#ferry across the mersey

[aneverydaything]

Day 2152, 14 May 2024

[glitch-e-stardust]

Guy who lived in Liverpool for less than a year and now has a deep and abiding lifelong hatred of the beatles

[groovybananastarfish]

Beautiful ❤️🎵

[bikepackinguk]

Day Seventy-one

It's a bright sunny day! Almost too bright, the forecast has some high temperatures so it's time to get slathered in sun block.

After loading up on a good cooked breakfast at the B&B in Preston, it's time to get across the River Ribble and get on ournof the urban labyrinth. A few wrong turns and busy roads but eventually I'm riding out of town following the cycle path as it tracks the A59 southwest.

There's barely a cloud in the sky and the temperature is rising, but the ride along the A road is helped by having some long sections of bike paths alongside periodically, and the flat terrain means it's time to crank the miles out.

The road being lined with hedges and trees does mean a lack of much scenery besides vehicles, but it's a price to be paid to make some good pacing.

It's some solid mileage being put in as the road crosses the River Douglas and I finally turn off the road at Banks, where we finally hit the Ribble Estuary and get a great view back across the water to yesterday's ride, with Blackpool Tower still visible on the horizon.

Further around the corner I get in to Southport, with a beach heaving with holidaymakers enjoying the sea and sun.

Carrying along the coastline, the road runs alongside some big sandy dunes before hitting Ainsdale, where it yhen swings back inland to hit the A565.

Fortunately this busy dual carriageway is well provisioned with fully segregated cycle paths, so I'm able to hrind out some good miles at good pace as the road leads on nice and level.

I take a pit stop for lunch by Formby in order to get some shade and relief from the scorching sun overhead. The rising air temperature is making it a sweaty day, but I'm well provisioned for water.

I head off the main road to swing back to the coastline proper at Hightown, with some nice rides around the dunes here before dropping on to the beachside promenade at Crosby. There are some great views across the water over to Wallasey and the Welsh coastline.

I carry on a ways along Crosby beach before the windswept sand is piled high enough on the path that riding through it becomes impossible, and strike back inland a little.

Liverpool seems very well supplied with cycle routes, but with so many criss-crossing each other it swiftly becomes a pain to work out which one leads where, and I end up just following the A road once more. This still has cycle pathing all along, making for more great progress.

Past tye docklands at Bootle, I have a few weong turns before arriving into the historic city centre of Liverpool, which is bustling in the heat.

I grab a ticket for the ferry across the River Mersey, and join the long queue for the 4pm crossing, which puts us in at Seacombe.

Onwards! There's a simply lovely stretch of non-traffic riding back downriver to New Brighton, which then continues along the promenades past Wallasey.

The hills along the coast of Wales are growing clearer and taller as they draw near, and whilst the temperature is still high the clouds are starting to grow in the sky, giving a welcome break from the sun's rays.

It's finally goodbye to the promenade riding at Hoylake, where the route jumps on to a long, long old rail route that runs all the way back along yhe River Dee Estuary. It's some bumpy going at times with a few gravelly sections, but is still fairly level meaning more miles being eaten up.

At Neston there are a few climbs thrown in, but with a day of level riding the legs are still in good states and these are ascended without any drama.

Past the Ness Botanical Gardens, there's a lovely long zoom downhill with a beautiful view of the Ruver Dee and the hills behind it as the route sails down for a ride through an RSPB nature reserve.

Halfway through the Burton Mere Wetlands, I encounter a very nice looking sign. I've crossed the border into Wales!

Pretty pleased with that! Some solid progress to get this far today, but with the evening setting in I think I've earned a good lie down.

A little scouting around has a nice secluded spot near Deeside Industrial Park, where I'm having a good lie down. The temperature is forecast to still be hitting 20 degrees even by midnight, so I may not even need the sleeping bag tonight! Here's to tomorrow!

TTFN!

[markwatkinsreviews]

BOOK REVIEW: CROSSING THE PARK by Peter Kenny Jones (2023)

Rafa Benitez writes the Foreword to Crossing The Park and with this page-turner we soon get into “the nitty-gritty” from The 1800s and on through to  Merseyside-modern via the long and winding river tributaries leading to fitting tributes to some great football players who’ve played for both Everton and Liverpool.

For example, ex-Ipswich Town forward David Johnson who played twice for The Reds and twice for The Toffees and sadly passed away only last November (2022) aged 71. 

On the positive, aside from all his goals and England caps, Johnson was the first player to make 100 appearances for both clubs. 

On the negative, he failed to win over Everton supporters with injuries playing a part, and maybe supporting Liverpool as a kid!

The general theme of Peter Kenny Jones’s hardback is football rivalry, thanks to certain individuals Crossing The Park from Anfield to Goodison (and vice-versa). Hence this able author giving ratings for each player that made the difficult, but short road trip for their status as a “Legend” or “Traitor”.

