Liverpool and Blackpool

Left Wales today, on our way to northern England.  First stop is Liverpool, the home of the Beatles and don't you know it!!  Beatlemania is front and centre throughout the centre of town, it's a complete industry in itself which obviously attracts lots of tourists to the city.  Before the Beatles though it was (and still is) a large port city, we spent a fair bit of time in the harbour area and the developments there are really modernising the waterfront area.  Lots of apartment buildings being created in old warehouses, Tate museum, restaurants and nightclubs are revitalising the area.  A new cruise terminal catering for super cruises is also being built.  There was also a big music industry before the Beatles made it big and the city is now recognising those artists with statues and museums but it is the Beatles which carries so much industry in the city tourist industry.  We did the obvious and got a ferry across the Mersey!!!  It's a 1 hour ferry, lots of history and information about the city.

Then to Blackpool, very similar to Brighton, it has suffered from the cheap flights and good weather in Spain et al.  It is struggling to remain relevant, it has 3 piers with entertainment on each, the waterfront street has about 2 kilometres of local show type entertainment - ghost houses, pinball parlors, theatres and tribute shows.  It's all a bit tacky but thousands of people congregate there every week.  We were there on a Saturday and lots of Bucks and Hens parties were in progress.  By the time we left some of the parties were descending into aggravated arguments as the alcohol took it's toll.  We did like Blackpool and with a little more money spent in the town it could once again become a desirable holiday destination.
Some groceries then drive up to Cumbria for a three night spell.

The famous club where the Beatles played 292 shows before they hit the big time

The club is about 5 sets of stairs underground

Liverpool - the old and new side by side

On the ferry across the Mersey

This is 'The Stereo', it's a ventilation vent for the Mersey Tunnel, which was our entry to the city.

Liverpool skyline

The red ship is the Sir David Attenborough, a research vehicle being fitted out in dock before commissioning. 

Just imagine.....the Liverpool Museum

Eleanor Rigby

Cilla Black

The Fab Four

The Fab Five

Harbour food bus

Art with Pam

Blackpool Tower

Heritage Tram

Small section of the front street along the beach

The Central Pier

Under the boardwalk

The beach looking at the South Pier

Walk along the north pier

Our new B&B