The Scouse Blog

[Gann]

Ahhh, The Adelphi.......Ha ha Ha ha ha Ha Ha ha ........

[oldboots]

Ahhh, The Adelphi.......Ha ha Ha ha ha Ha Ha ha ........

Very handy for the Crown or the Punch and Judy or even McHales...lovely

[Lons]

Said farewell to Lons who promised to be back tomorrow after despatching the family off to Ireland - there must be easier ways to get a pass Lons.

Kids & wife safely on a boat (actually I didn't hang around to see if they had been safely despatched - howeverwhat's a man to do when he's got a beer calling him). Hanging around for a taxi so all going to plan I should be with you guys in 30 - 45 mins - unless I catch the same train as yesterday in which case it may be more like 2 - 3 days.

[gillhalfpint]

I have just loaded a photo I took in the gents loos in the Philly. It was a hurried photo as we had to get the blokes out sio I could get in. Waiting approval, but hope it is ok.

[Millay]

OK, we have a bit of catching up to do, let's take it one step at a time. I think I last left you early Saturday morning. After a good breakfast I walked to the Adelphi to meet Meister where apparently he'd had a few problems. Due to a largely octagenarian clientele blocking up the lifts and a non-functioning room key card he'd spent most of the morning running up and down four flights of stairs. He's done so well that I'm thinking of entering him for the next Empire State Building run, although he was sweating up a bit when I finally met him in the lobby.

We thought we should get in a bit of culture so headed for the dock area, which was frankly a bit disappointing. There's so much work going on it resembles a bit of a building site. Loads of new modern buildings which sit rather uncomfortably alongside the old historic ones. Meister spoilt my fun by refusing to pose for a photo alongside the massive anchor outside the Maritime Museum - I'll have to find something else for the caption competition now

Back towards the centre and we found 'Beatles Street', a bit commercialised but there was a pretty good busker outside the Cavern Club. The wall of the club has the names of those who have played there etched into the bricks. There's also a brass plaque stating that the bricks for disgraced duo Gary Glitter and Jonathan King have been removed - which rather defeats the object. Called into the White Star for a beer and sat in the back room where the Fab Four often spent their time getting away from the crowds and trying to work out what the eff Lennon was writing about.

Coming up to midday now and the cultural part of the day was over, in the words of Father Jack it was time to DRINK !

[Millay]

Our plans fell apart straight away as the Head of Steam was closed, no idea why, perhaps someone had broken in and replaced the air freshners in the gents. We went over the road to Ma Egertons and were soon joined by JC who had bought Paul, a.k.a. the Beer Monster, along. Andy turned up shortly afterwards and rather worryingly went straight on the Stella. On to the Crown next which I think must have improved recently as it seemed quite a decent pub. Four handpumps and Cains at £1.85 a pint. Second pub in and Andy took stick for going on halves, although it was only because the Bombardier ran out as it was being poured and he got it for half price.

Next up was the Vines next to the Adelphi so Meister took the opportunity to get in a quick training run and pick up his jacket. No cask here so it was Manns Chestnut Mild for most.Here we were also joined by the obligatory FP (Fizzy Piss) Merchant Phil/Snowy/Blue Nose Twat, depending on how well you know him. Got a call from Lons and despite Phil trying to mis-direct him to the other Dispensary he found us in the 2010 CAMRA Pub of the Year. Most of the pumps had rotated since we were in there the previous day, ther Titanic Stout had gone but today's offering included Mark's Mild, Bishop's Farewell and Kelham Island's Are you Lonesome Tonight, among others.

Onwards to the Grapes where the brewer for the Liverpool Organic Brewery turned up and was delighted to see most of us on his 24 Carat Gold. A couple of the guys headed for the bookies as we pressed on to Roscoe Head where I had a palate cleansing cider, can't remember the exact name but I think it was Two Trees or something similar. This relentless journey continued in the Fly in The Loaf then further up the raod to the Philharmonic where we stayed for a couple - didn't manage to get the elusive gents photo though.

Things get a little hazy after this point so I'll need to think about it a bit further.

