So let the Beerfest begin...
Liverpool or rather the site at Formby is reached set amongst squirrel infested woodland just back from the sand dunes
An earlier RV at the not so sexy Lymm Truck Stop ensured the adventure seeking couples were hydrated and acquainted once more after a long absence
Its not long before our tour guide Pat has us all assembled on the not so near Formby train station and awaiting our train to the heart of Scouseland
TBH the walk to the station was a good distance for us as our recently acquired 'Fitbits' clocked up the mileage nicely and we were definitely looking to counter the beer calories with those burned off in the next couple of days...
One problem..
Nina's new shoes bought especially for the trip let her down badly and on arrival at the station she found her heels in a right state due to burst blisters!
Tourists let loose..
Whilst the girls go get plasters and tape for Nina's heels Pat spots the first watering hole
A bit later we are guided to 'The Philharmonic' and what a stunning place it is
Even the loos are Royal
Happy Bunnies
Traditional Liverpudlian fayre
Witherspoon's curry
Its at this gaff that we discover with much groaning that our rather expensive smartphone appears to be off on its own travels..
"I think it might be on the floor in the last pub" says Nina
"Oh Great" says I (or perhaps something like that)
Blind panic sets in and Jane rings the Phil up and gets them to to do a search of the pub floor but alas no result
A call to the actual phone however prompted some kind soul to hand it in and a later call had the staff reassuring us that all was well in Mobile Phone World and "would you like to come collect it"...
Always a drama..
Next day bandaged up and not in charge of the phone..
Pat's new hobby of photography has him shooting anything and everything
To keep him company I've dusted off mine too..
Attentive photographer's wives
Come back Pat!
Today's main event
Squirrel shooting (with an SLR too😀)
The local National Trust look after these characters in the form of feeding stations and public awareness information
Problem is the deal is that they put in appearances for us Public now and again so being told the go 'Sleepies' at lunchtime had Pat the squirrel spotter reeling...
Possibly the best of my shots (unlike Pat I don't have a telephoto lens)
(Now there's a story)
Beat this shot Pat!
We wander in to nearby Freshfield and discover a rather nice micro brewery housed in a former shop
Sorry Jane, had to be done
Back at the van I break out the not so secret weapon
First time for me these barrel contraptions but good value and saves on glass
The 'drink within 5 days' seems irrelevant but 'drink responsibly' advice may need to be looked at
Next day we are back in Liverpool for a proper look round
The Nelson Monument in Exchange Flags
The Nelson Monument in Exchange Flags
Part of 'The Three Graces' is The Port of Liverpool building
Pat's Risk assessment job pays off here as a word with the security staff gets us in to central staircase area for a wander round
The dome from below
The Liver Building
These Clippers are moored up ready to set sail next day bound for Uruguay on the first leg of their round the world race
Nautical Pat discovers a Titanic Trio in the Albert Docks
She has company now
The local 'Stew' is available most places
But not here at the Ship & Mitre as they've run out
Never mind you could always have a liquid lunch
The traditional method of drinking Kwak alas too many wooden holders have been broken so the glass has been changed
The signboard outside the original entrance to 'The Cavern'
The Three Graces
(The middle one is the Cunard Building)
Unforgotten heroes
That elusive shot Mate!
Formby Des Res
Various settings and beers are discussed in the Railway Inn, a drinking emporium strangely missed in the previous days across from the station, Doh!
One of a hundred 'Iron Men' adorning the beach at nearby Crosby created by the sculptor Antony Gormley
The Clippers set sail
Bon Voyage!
Later that afternoon we discover another micro brewery at Hightown
Its here that we have the pleasure of listening to a local guy's rendition of 'Land of hope & Glory"
Bizarrely this guy turns out to be the brother of local boxing hero John Conteh
So, four days spent full on with Pat & Jane in Liverpool and its affluent neighbour Formby left us as usual exhausted but we had a great time
The girls cooked lovely meals and the evenings were spent 'chewing the fat' in both vans. The real bonus was that the unpredictable weather forecasted turned out just fine and didn't stop us enjoying our Liverpudlian adventure!
Early indications are next time out in the vans will be in London, an area well known to them so we really look forward to that!
Here's a clue as to what's next for my poor liver!
'Dethfest' awaits...
