Now and again we've driven to Liverpool.
The famous liver bird image is everywhere and we were greeted by this big advertising structure as we drove into the city. The liver bird is the symbol of the city of Liverpool and it represents a cormorant with a branch of laver seaweed in its beak.
Although there are several statues of the liver bird in the city, the most famous ones are on the Royal Liver Building at Liverpool's Pier Head overlooking the Mersey River, one on each tower, called Bertie and Bella. They're easy to spot as they dominate the skyline and it's the only thing I remember about the Liverpool waterfront when I was brought here as a child by an aunt and uncle when I used to spend Summer holidays with them. Bertie looks over the city and Bella looks over the sea.
The Royal Liver Building opened in 1911 and is home to the Royal Liver Assurance group set up to provide assistance to those who have lost a wage-earning relative. It's one of the three important buildings on the waterfront which is part of UNESCO's World Heritage Maritime Mercantile site. The others are the Cunard Building, the Port of Liverpool Building and the trio are known as the Three Graces.
More liver birds and maritime symbols can be seen on this ironwork gate in one of the entrances to the main shopping centre, Liverpool One.
We drove along the Strand by the waterfront where there are many amazing buildings, old and new.
On the right is the red and white building, Albion House, which was the headquarters of the White Star Line (of Titanic fame) and is now an hotel. The grey building opposite situated on Pier Head houses offices, the ventilation tower and control station for the Queensway Mersey River Tunnel.
one of the tall ship trading vessels in Canning Dock
the rhombus-shaped building of RIBA, Royal Institute of British Architects
The Port of Liverpool Building (Edwardian Baroque- style architecture)
on the right
The Cunard Building (Italianate Renaissance/Greek-style architecture)
with the Liver Building in the distance
more of the docks at Pier Head
Our granddaughter went with a friend to see the city centre lit up for Christmas and she sent us some photos.
There were carols singers outside St George's Hall.
Liverpool One shopping arcade
down by the Royal Albert Dock
At the end of the walk hot chocolate must have been very welcome.
Here in Sheffield we're expecting snow sometime this weekend.
Second Sunday of Advent, 9th December 2018
Tomorrow, 16th December 2018, is the Third Sunday of Advent. In the church calendar it's called Gaudete Sunday so the theme is joy/rejoice.
Gaudete in Domino semper "Rejoice in the Lord Always"