Liverpool

This morning started with a trip to Rhyl to collect my car and then I popped into the bowling club. Despite the sunshine, it was bitterly cold.

I had toyed with the idea of getting some Christmas shopping done and made a spur of the moment decision to go to Liverpool.

The drive to Hooton on the Wirral was straightforward, and from there I hopped on the Merseyrail train to Lime Street. At £1.30 for all day parking and only £5.60 for a return ticket, it’s a bargain compared to the city centre car parks.

Liverpool city centre was heaving and every shop seemed to have queues that snaked endlessly.  I couldn’t face the chaos in John Lewis and ended up putting items back on shelves rather than standing in the seemingly endless queue.

I took in the usual sights—the iconic Three Graces, a quick wander past the Cavern Club, and a stroll along the waterfront. I also had a quick look around Liverpool’s Christmas Market which was next to the station. It's hardly a market - more of a funfair surrounded by overpriced junk food and drink cabins. The flag in the photo hangs solemnly at half-mast, a gesture of respect. It feels jarringly out of place amongst, the cacophony of noise, garish attractions, early Friday evening revelry, and the  funfair which seemed to draw quite the crowd.

The journey home was awful. Roads everywhere seemed to be a nightmare today and the A55 delivered its usual dose of frustration.

Back home now. With hindsight I might have been better going to Prestatyn as the cast from the Rhyl Pantomime turned on the Christmas lights tonight and there are festivities in the town all weekend.