Lovely, lively Liverpool
This is the first time I've been to Liverpool properly.
I first came on a very wet night in 1983 or 84 to see a pal who was studying in Prescott. An interminable journey on a bus to a students union bar and a night on the floor.
The second time was a bit later, possibly 1986,to see the UK Rally (or something) depart in the dead of night from Albert Dock. It rained again. Rain came up through the floor of my friend’s mini. We got back to Manchester at about 4am (in the rain) and went into lectures… In the rain.
The third time was 2012 when I worked on the UKs leading commercial property publication for six months. There was a trip to see the newly developed heart of Liverpool. It didn't rain. Which was nice.
Today, the sun came out as we visited Anthony Gormely’s statues at Crosby.
That's art.
Loads of steel chaps on plinths or buried by the tides to their heads gazing out to sea. You can make of it what you will.
It would be fantastic to see them standing resolute in driving wind, rain and sand as the light is falling on a winter's afternoon.
Today was pretty cool though.
Then back into town on the fairly new trains and a pint.
The development at Liverpool 1 has filled out since 2012. Now itis the kind of place any unsure 18 to 30 year old could happily take a date and go somewhere recognisable, safe and only slightly overpriced. They’d have a nice time too.
And who wouldn't? That's what it is designed for. It is a place of shopping and entertainment which makes a good counterpoint to the fabulous buildings down by the Mersey.
There was some money in this City in the 19 Century. The liver Building, with the distinctive birds, is titanic, the Port of Liverpool building is larger than many US State Capitols, and; there is a lifelike copy of something which looks to me like Old Scotland Yard. Now it's the St James Street Hotel
So far, I like this town and we've got a municipal cruise on the Mersey tomorrow to put things into perspective… Now, time for tea.