It was a pleasant train ride which took just over an hour. We saw some lovely countryside, lots of dairy cows, alpacas, and many different cross bred sheep (Suffolks, Texel, Leicesters). We also went past a fishing pond, where fishermen are allowed to fish after paying a fee to the land owner. There is also small huts that they can use for shelter, such a novel idea, and the same cars were parked there when we went past on our way back to Penkridge, so they literally sat there all day, most likely catching Carp and Perch.
We went over the Mersey River, the tide was out, so it looked like moorlands, and as we hit the outskirts of Liverpool, it looked like a very poor area. But once we arrived at Lime Street Station, it was a very different look. We walked out onto Lime Street, and we were met by a beautiful city with a mixture of old a new buildings which complimented each other perfectly.
It was from here that we wandered through the city heading towards Albert Dock, all in desperate need of a nice coffee, we found a little cafe, and stopped in. It wasn't that great, but we persisted, and then headed on towards the Dock.
Looking across to Albert Dock
Albert Dock is a beautiful part of Liverpool, which is surrounded in museums and galleries, a very cultural area. From here we ventured into the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the bonus was, it was free to enter!! The museum had several fantastic displays which tells the story of three of the most famous and most tragic ships in history, the Titanic, the Lusitania and the Empress of Ireland.
In the early 1900s Liverpool was at the height of its prestige and influence. From the pier you could see many of the biggest and finest passenger liners in the world. In 1907 Liverpool celebrated their 700th birthday and the future looked brighter than ever. However they say disasters come in three's and the sinking of the Titanic, Lusitania and the Empress of Ireland all happened within three years between 1912 and 1915, and the effect on the port and people of Liverpool was devastating.
Royal Liver Building, Port of Liverpool Building, Cunard Building
After visiting the Maritime museum, we heading to the Tate Art Gallery, and then onto the Liverpool a Museum, all very interesting with many different displays. From there we wandered back through the city of Liverpool, to find a nice place to eat on Bold Street, a well known street with lots of great restaurants, including the Italian Club, which we entered and promptly found a table for six. The Italian Club is owned by the Crolla Family who originated in southern Italy, and they feature in the Great Britain Lonely Planet Guide.
Nathan's Steak Sandwich
Chrissie's Seafood Salad
After lunch we headed to one of the many malls that can be found in Liverpool, and hit the shops, including Primark, which is now the kids favourite shop of all!! What an experience, never have any of us seen so many people in one department store, even while we were in London!! There was clothes, shoes and accessories going everywhere and with four levels, each level was as packed as the other!
We had had a wonderful day, and so we walked back to the train station, to find that the train we had planned to catch, had been cancelled. With a quick trip to the information desk, we were told we could catch another train with a change at Crewe. We jumped on board, and had to find seats, Kyle and Marni finding themselves sitting at a table with two very jovial men, who were entertaining themselves by watching a bit of Mrs Browns Boys!
We managed our change over at Crewe with no problems, and then arrived back in Penkridge at 6.15pm. A quick walk from the train station to home, and we were all knackered!
Something to eat, and an episode of the BBCs Pride & Prejudice, which Katie convinced me we just had to watch whilst we were here, I've read the book, but not seen the mini series - it was time for bed, ready for a chocolate filled Easter Sunday!
Highlights
* The different countryside we saw on the train trip
* Crossing the Mersey river bridge twice, seeing it at low tide and high tide
* Albert Dock
* Maritime Museum
* lunch at the Italian Club
Lots of love,
Chrissie xx
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