miss b loves .....Liverpool and The Three Queens

Liverpool is a city with such an interesting past and has always been a favourite of mine. Last month, the Three Queens (the three iconic Cunard ships) Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria met for the first time in the River Mersey to celebrate 175 years of the Cunard shipping line. 

An amazing event with musical entertainment including the Royal Marines Band outside the Cunard building ..... 

....and a fly past by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, one of the world's best aerobatic display teams.

The event was even more special as we had been invited for lunch in the spectacular Port of Liverpool building.....

 .....where we had the perfect view of the ships' arrival and we enjoyed a slice of celebration cake too! 

The interior of this iconic building is absolutely stunning.....

Formerly the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building, there are reminders everywhere of its maritime past including this beautiful mosaic compass design floor....

Later, as we were strolling along the waterfront, look who we stumbled across .....three more Queens! It was certainly a well-planned, memorable day! 

'Queen Mary, Queen Victoria
and Queen Elizabeth'

So memorable that we returned last week to enjoy more of this fascinating city! There are of course reminders everywhere about Liverpool's most famous band, The Beatles ....

The Cavern Club where they played
nearly 300 times!

.....and there was John leaning against the Wall of Fame!

There's no shortage of good coffee in the city and Bold Street Coffee certainly impressed me! 

I can recommend the pistachio
 and polenta cake too!

For lunch or dinner we have two favourite Italian restaurants ...  

The traditional buildings are stunning and the Pier Head is renowned for its trio of buildings known as The Three Graces. They are a symbol of Maritime Liverpool and the great wealth of the city in the late 19th and early 20th century. 

The Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Bulding
 and the Port of Liverpool Building

Two huge liver birds sit on top of the clock towers of the Royal Liver Building. The 'liver bird', a mythical creature, has become the symbol of Liverpool.

The neo-classical St Georges Hall is impressive too! 

The Museum of Liverpool is equally striking and one of the newer buldings along the waterfront. It tells the story of Liverpool and its people and the city's global significance particularly in the days of the British Empire.

There are fascinating, interactive displays about the different communities and cultures which contribute to the city's diversity brought about by its status as a major port. Of course there's Beatles memorabilia too!  Well worth a visit and the view of The Three Graces is a bonus too! 

The nearby Mann Island building with its black granite façade reflects the Port of Liverpool building .....a city of contrasts and the perfect blend of old and new!

The Albert Dock, just a few minutes walk away was opened by Prince Albert in 1846. Following the decline of docking in the city, the docks and warehouses which had once stored valuable cargo such as brandy, tobacco, tea, cotton, ivory and silk, became derelict but in 1984 it finally reopened as a major tourist attraction. 

Numerous attractions including the Beatles' Story and the impressive Tate Liverpool art gallery attract visitors from all over the world. 

Finally ......I should also mention the city's world class football ....two great teams, great rivals though, Liverpool and Everton and there's the Liverpool One shopping area which has attracted many great brands......

Liverpool people are renowned for their friendliness, warm welcome and sense of humour and I certainly  have a special affection for the city. I may well be a little biased as my maternal Grandparents were Liverpudlians!