[Millay]

OK, having slept on it think I remember the rest of the evening, although if anyone present believes I've missed out a pub let me know. After leaving the Philly we went on a bit of a wander (as in I wander where the nearest pub is) and ended up in The Pilgrim in the Student Quarter - or the Knowledge Quarter as they quaintly insist on calling it. Not a great pub but they had a few ales on. Heading next towards the station as JC and the Beermonster were aiming for a train. Stopped off for a quick one at Renshaws on the way, just long enough for Andy to get involved in an informal Karaoke session with some drunk Irish bloke. Can't remember what they were singing, and I use that word loosely, but I suspect it was Goodnight Irene, it usually is

Final pub of the day, I think, was the Globe in the middle of the main shopping area. Absolutely packed and our custom wasn't particularly welcome. Took our beers outside and, no doubt, talked bollox over the last pint. I remember Phil leaving and seeing Meister wander off (as in I wander if he knows where he's going) and at some stage I must have got back to my hotel - as that's where I woke up the next morning.

All in all a good day and we certainly got into double figures in both pubs and pints - which is always a sign of a good crawl

[Millay]

Up surprisingly early after the previous day's exertions and after showering and breakfasting I decided to go out for a walk and try to work out which pubs we'd been in. I located The Pilgrim as that was one that we just stumbled across, almost literally, and then must have wandered a bit far, as in I wander where the hell I am. Did a massive loop and ended up near the back of Lime Street Station. Hadn't heard from Meister so gave him a call and he was just getting ready to check out so arranged to meet him outside St Georges Hall. We took in a bit more culture with a look around the art gallery and the chance to vote for the John Moores Painting Prize. Voting cards included some interesting comments ranging from "You can really sense the hesitation in the right hand side of the painting as the story unfolds" to a comment about this painting which just said "Coz it's trippy". I suspect I know where some of Liverpool's public spending cuts will come from.

Took a wander, as in I wander why my legs hurt so much, down Dale St. checking out a few pubs for later and arrived at the docks again around the Three Graces area. Meister was busy taking photos of as many municipal building as he could find whilst I was taking photos of as many pubs as I could find.

Coming up to midday now and Meister needed to get back to Lime Street for his train, the thought of walking back filled me with some dread so I bade him farewell and went for a coffee. Saw a sign for a free Beatles exhibition only to be faced with a ticket office when I got there. I think the free bit was the plethora of Beatles T-Shirts, books, music, keyrings mugs and other assorted tat that they were exhibiting in the obligatory souvenir shop. There were some good views across the Mersey and they provided binoculars so that we could see across to the cheap side. I might take a trip over there, of course I've heard all the grim stories about Birkenhead but it holds no fears for me, I went to Essex once.

[Millay]

Getting a bit behind with all this now, it's Tuesday morning and I haven't even written up Sunday afternoon yet, so here's the abridged version.

Went into the Pig & Whistle a pub standing rather lonely looking in a wasteland being used as a car park, no doubt some developer has their eyes on the place. Two handpumps but neither working. Wanted to find somewhere to watch the football and decided on the Lady of Man for the first half and Ye Hole in Ye Wall (Liverpools oldest pub) for the second half. Quite amusing in here when Everton scored and one bloke jumped up and cheered then looked around and sheepishly apologised to what was clearly a red pub. Did the JDW then the Crown and decided to go 'off piste' and with some trepidation went into Smokie Mo's Saloon Bar. This is where Liverpool's rednecks hang out and it did have the feel of a wild west saloon, with a large picture of the Magnificant 7 above one of the two bars. Music was interesting, they seemed to switch randomly through tracks giving each about one minute each, so we lurched from Come on Eileen to Relax to Blame it on the Boogie with, what I'd be lying if I called it effortless ease. Not one I'll be returning to but an interesting experience. Next up was the Liffey where half of Ireland seemed to be partying. Back to sanity at the Dispensary and I think that was about it for Sunday.

[Millay]

It's just occured to me that you might be wondering where Grailhunter is. He was due to join me on Sunday but unfortunately was unable to do so. I'm therefore flying solo for the rest of the trip. It's a shame really, I'm sure if Grailhunter were here I'd do a lot less bloody walking - and probably wouldn't have gone into Smokie Mo's Saloon