in Liverpool, weren’t you?? I really didn’t think you’d be able to cover it all, but, really, I should have known better LOL Oh before I forget, I want to tell you, your cake is lovely! I tried making an oreo log cake once, but compared to yours, mine looked like an old brown shoe 😛 When it comes to the kitchen, woman, truly, you know what to do 😉
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:39 amI am glad I visited Liverpool before the riots broke out there. Can’t you see, can’t you see, it was so much fun out there. The Magical Mystery Tour was the highlight of my visit there…give me more, hey, hey, hey, give me more! I think I put in more than ten thousand steps each day…LOL…and at times I’m so tired that it felt like a hard day’s night. 🙂
I’ve known a secret for a week or two. Closer, let me whisper in your ear… I’ve always had the idea that with McVitie’s we can work it out as it is relative soft. Can you believe I lugged 5 rolls of those biscuits home? Of course I had a little help from my friends. 😉
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
August 19, 2011 at 7:43 pmAnd one last thing, from me to you, and this is no bull – I AM SO JEALOUS!!!! It’s all too much for another Fab Four fan *sigh*
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:41 amAww…Denise, if there’s any thing that you want, if there’s anything I can do to help get you there, just call on me… 🙂
rebecca says
August 19, 2011 at 9:07 pmfun cake and love liverpool that tour looks like a hoot (he he I sounded American then!)
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:42 amI had fun Rebecca and I have a feeling that I may visit again sometime. 😉
Blackswan says
August 19, 2011 at 10:44 pmWow, thks for sharing with us all these lovely shots! Looks like u’d a great vacation. The flowery tee looks so sweet & fits u perfectly well.
The White Cake is so interesting! I’ve never seen it before & it looks like something I can manage. Have a wonderful weekend, Biren!
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:43 amThe cake is really easy peasy to put together. Best of all no cooking! 🙂
Clarkie @ Beloved Green says
August 19, 2011 at 11:20 pmWhat a fantastic set of photos. Oh, how I miss jolly ol’ England!
Loving this cake, it looks so divine — and after my run this evening I could devour it all.
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:44 amThanks Clarkie! England was fun and the cake is perfect after a workout. 🙂
Angie's Recipes says
August 19, 2011 at 11:40 pmA terrific layered cake ;-))
I am too jealous of your Liverpool tour. I want to go too!
Biren says
August 20, 2011 at 12:46 amThanks Angie! Liverpool is a fun place to visit and it is easy to get around. Most things are within walking distance.
Juliana says
August 20, 2011 at 11:10 amBiren, great pictures…my husband will love to see Liverpool. Love the biscuit log, so easy and so yummie.
Have a great weekend 🙂
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:03 pmThanks Juliana!
wok with ray says
August 20, 2011 at 1:50 pmThat biscuit looks really good, Biren. When I was growing up I’ve always wanted to be George Harrison, I guess all the boys during my time wanted to be one of them, haha. This is such a good post and it brings back a lot of childhood crazy Beatles memory. Thank you for sharing it, Biren. Have a great weekend!
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:08 pmYes, I think a lot of guys wanted to be them. They do have a boyish charm about them and their songs are catchy and different for their time. Even today, those songs still sound fantastic!
Lyndsey ~The Tiny Skillet~ says
August 20, 2011 at 7:20 pmIt looks like such fun. I was in Liverpool just once briefly and in December…very cold for me. I wish I could of stayed longer and see more. Well now I don’t have too after your post! You are too cute and clever with all the Beatles’s songs into your lingo! This is such a fun White Cake!
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:09 pmOh, you should visit again. There is much to see and do in Liverpool. If you are a Beatles fan, Liverpool is a must! 🙂
Pachecopatty says
August 20, 2011 at 9:48 pmHi Biren, love this post! I’ve made this cake before-it’s fun to make!
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:10 pmThanks Patty! The cake is fun to make and eat. 🙂
anncoo says
August 21, 2011 at 10:50 amGreat pictures! I wish I’m in Liverpool now 🙂
Love your layered biscuits and I bet it is very delicious and so good with some English tea.
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:13 pmThanks Ann! I enjoyed myelf in Loverpool. There was much to see and do. The cake is simple and fun to make. It tasted even better the next following day when the biscuit soften a little more.
Christine says
August 21, 2011 at 4:42 pmGreat post! Love the photos. Cake looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:13 pmThanks Christine!
Jamie @ the unseasoned wok says
August 21, 2011 at 6:22 pmBiren you keep making me so jealous with all your vacation pics, especially the fish & chips!! Thank you for sharing it all with us. The log cakes looks perfect for my cup of coffee! Or should I say tea?
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:16 pmThanks Jamie! It was a much needed vacation for me and I had fun putting the pictures together in a post. I like tea but a cup of coffee would be good with it too. 🙂
Lisa H. says
August 21, 2011 at 10:25 pmI have not stepped foot in Liverpool in my years living in the UK… what a shame :(. Your photos makes me yearn to visit the land of the Fab4… 😀
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:17 pmYou should one of these days, especially if you a re a Beatles fan. 🙂
cooking varieties-wan maznah says
August 22, 2011 at 2:26 amhi biren.. first time here.
wow your white cake attracts plus a no need to cook thingy- what can be better for a beginner like me- heaven sent..thanks !
glad i blog walk to your site.. hi, i am Wan, from malaysia, do visit my blog , would love to read a comment from you too. have a nice day..
i like the beatles song “oh darling” LOL
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:21 pmHi Wan Maznah, very nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting and do visit again soon.
This is a really easy dessert to put together. I hope you will give it a try.
DongXing says
August 22, 2011 at 7:23 amHi Biren, Like Lisa H. above, I have never been to Liverpool since I stepped foot in England (shame, I know!). I shall have to ditch my kids to the in-laws for a few days before I can visit with my other half. But I can tell you that had you had time to make this cake at my place, you will definitely earn no. 1 super-auntie spot with my kids….I think I will have to plan this cake one weekend when I have a long run to do – run first and then eat to my heart content!!
Biren says
August 22, 2011 at 11:26 pmLiverpool is fun! You should go away for a weekend. It would be a nice visit for you and hubby. 🙂
I’ll let you be super-mom this time. A long run before digging in is a good idea because it is hard to stop at just one slice. 😉
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
August 23, 2011 at 12:22 pmThanks for giving a tour in Liverpool! I’ve never been there and this was such a great introduction. My kids are too small to do all the sightseeing but one day… I want to visit!!!! Now the white cake looks so delicious. I couldn’t tell from the first picture that this was made of biscuits. It was a nice treat after the tour. 😉
kristy says
August 26, 2011 at 4:23 amI guess we have the same taste in shoes. haha…. I super love this kind of shoes. It’s really comfortable and lasting but it’s quite expensive back here. Sounds like you had such great fun along the trip. Thanks for sharing.
Kristy
Marlene says
August 26, 2011 at 12:30 pmGlad you avoided riots. Now go back and take photos of “rioted” Liverpool! (or maybe dont)
Magic of Spice says
August 30, 2011 at 10:58 pmWhat an exciting trip and photos tour! This log looks delightful, not sure I have had anything like it, wonderful 🙂