Sunday, August 14, 2005
Day 80: Glasgow to Liverpool
August 14: Lots of driving today, but nice scenery and good weather.
Stopped at Gretna Green for a mock wedding (the couple that got engaged on Friday were our bridge and groom) and group photo. Here is where young couples came from England to get married, as the legal age in England was 21 in those days, whereas it was only 16 in Scotland. So couples wanting to get married under the age of 21, would flee England and come to Gretna Green (just over the border) and be married by the local blacksmith.
We then had a few stops before travelling back into England to Liverpool. Had a different bus driver today, as today is our driver, Danny's, day off. It's even illegal for him to be on the coach with us - so he caught a taxi instead.
Did a very interesting Beatles tour around Liverpool in the early afternoon - saw the homes where all four Beatles (John, Paul, Ringo and George) grew up, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, and other interesting sites too. We also got to listen to their songs while driving along. The local guide was very good. She even took us passed the docks and notable buildings in Liverpool.
In the evening, we had a drink and listened to some live music at the Cavern Club (where many bands including the Beatles got their break), followed by a yummy 'farewell' dinner - for those people returning to London, and not continuing onto Ireland.
Saw that a plane crashed in Greece today and killed all 121 people on board... very sad.
Also saw that Australia lost the Bledisloe Cup :-( and the Swans are travelling well in the AFL this season!
Stopped at Gretna Green for a mock wedding (the couple that got engaged on Friday were our bridge and groom) and group photo. Here is where young couples came from England to get married, as the legal age in England was 21 in those days, whereas it was only 16 in Scotland. So couples wanting to get married under the age of 21, would flee England and come to Gretna Green (just over the border) and be married by the local blacksmith.
We then had a few stops before travelling back into England to Liverpool. Had a different bus driver today, as today is our driver, Danny's, day off. It's even illegal for him to be on the coach with us - so he caught a taxi instead.
Did a very interesting Beatles tour around Liverpool in the early afternoon - saw the homes where all four Beatles (John, Paul, Ringo and George) grew up, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, and other interesting sites too. We also got to listen to their songs while driving along. The local guide was very good. She even took us passed the docks and notable buildings in Liverpool.
In the evening, we had a drink and listened to some live music at the Cavern Club (where many bands including the Beatles got their break), followed by a yummy 'farewell' dinner - for those people returning to London, and not continuing onto Ireland.
Saw that a plane crashed in Greece today and killed all 121 people on board... very sad.
Also saw that Australia lost the Bledisloe Cup :-( and the Swans are travelling well in the AFL this season!
# posted by mishij @ 2:18 PM 
