Once again Christchurch has been hit by yet another earthquake - this one was a good solid jolt (a 5.4) and centred near Halswell and this time our little house in Hornby has suffered some minor damage. Family and friends are ok but their nerves are fraught and it's a scary time for them all. We were sent the following link by a friend following last week's quake - it's perhaps just little things like this that help bring a smile at such a devastating time. Take a look...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hlfLjz0PUDU
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| Downtown Liverpool when it finally comes to life |
Thurs 16 we catch a doubledecker to Liverpool. We are in the city centre by 9am - the shops are open but streets are all but deserted - a little old lady sitting up a side street is already out with her accordian (we discover her later, still about at midday) - her music bounces off buildings and reaches our cold ears. The morning is grey and the wind biting. We left our hats behind!
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| The Albert Docks is home to a number of cafes, restaurants, gift shops and art galleries |
Coffee beckons and we make our way to the Docks to browse a few shops for morning tea and to wait for the Mersyside Maritime Museum to open at 10am.
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| An amazing model of an oil rig |
Starting on the third floor, we are captured by the International Slavery exhibition and learn about the struggles, the bravery, and the cruelty people endured in the past. We shake our heads and grimace as we view the heavy metal chains, collars and braces that slaves were forced to wear. We also feel sad to read about the modern slavery still happening in the world today.
On the second floor, we view huge models of ships and read the tragic stories of the Titanic, Lusitania, and the Empress - each with a strong link to Liverpool.
Down on the first floor, we view a photography exhibition called Living Apart by Ian Berry (this is my favourite). The stunning black and white images were taken over a 40-year period and graphically captures the story of apartheid in South Africa. This amazing documentry-style photography follows the struggle of a nation and includes the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 and follows through to the collapse of apartheid and Nelson Mandela's historical journey to presidency.
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| St George's Hall, built in 1854 is the first European offering of neoclassical architecture |
Liverpool is home to the Beatles and Beatle-mania is everywhere - you can even take a
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| Taking lunch out of the wind |
Sun 19 we jump on bikes loaned to us by Grant and Maddie and head off on the Wirral Way - a rail trail section from Heswall to West Kirby out on the penisular. The sun comes out for the day and we have a great ride - past fields, under and over bridges. In some parts, the trail is edged heavily with unruly hedgerows, where blackberry and stinging nettle grow with wild abandon. Unfortunately, it is Max's turn to get stung on bare legs.
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| Tides out - walking the wall took half an hour |
At West Kirby, we watch windsurfers on the Marine Lake (an area walled off from the tidal sea that keeps the water in) and then find a sheltered spot to eat our picnic lunch. We take a walk around the wall of the lake, conscious of the tide coming in (it sometimes comes over the top of the path), and then pedal our way home.
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| The craft centre is a relaxing shopping centre |
Mon 20 the sun is out so we are off firstly to Brimstage Hall Craft Centre - a lovely collection of farmyard buildings converted into art, craft, antique and restaurant shops.
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| A long and fragrant rose garden leads to the Lady Lever Art Gallery |
Port Sunlight is our destination and there we discover a delightful village beautifully maintained with an interesting history that most people can relate to. Port Sunlight is where Sunlight Soap was created by William Lever.
William Lever was a man ahead of his time at six he met his future wife at their primary school, she was seven. He took over his father's wholesale grocery business and at 33 contemplated retiring.
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| A number of different architects were used to design the houses in Port Sunlight |
Instead with his brother they created Lever brothers making the worlds first soap with palm oil (Sunlight Soap). From the success of the product he developed a purpose-built town called Port Sunlight with architectually designed workers' houses - each with a well-equipped kitchen and separate bathroom. With the average workers' homes in the early 1900s costing
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| Christ Church, built by Lever for his workers |
William Lever also pioneered the eight hour day with wages above the normal rates plus one week's holiday pay. Employees and their families were provided with healthcare, schools, evening dances and concerts. He also took them on holiday in England and overseas - he had 2600 employees at the time.
After the death of his wife, he built an amazing gallery as a memorial andfilled it with statues, furniture and art work. Being one of the world's first philanthropists many benefited from his wealth.
He was recognised by royalty and world leaders and died in 1925 as Lord Leverhulme. His company became Unilevers in 1988 and continues today with brands such as Surf, Persil, Pears, and of course, the one that started it all, Sunlight Soap.
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| We view an amazing collection of Wedgewood |
We enjoy a visit to the museum and church, a walk around the village, a meander through the magnificant Lady Lever Art Gallery and a picnic lunch by the rose garden.
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| 31 years married! |
It's a great way to spend our 31st wedding anniversary and we top of the day with a meal out in the company of Grant and Maddie.
Heswall has been a great place to catch our breath and we've enjoyed exploring the area on foot, bicycle and by car - thanks to our good friends' generosity.
The next time we blog, we will be in France so until then - au revoir!
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