Yeah, yeah, yeah!

The words shouted in my head as soon as I opened the curtains and saw Liverpool’s skyline and an extraordinary ferry crossing the Mersey on day six of our British Isles cruise. Not the traditional ferry, but a multi-coloured type. The Everybody Razzle Dazzle cruiser, a floating artwork by pop artist Sir Peter Blake.

After a rushed breakfast, and eager to investigate, Mr Word Loft and I dashed down the gangway and along the quayside to meet our taxi. Driven by our Fabulous Driver (an email reminding us of our Beatles tour informed us), parked as prearranged, in view of the super famous pop band’s statue. After introductions, we made ourselves comfy and were whisked off to drummer Ringo Starr’s old neighbourhood, regaled with enthralling Beatles trivia along the way.

Strangely, Ringo Starr’s terraced two-up, two-down was bought a few years ago, but remains unoccupied and is in the throes of refurbishment. Decorating materials were visible through the window. I only had a teeny peek inside. Honestly.

Some buildings are painted in patterns typical of 1960s psychedelia. After a mini photoshoot, we went on to the place where George Harrison lived in his younger days. The cul-de-sac is unadopted by the city council, so residents keep it private and chained off. But from the end, the modest red brick house, sporting a blue plaque commemorating his life, is clearly visible.

We were shown locations inspiring records. Penny Lane. Eleanor Rigby’s grave, who unlike the lyrics, hadn’t been a lonely person – she was buried with her husband and other family members. A few headstones along is John McKenzie’s, the muse for Father McKenzie of the same song.

We were told that Paul McCartney and John Lennon most likely sat on the cemetery wall strumming their guitars and composing. It conjured a marvellous image of the past.

Across the road from St Peter’s Church is the hall where they met in 1957, when the band was known as The Quarrymen. Strands of bunting fluttered from the doorway, but the community space was in use, so we could only look from outside.

Next on the itinerary was Strawberry Field, an estate and beautiful park. Eternalised in a number written by John. Strawberry Fields Forever was released in 1967.

It is believed wild strawberries grew on the site before a Victorian mansion was built, which is why the owner probably named it so.

An open-air theatre shaped as a drum stands at one end of the garden. A large, vibrant mural inside portrays the pop stars’ period together.

A path winds in front of it and leads to a woodland with the original Strawberry Field’s gate in situ after thankfully being rescued from a salvage yard. It faces a special corner – a memorial rose garden in memory of Sir George and Lady Judy Martin. The former was the group’s record producer, along with many other famous musicians; his wife was noted for her charity work.

After a hasty browse around the gift shop, I bought a jar of strawberry jam with its cute red gingham lid, a Liverpool Christmas tree ornament and a small print.

John lived at Woolton. We were allowed to go into the garden of the semi-detached property, which is a little more upmarket and bears its blue plaque with pride; here he was brought up from the age of five by his Auntie and Uncle when his mother was killed in a road accident.

Back in the taxi, we were driven to Allerton. I was looking forward to seeing my favourite Beatles’ teenage residence.

‘The proud home of the McCartney family’, the National Trust sign on the wall outside 20 Forthlin Road proclaims. I posed there for photos, reminiscing about the occasion I met Sir Paul and Linda McCartney by chance decades ago.

Our tour finished in Mathew Street. Beatlemania vibes linger everywhere. The original Cavern Club’s frontage remains, but the music venue relocated to the opposite side of the street when an underground station was constructed. Music cheerfully blared out from the modern Cavern, just as it did in the 1960s when the Beatles played there.

We passed the Beatles Museum and The Grapes, a historic pub frequented by them, before spending the afternoon exploring the Royal Albert Dock.

Finally, we ambled along the River Mersey. The ferry seen at first light sailed under the watchful eyes of the two legendary Liver Birds perched on top of the columned Royal Liver Building.

It was a memorable scene as we boarded the cruise ship and wished Liverpool farewell.

Best wishes,
Sue. X.