So, Crossing The Park is a history lesson, ferrying readers minds across the Mersey; at the conclusion of the Jones’s book one feels one has learned many new facts and figures, so...result!

Crossing The Park is out on 24 April, 2023 on PITCH and very neatly scribed by Peter Kenny Jones who knows how to write interestingly on “The Men Who Dared To Play For Both”.

Rating: 9/10 

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/crossing-park

Mark Watkins, Dare radio, 27 April, 2023.

[bluesman56]

Mersey Ferries by Tony Via Flickr: In about 1150, the Benedictine Priory at Birkenhead was established. The monks used to charge a small fare to row passengers across the river. At this time, the Mersey was considerably wider with sand dunes and marshes to the north leading up to Ainsdale beach and sandstone cliffs and shorelines to the south near Otterspool. The only suitable landing point for the ferry was in the Pool, near the site of the present Merseyside Police headquarters. Weather often stopped crossings and passengers were delayed for days, taking shelter at the priory.

[qoqbob]

Liverpool - Maritime Mercantile City

People like me still pour Into Liverpool to get a sense of where the 1960s cultural phenomena that was The Beatles originated. Gray-haired, in sensible shoes, jeans and t-shirts venturing to Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, the Cavern Club and on the famous ferry across the River Mersey. The Beatles provided the soundtrack for our childhood, teenage years and young adult life. We never change the radio station when a Beatles song is playing. We owned their records on vinyl, cassette tape and CD, and still have Beatles songs on our smart phones. Our concept of love, freedom and life were shaped by the songs created out of the life and times of four lads from Liverpool. We barely understood their Scouse but they championed our causes - peace and love. On the Beatles Tour Bus, there are people from all around the world and every walk of life. Liverpudlians are happy you come to celebrate the Beatles, but there is a lot more to Liverpool. The old docks along the river are now places of entertainment, museums, concert venues and restaurants. The old Victorian core is being renovated or creatively decorated like the graffiti-laden Baltic Quarter, and the surrounding hillsides of Georgian districts, University and Cathedral buildings being put to imaginative uses in funky cafes, clubs and outdoor art displays. Out past leafy Toxteth restored from the 1980s rioting, the childhood home of John Lennon and the teenage home of Paul McCartney are now open to tours by the National Trust.

Liverpool rose to global cultural status in the post war 20th Century on the phenomenal success of The Beatles. The northwestern English port city had enormous economic success in International trade, first in the slave trade as ships from Liverpool sailed to west Africa bearing manufactured goods which were traded for human cargo. Captured native peoples were sold into slavery and shipped to North and South America where they were pressed into service on plantations, mines and domestic service. Raw materials were loaded aboard the ships and brought back to Liverpool. The Victorian-era Albert Docks were built of Iron, glass and brick designed to be the first fireproof bonded warehouses in the world. They were set on fire after construction to prove they worked as advertised. It was these distinctive buildings, wharves, canals and civic architecture of 18th-19th and early 20th Century Liverpool that led the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to name the city a World Heritage Site in 2004. In July 2021, UNESCO deleted that listing as it had for the Elbe River Valley in Germany and the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman citing the warning issued in 2012 when Liverpool redeveloped the waterfront transforming the warehouses to museums like the Tate Liverpool, the Liverpool Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum and adding visionary modern buildings like the elongated curving trapezoidal Museum of Liverpool, the black glass rhomboid of the Open Eye Gallery and the Pier Head ferry terminal with it’s cafes and viewpoints.

UNESCO reports: “The Committee considers that these constructions are detrimental to the site’s authenticity and integrity. Liverpool’s historic centre and docklands were inscribed for bearing witness to the development of one of the world’s major trading centers in the 18th and 19th centuries. The site also illustrated pioneering developments in modern dock technology, transport systems and port management.” The City of Liverpool pushed back with a statement that they are not a monument or a museum but a rapidly changing city and points out that the Tower of London world heritage center is surrounded by some of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom but isn’t on the endangered list. The statement adds that the Liver Building was constructed on a filled in dock, a long standing architectural and building tradition. I like the modern buildings. Their designs are innovative and add contrast to the stately old structures. The frames and viewpoints from the terraces and windows of the Museum of Liverpool are wonderful.

