Half way to the moon.

On our last day in Liverpool we did some touristy things to show Amy the sights too.

Out on the Mersey was the Mersey ferry 'Snowdrop' plying it's trade in the dazzle paint to remember WWI. The pattern was designed by Sir Peter Blake in honour of the dazzle paints that the warships were painted at some stage in the conflict so that the outline was broken up and the eye deceived into thinking no ship was there. It may have worked with the vessel at a disatnce, and then it was greys brown, blacks and whites, not the  lovely bright colours of the 'Snowdrop'.

Walking south up the promenade there is a lovely uninterrupted view of the Anglican Cathedral. Sir Gilbert Scott won the competition to design the cathedral and it was started in 1904. The first bit to be completed was the Lady Chapel but in 1910 redesigned the building. Unfortunately WWI intervened and caused delays, but in 1924 the cathedral was consecrated. WWII and caused further delays. Gilbert Scott died in 1960 and it wasn't until 1978 that the building was completed.

We walked up from the river past Higson's Brewery that was built in 1902 of these wonderful red terracotta bricks. It was formely the Walker's Cains brewery that Higson's took over. I never liked Higson's beer when I was a callow youth but it has recently been revived so maybe I will give it another bash

We headed up the Anglican Cathedral as the travelling exhibition of the moon installation was there. It is a 23' diameter blow up replica of the moon using detailed NASA photos created by Luke Jerram. There is ambient noise etc, but apparently it all ramps up when it gets darker outside. It was in a great space for it and certainly added to the mystery of the massive volume of the cathedral.

We paid our fee to go up the tower as it was a great day and we could see for miles. Looking down we couldn't quite see 'Holderness' as we are tucked under the wall, but Salthouse and Albert Dock were clear enough.

We were up at the top with the best view in Liverpool for about 45 minutes with plenty to distract us, and the guides in the little cabin at the top can answer  most questions put to them.

To get to the top is two lifts and 108 steps. These are the steps from the  stop, it certainly gives you some idea of the height you are. (331ft or 101m).

I couldn't resist another picture of the moon. It just seems in the right place here.

We walked out on to Hope Street and the view of the Catholic Cathedral, or Paddy's Wigwam, but didn't go in as we had a date with a pint.

We wanted to show Amy the Philharmonic Pub. Funnily enough it was built for Cains the brewers between 1898 and 1900. It is a Grade II listed building. Two of the small rooms are named after Brahms and Liszt, maybe some thing to do with the Phiharmonic Concert Hall being over the road, or not!

One of the big features is the Gentlemen's Lavatory. I had never been in there on my own but managed to get a picture this time. Roseate marble and brass certainly give Weatherspoons a run for their money. A National gem for  sure.

We later ate out in a nice pasta place and then went to the picture to see the Hans Solo Star Wars film, that was all it should be. We were 'done in' afterwards and headed to bed.