ENGLAND - It's Important To Have Bees In The Loo

Day 2 in Liverpool starts with the two cathedrals - both of which are 20th century structures.  

The Anglican cathedral is the largest in the UK and was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott - he of red phone box fame, in fact there is one of his phone boxes in one of the transepts. Like many cathedrals now, Liverpool makes a bit of extra money through allowing access to special areas, in this case the tower. The views from the top are stunning and the big bonus of course is that because it's fairly new there are lifts! 

The Catholic, Metropolitan Cathedral nearby looks a much more modest affair, however it sits on an enormous crypt designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. As with many religious buildings of modern design the stained glass is particularly bright and impressive.

For lunch today, I tried out the Philharmonic Dining Rooms - a grade 2 listed Victorian pub that has grade 1 listed gents toilets. Whilst the atmosphere was great and the food and drink excellent, I can report readers that - in my opinion - the toilets were a bit of a let down because there were no bees. For a toilet to be special it has to have bees!

Ladies - Victorian porcelain makers often included the image of a bee on urinals to give the men something to aim at and thus reduce mess. Why a bee I hear you ask? Well one of the theories is that our witty but rather uptight Victorians picked up on the Latin for bee which is apis (a - pis .... get it?). Anyway whilst some modern manufacturers do, do something similar they are not very common these days.  Oh and ladies, don't even think of asking if it works - you know us men are just big kids ........

For the afternoon in a street nearby there is a little gem of a place to visit - The Hardmans' House.

 

The National Trust has a couple of prestigious properties in Liverpool, Speke Hall and the Beatles Houses (John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhood homes). However, one that gets overlooked is this. The home and studio of society photographer E C Hardman. The tours have to be prebooked and I was the only one on my tour and it was fascinating. You see the whole house - waiting room, studio, dark rooms, living quarters, cellar and learn a lot about traditional photography.  I really do recommend this place if you are ever up here.

And for those reading from South Foreland - the laminated ticket is alive and well here in Liverpool !!

As I leave Liverpool tomorrow, there was one last thing to do this evening.

The "Ferry Cross The Mersey"