The house seems tiny, the sofa's too low, but the black and white photographs taken by Mike McCartney loom large from the wall papered walls - Bring this house to Beatles life! Turn this cramped little council house into a king sized musical mansion. Each photo placed where it was orginally taken. Pauls father by the piano - Paul by the fireplace, a deck chair in the garden mirroring a photo on the wall of him sitting there strumming his guitar unaware of what lay ahead - My favourite photo the one of Paul in the garden leaning over his dad frowning at a cross word puzzle - an image drawing me in. I was almost in it! A young man poised for unimaginable fame bent over a figure who'd toiled and slaved to bring him up.
Its easy to imagine the fans stretched along the road, hysteria filling the street, the annoyance of neighbours misunderstanding all they saw. We love you Yeah Yeah Yeah, as we do this testament to a truth that anything is possible! All you need is Love!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Impression....
We entered the house through the back door just as Aunt Mimi would have asked us to do. The garden is a typical English Garden with crazy paving and the usual selection of flora and fauna. The Kitchen is as it was. The living room, although small, has a big old radio in it where John would have listened to the "The Goon Show" which he loved. No doubt this had an influence on his wit. Its worth taking a break here and just soaking up the vibes. Its not hard to imagine John sitting here with other aspirations in mind than those Aunt Mimi had for him. In fact John managed to fail all of his final exams by one grade. A lesson perhaps to all those parents trying to force their children in directions that they didn't/ and don't want to go in. The living room is filled with a sense of those youngs lads music sessions, tinged with a sense that Aunt Mimi didn't understand what the lads were trying to achieve, and worried about Johns future. The book shelves installed here were meant to encourage John to read. But of course he was a writer not a reader. A paperback writer and a song writer. Johns room, the tiny box room above the front door, is filled with teenage dreams - Bridget Bardot above the bed - his records - a minimalist room over stuffed with musical dreams. I spent more time here than in any other room.
As we entered the house other visitors were leaving, some with tears in their eyes. A woman I got chatting to on the bus thought that this was over the top, but I could only think that those tears were the tears of people tuned into the spirit within this house, and who left it understanding the boy, the dreams, and the loss we all feel when someone we don't know dies before we are ready to let them go.
I'll never forget this visit, and will listen to his music again as though for the very first time. Listening is easy with eyes closed. Strawberry Fields Forever.
As we entered the house other visitors were leaving, some with tears in their eyes. A woman I got chatting to on the bus thought that this was over the top, but I could only think that those tears were the tears of people tuned into the spirit within this house, and who left it understanding the boy, the dreams, and the loss we all feel when someone we don't know dies before we are ready to let them go.
I'll never forget this visit, and will listen to his music again as though for the very first time. Listening is easy with eyes closed. Strawberry Fields Forever.
Monday, April 6, 2009
A great breakfast...
For a really good start to the day eat at "Nosh" at the Albert Dock.
6.45 buys you a full breakfast plus coffee or tea and opens early!
The cheapest souvenirs can be found at "Impressions of Liverpool" also at the Albert Dock.
Walk one mile to the Liverpool Ferry and take a boat trip across the Mersey.
Have a great trip.
6.45 buys you a full breakfast plus coffee or tea and opens early!
The cheapest souvenirs can be found at "Impressions of Liverpool" also at the Albert Dock.
Walk one mile to the Liverpool Ferry and take a boat trip across the Mersey.
Have a great trip.
The Cavern - Mathews Street Liverpool.
Strawberry Field. Beaconsfield Road. Take bus 76 or 77.
Mendips (John Lennons House. Menlove Avenue. Take bus 76 or 77.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 500 0r 80A or 82 A.
Forthlin Road - Paul McCartneys Home. 86 or 86 A or 86B.
If you wish to enter John Lennons House or Paul McCartneys home then you have to book a National Trust coach trip. Cost: 16 pounds sterling. Buy your ticket at the Beatles shop on the corner of Mathews Street. Pick up point is at Jurys Hotel at the Alber Dock. The Albert dock is well signposted on most city streets.
For accommodation at the Dairy book through Hostel Bookers who do not charge a booking fee.
The Dairy
39A Kempton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15.
At the end of Kempton Road are all the buses you need to the City Centre. Prices from 17 euro pr. person pr. night.
For a really good trip around Beatles country take the Magical Mystery Tour which you can book at the end of Mathews street at the Beatles shop. Cost: 13.90 pr. Person.
All you need is love!
Mendips (John Lennons House. Menlove Avenue. Take bus 76 or 77.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 500 0r 80A or 82 A.
Forthlin Road - Paul McCartneys Home. 86 or 86 A or 86B.
If you wish to enter John Lennons House or Paul McCartneys home then you have to book a National Trust coach trip. Cost: 16 pounds sterling. Buy your ticket at the Beatles shop on the corner of Mathews Street. Pick up point is at Jurys Hotel at the Alber Dock. The Albert dock is well signposted on most city streets.
For accommodation at the Dairy book through Hostel Bookers who do not charge a booking fee.
The Dairy
39A Kempton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15.
At the end of Kempton Road are all the buses you need to the City Centre. Prices from 17 euro pr. person pr. night.
For a really good trip around Beatles country take the Magical Mystery Tour which you can book at the end of Mathews street at the Beatles shop. Cost: 13.90 pr. Person.
All you need is love!
Beatles on a budget part two...
Strawberry Field. Beaconsfield Road. Take bus 76 or 77.
Mendips (John Lennons House. Menlove Avenue. Take bus 76 or 77.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 500 0r 80A or 82 A.
Forthlin Road - Paul McCartneys Home. 86 or 86 A or 86B.