The World Heritage sites are worth seeking out in their own right. Like a great book, the sites should be considered in planning any visit to a new place, but I wonder if Liverpool really needs the designation. It can proudly point out the sheer scale of historic structures throughout the city. Much of its charm is in sweeping vistas the hillsides provide with pedestrian shopping zones, parks and an eclectic mixture of monuments and street art. One can imagine among the relics and uniform squares of the Albert Docks, the bustling port full of ships, porters, stevedores, dockworkers, horses and workers instead of the tourists buying ice creams or sausages from the wagons. The World Heritage designation reflected the role of Liverpool as the supreme example of a commercial port at the time of Britain's greatest global influence. Liverpool is growing from the ruins of the wartime bombing and the collapse of the former economic model. It’s a great place to visit. I’ll be back. I didn’t visit any of the three major Beatles collections, but I felt like I learned a lot about the place they found their voice and created music that rocked my world.https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWra4E1https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWra4E1

[zilabee]

I always thought I had a great childhood,” says Ringo with a laugh, as he talks about his mum taking two buses and a ferry across the Mersey to visit him once a week. “Then a therapist told me, ‘Well, actually, it sounds like you were abandoned and lived in a slum.’

Rolling Stone

[paintedimagining]

The cafe guys in the Mersey ferry terminal must REALLY love Duran Duran’s ‘Rio. They’ve turned it up full whack like they haven’t on any of the other songs on the radio, and are belting along to it too. Can’t say I blame them, it’s great song- especially the chorus. But I’m pretty sure they don’t actually know I’m still here, as the ferry has just gone so the terminal is empty, and I’m hiding in a nook in the corner quietly waiting with a brew, as I’m far too early again for my appointment in the next building. It might be a little embarrassing when I have to get up and leave after hearing them singing passionately out of tune at the top of their voices lol bless, you go guys!

[krispyweiss]

Gerry and the Pacemakers’ Gerry Marsden Dies at 78

Gerry Marsden, leader of the British Invasion group Gerry and the Pacemakers, has died at 78.

Marsden died Jan. 3 and had been battling an infection in his heart, family friend Pete Price said in a statement on social media.

“I am shocked to hear of the passing of my long-time pal Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers,” Billy J. Kramer wrote on Facebook. “We toured the world together many times. My heart goes out to his wife, Pauline, and the rest of his family.

Like Kramer’s Dakotas and the Beatles, Marsden and the Pacemakers - whose hits included “Ferry Across the Mersey” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” - hailed from Liverpool and were managed by Brian Epstein.

Paul McCartney eulogized Marsden as “a mate from our early days in Liverpool” and the Pacemakers as the Beatles’ “biggest rivals on the local scene.”

“My sympathies go to his wife Pauline and family,” McCartney wrote on Facebook. “See ya, Gerry. I’ll always remember you with a smile.”

Also like the Fabs, Marsden and the Pacemakers were Cavern Club regulars, notching nearly 200 concerts there before his 2019 retirement.

“Always a great show, always good fun and a fantastic story teller,” the famed venue said on Twitter.

1-3-21

[kirstythejetblackgoldfish]

Question on Ask.fm: ‘Have you ever been on a ferry?’

My answer:

Just remembered there was a third time - after a science museum trip when I was 15, we went on a ferry across the River Mersey and got to see Liverpool from the boat 

Totally random but I was wearing a Stewie Griffin T-shirt that day 

[strictlyfavorites]

(Gerry & The Pacemakers)

[markandtrish]

Liverpool, February 4-8, 2020

Tuesday

Set off on a new adventure to Liverpool, intending to stop overnight in Stafford but we made such good progress that we decided to press on and give ourselves an extra day in Liverpool.

Arrived at the campsite in Southport about 4pm and were soon set up, and decided to treat ourselves to a meal out. Freezing cold by the seafront but we walked along to a pub where we had vouchers for a free drink each, The Guelder Rose. Had our drink and decided to have a carvery there as well, which was lovely. Called in to a couple more pubs on the way back to the van admiring the elegance of Southport, before a quick bit of tv and an early night.

 Wednesday

Up to get the train into Liverpool. About a 40 minute journey in and when we arrived we headed straight for Mathew Street, home of the Cavern Club. Had a look at the wall of fame outside and the discs to commemorate every Number One hit by a Liverpool group or artist then went down into the depths of the Cavern Club for a drink and listen to a local musician. Loads of memorabilia around the walls and every inch of the brickwork has been signed by visitors.

A lovely time looking round then we came out and headed for Albert Docks. It suddenly got really cold again so we went into the Maritime museum to warm up. Sadly, the Titanic display was closed for work to be done on it but we went round the Museum of slavery and the Lusitania exhibition. A huge place and loads of information. Had lunch in the café there, a bowl of Scouse, a lamb stew served with pickled red cabbage.

We then headed away from the water to Chinatown and the Anglican Cathedral, the biggest in Britain. We found the arch but considering it’s meant to be the largest Chinatown in the country, we couldn’t find much at all, a street of closed restaurants and that was about it.

The cathedral was much more impressive, designed in 1902 by Giles Gilbert Scott whose other claim to fame is as the designer of the red phone box.

