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Friday 24 May 2013

Gratuitous Food Boob Picture





I have no idea why, but it seems like a frequent theme in our travels is food shaped like breasts, usually with some sort of nipple type decoration, so you can't miss the intention. This one actually jiggled, and is from our 2012 Girl's weekend cruise on the Monarch of the Seas. Thanks to Lisa for the picture.

Thursday 23 May 2013

Liverpool Day 7 & 8 - Our Last Full Day and Home

We had promised to thank our genial hosts by making one of my specialities for them: gumbo. So, off to the store, and then dash to the stove!

On the way to the store. It was a lovely, warm morning.

Gumbo made with indigenous ingredients

I know what it looks like, actually I was covering a cough.
Our friends seemed to enjoy the gumbo. They had classes in the afternoon/evening, and we didn't want to interfere with their schedule, so we determined that the better part of valour was to head off across the river again.

This was the first time we had experienced a train delay. It wasn't bad.


It was warm in here.

This lovely gentleman was strumming his racket along with his sound system. Fun.


The World's Greatest Husband at Olive
 We wandered around a bit. Got some badly needed souvenirs, and ended up having dinner at Olive. Olive was fantastic. The food was delicious (especially the duck) and the service was warm and friendly. Overall, the price was good, as well.

More Architecture

Detail from a building.
 We weren't late back, since it was a school night and we had to leave early in the morning to catch our plane home.

I just loved the graphic for this. We should have this sign.

Lisa looking both gorgeous and professional.

I am still not sure what an airport ass is.
Lisa's Dad kindly drove us to the airport, and had us riveted with his stories. We were sad to arrive as quickly as we did, truth to tell. 

A quick shout-out to Air Transat: the service was great, and their Option Plus amenities are good value for money.

Sunday 19 May 2013

Liverpool Day 6 - A Trip on The Ferry

Saturday, we started with a ferry ride across the Mersey to Liverpool.

At the Station

The Mersey

Waiting to Board

River View

On the Ferry

What a Lovely Boat

Once we arrived in town, we took a walk and headed towards St. George's Hall, to have a look around.

I just loved the name of this restaurant.

More Architecture

Still more buildings.

In Gaol

Definitely hardened criminals. ;-)

A bit of landscaping


Judge Lisa

Justice must be served

Judge's "Bench"

This room was huge. A random gentleman standing next to us explained that his parents used to tell him this was where they hanged people
I forget the name of this pub, but this was their idea of a Caesar salad. I think this was some kind of tourist prank.


Very Windy on Deck

Two Awesome People

The World's Greatest Husband and Me. We were at this amazing Greek Restaurant.

The Swinging Arm in Birkenhead

Revolver
After a few beverages, we went home to bed, since it was late. The next day would be our last full day in England.

Sunday 12 May 2013

LiverPool Days 4 & 5 - Sick Day and York

We had been on the plane with some obviously ill people who did not believe in covering their mouths when they coughed. We tried valiantly to stave it off, but we both ended up sick, so Thursday, our transfer day from Radisson to Kev & Lisa's, we were definitely under the weather.
We stumbled out of the hotel in search of medicaments and a fortifying breakfast. We ended up getting meds at Boots, and breakfast at a charming place called Toff's Cafe. The food was good, the orange juice vitamin C-full, and the coffee hot and tasty. The server was a lovely woman, who gave friendly efficient service. We would have breakfast here again.

Kev and Lisa were so sweet about us being sick.  We had offered to extend our hotel stay, but they wouldn't hear of it, so we just had a quiet day at there place. I do not include pictures of their neighbourhood to protect their privacy, but it is very nice.

I can not say enough nice things about how gracious our hosts were. We felt very welcomed, and enjoyed their company very much, and they never made us feel like we were inconvenient, although I am sure we are not the easiest people to host.

After our quiet day trying to recover, we got up early the next morning because we were doing our day trip to York. As an initial observation, it was very interesting to me how very different Liverpool and York are.  Completely different vibes. Of course, in spite of its grand old architecture, Liverpool seems very modern, and the past seems to be York's stock in trade. Both are very uniquely enjoyable.

The bus trip made several stops through Liverpool and its environs, picking up passengers, so we did get to see more of the city.







Once we left Liverpool, we ascended into the Pennines, and through some pretty serious fog. About 45 minutes out of York, the bus driver stopped at a Service Centre, so we could get a snack and stretch our legs. This was welcome, and I enjoyed coffee and more orange juice.







The gate we entered the town through. York was a walled city.


Apparently, Guy Fawkes was born here. In 1570.


I just loved this Father Christmas. This was in a Christmas/toy shoppe.








We really enjoyed the vibe in York and had a great time walking through the old town, and the areas referred to as the Shambles, and Little Shambles. There was one street Lisa and Charlie quite accurately dubbed "Diagon Alley".




The York Dungeon is apparently one of a chain of live theatre/interactive "museums". I can't explain it any better than that, but it is awesome. Andrew was called up to help the black death nurse because he had "something of the Reaper" about him. And his tattoo wasn't even showing. Friend Lisa was caged with a tongueless man for being "sick and twisted". And I was brought up on witchcraft charges. Naturally, I pled insanity, and had to dance to prove my point. I shall have to remember that for the next time I am on trial...




One of the "scenes" in the dungeon was about a pub/tavern called the Golden Fleece. Got to love Lisa, she knew that it still existed and where it was.  So, that was where we had lunch. They claim to be haunted, but the only spirits I found were of the rum variety. And the food is terrific. They do have friendly skeletons and death masks, though. Definitely a don't miss. After that, a bit more shopping, and then...

We did get to see a bit more of the landscape on the way home. Lisa had to get Charlie to bed, but she recommended Andrew and I go here:
The Spice Garden. Wonderful Indian food. A very nice finish to the day.