If you wish to enter John Lennons House or Paul McCartneys home then you have to book a National Trust coach trip. Cost: 16 pounds sterling. Buy your ticket at the Beatles shop on the corner of Mathews Street. Pick up point is at Jurys Hotel at the Alber Dock. The Albert dock is well signposted on most city streets.
For accommodation at the Dairy book through Hostel Bookers who do not charge a booking fee.
The Dairy
39A Kempton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15.
At the end of Kempton Road are all the buses you need to the City Centre. Prices from 17 euro pr. person.
For a really good trip around Beatles country take the Magical Mystery Tour which you can book at the end of Mathews street at the Beatles shop. Cost: 13.90 pr. Person.
All you need is love!
Mendips (John Lennons House. Menlove Avenue. Take bus 76 or 77.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 500 0r 80A or 82 A.
Forthlin Road - Paul McCartneys Home. 86 or 86 A or 86B.
If you wish to enter John Lennons House or Paul McCartneys home then you have to book a National Trust coach trip. Cost: 16 pounds sterling. Buy your ticket at the Beatles shop on the corner of Mathews Street. Pick up point is at Jurys Hotel at the Alber Dock. The Albert dock is well signposted on most city streets.
For accommodation at the Dairy book through Hostel Bookers who do not charge a booking fee.
The Dairy
39A Kempton Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15.
At the end of Kempton Road are all the buses you need to the City Centre. Prices from 17 euro pr. person.
For a really good trip around Beatles country take the Magical Mystery Tour which you can book at the end of Mathews street at the Beatles shop. Cost: 13.90 pr. Person.
All you need is love!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Strawberry Fields Forever!
Fly Ryanair ... I did it for 12.50 euro return .... Stay at the Dairy ... 17 euro pr. night and very cosy.
Buy a Saveaway ticket - you're ticket to ride (3.20 sterling) and you can travel all day on any bus in the "C" area to all of the Beatles attractions.
From John Lennon airport catch an 80 or 86 bus to the "Dairy". Fare is 1.80 sterling.
One settled in walk up the Kempton Road, turn right and catch any bus to Queens Square. All buses go from here.
The Beatles Story (Exhibition). Catch bus 11 or 4/4a to the Albert dock. The Beatles Story is well signposted from there.
Mathew street and the Cavern Quarter - Cavern pub, Cavern Wall of Fame and John Lennon statue. Walk from Queens Square (Five minute walk). Just follow the street signs. (Well signposted).
The Casbah Club. Bus 12 or 13 to Mill Lane.
Penny Lane. 74, 75, 80, 80A, 86, 86A, 86B, 86 C, 107, 76, 77, 207.
Strawberry Field. Bus 76, 77.
Mendips. (John Lennons Home). 76, 77.
To be continued.....
Buy a Saveaway ticket - you're ticket to ride (3.20 sterling) and you can travel all day on any bus in the "C" area to all of the Beatles attractions.
From John Lennon airport catch an 80 or 86 bus to the "Dairy". Fare is 1.80 sterling.
One settled in walk up the Kempton Road, turn right and catch any bus to Queens Square. All buses go from here.
The Beatles Story (Exhibition). Catch bus 11 or 4/4a to the Albert dock. The Beatles Story is well signposted from there.
Mathew street and the Cavern Quarter - Cavern pub, Cavern Wall of Fame and John Lennon statue. Walk from Queens Square (Five minute walk). Just follow the street signs. (Well signposted).
The Casbah Club. Bus 12 or 13 to Mill Lane.
Penny Lane. 74, 75, 80, 80A, 86, 86A, 86B, 86 C, 107, 76, 77, 207.
Strawberry Field. Bus 76, 77.
Mendips. (John Lennons Home). 76, 77.
To be continued.....
No pretty nurses ....
Fly Ryanair ... I did it for 12.50 euro return .... Stay at the Dairy ... 17 euro pr. night and very cosy.
Buy a Saveaway ticket - you're ticket to ride (3.20 sterling) and you can travel all day on any bus in the "C" area to all of the Beatles attractions.
From John Lennon airport catch an 80 or 86 bus to the "Dairy". Fare is 1.80 sterling.
One settled in walk up the Kempton Road, turn right and catch any bus to Queens Square. All buses go from here.
The Beatles Story (Exhibition). Catch bus 11 or 4/4a to the Albert dock. The Beatles Story is well signposted from there.
Mathew street and the Cavern Quarter - Cavern pub, Cavern Wall of Fame and John Lennon statue. Walk from Queens Square (Five minute walk). Just follow the street signs. (Well signposted).
The Casbah Club. Bus 12 or 13 to Mill Lane.
Penny Lane. 74, 75, 80, 80A, 86, 86A, 86B, 86 C, 107, 76, 77, 207.
Strawberry Field. Bus 76, 77.
Mendips. (John Lennons Home). 76, 77.
To be continued.....
Buy a Saveaway ticket - you're ticket to ride (3.20 sterling) and you can travel all day on any bus in the "C" area to all of the Beatles attractions.
From John Lennon airport catch an 80 or 86 bus to the "Dairy". Fare is 1.80 sterling.
One settled in walk up the Kempton Road, turn right and catch any bus to Queens Square. All buses go from here.
The Beatles Story (Exhibition). Catch bus 11 or 4/4a to the Albert dock. The Beatles Story is well signposted from there.
Mathew street and the Cavern Quarter - Cavern pub, Cavern Wall of Fame and John Lennon statue. Walk from Queens Square (Five minute walk). Just follow the street signs. (Well signposted).
The Casbah Club. Bus 12 or 13 to Mill Lane.
Penny Lane. 74, 75, 80, 80A, 86, 86A, 86B, 86 C, 107, 76, 77, 207.
Strawberry Field. Bus 76, 77.
Mendips. (John Lennons Home). 76, 77.
To be continued.....
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