A wander back into the city, calling at the Bombed-Out Church, and a last drink to rest our weary legs before heading back on the train to Southport and back to the van.

Thursday 

Up in good time to catch the train into Liverpool and get to the Mersey Ferry for the 11am cruise. Just before embarking we strolled to The Beatles statue at the Pier Head and waited our turn for selfies with the Fab Four.

It was cold out on the river but the cruise was the best way possible to see Liverpool’s famous waterfront, including the Three Graces – the Liver building, the Cunard offices and the Port of Liverpool building. Spent about 45 minutes going across and up and down the river, with two stops on the Wirral. Every so often they played a little blast of Ferry Cross the Mersey, which was nice.

Disembarked and made our way back into town, looking around St Nick’s - the fishermen’s church totally rebuilt after all but the spire was destroyed in the war – before stopping off for the first drink of the day at the nearby Pig and Whistle pub. Took time out for a lovely and very filling Chinese buffet meal and then it was off to the Metropolitan cathedral – Paddy’s Wigwam – an absolutely incredible building. 

We were amazed to learn that the iconic structure was in fact the third design over many decades. The other two were never built, although the crypt for the second, giant dome design was constructed in the 1930s. It’s the biggest crypt in Britain and it sits underneath a cathedral of a totally different design! Walked all around the outside of the cathedral, looking at the different chapels on the way and seeing the inscribed name of Elizabeth’s grandad, who was the diocese surveyor. Walked on back into Liverpool, stopping at Ma Egerton’s pub, named after a famous theatrical agent and landlady before visiting the statue of Eleanor Rigby near Mathew Street before heading to the Cavern Pub for a drink. Home on the teatime train for cheese rolls, wine, a film, and a very resting bed!

Friday

A well-deserved lie-in today after all our walking. Had a stroll into Southport and a look at the shops then treated ourselves to fish and chips in Spoons. Back to the van for a cup of tea and relax before setting off into Liverpool about 5pm.

Had a drink in The Grapes pub in Mathew Street and then we went to the Beatles show at the Cavern. It’s not in the actual cavern but an underground lounge next door, pretty packed with people of all ages. A good warm-up act of a bloke with a guitar covering lots of stuff by other performers at the Cavern over the years, from Buddy Holly to Queen, who had their first paid gig at the Cavern.

The Beatles came on later and ran through a host of songs with very little chat in between. Paul and John looked very like the originals but it was a good show, people were up and dancing and we left very reluctantly just before the end to catch the penultimate train back to Southport and finally rolled into bed about midnight, weary but happy.

 Saturday  

A bit of a lie in this morning before catching the train again, this time to head under the Mersey to the Wirral. A very easy transport system and regular trains meant we were soon at Rock Ferry, the nearest station to Prenton Park, the home of Tranmere Rovers. 

A 20 minute walk got us to the ground and we picked up our tickets before joining a couple of coach loads of Pompey fans in the Prenton Park pub. We then wandered up to the ground where they have a fan zone, a big marquee outside the ground open to all fans. They have a bar, food, hot drinks, tables, an area for kids to play Fifa and lots of memorabilia. There were loads of families and fans meeting up there and it was a really friendly atmosphere. Probably the only time we will see a football marquee with chandeliers!

A few problems with seating as there were no set seats and the gangways soon filled up, not helped by the steward who just told them to squeeze in where they could! They were soon moved to the edges of the stand by the police and everything settled down to a good game on a pretty ropey pitch. A 2-0 win for Pompey helped us ignore the freezing cold wind and we made a detour on the way home to a pub that had the best toilets in Liverpool. The Philarmonic Dining Rooms pub, beautifully decorated with red marble urinals in the gents, (very ordinary ladies toilets), which is now a Grade 1 listed building.

Back to Southport and a quick steak dinner before a good night’s sleep.

[dandelioninajungle]

F is for... Ferry. Across the Mersey. Totally sang that. All the commuters looked like they were used to strange Londoners singing it on their ferry. Great times. #ferry #mersey #liverpool #water #rivermersey #fmspad (at Mersey Ferries) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2FSHownsyM/?igshid=1hhsfg716vtw5

[bluesman56]

Ferry by Tony Via Flickr: In about 1150, the Benedictine Priory at Birkenhead was established. The monks used to charge a small fare to row passengers across the river. At this time, the Mersey was considerably wider with sand dunes and marshes to the north leading up to Ainsdale beach and sandstone cliffs and shorelines to the south near Otterspool. The only suitable landing point for the ferry was in the Pool, near the site of the present Merseyside Police headquarters. Weather often stopped crossings and passengers were delayed for days, taking shelter at the priory.

[the-man-in-the-wind]

Liverpool across the Mersey from Rock Ferry

North Wales across the Dee estuary from Parkgate

Taken by @the-man-in-the-wind