A time away in Liverpool

The mosaic of photos feature:- The view from our apartment looking across to the River Mersey, the Chapter House, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, stained glass windows, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, the Albert Docks at night, tapestry banner of Christ and stained glass windows, Liverpool Roman Catholic Cathedral, the stained glass window in the Lantern Roof, Liverpool R.C.Cathedral, an old tug boat in the Albert Docks, the Tate Liverpool Art Gallery, large photo - buildings in the Albert Docks and Pier Head (iconic architecture, old and new).

Liverpool visit

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"

Floral Bliss #40

During the last few days we've had some misty mornings, some brighter hours followed by quite chilly afternoons as a blanket of cloud has blotted out the sun. Yesterday I called into the library in the park and then walked through the walled garden as the entrance gates were open.  There were roses still in bloom in the rose garden and the colourful display of dahlias and Michaelmas daisies in another area were a delight to see. The volunteer gardeners were busy and it's thanks to them that the walled garden looks beautiful all the year around. 

Today I'm joining Riitta's Floral Bliss linkup.

Thank you Riitta for hosting

Our time in Italy (2) Making gnocchi

Our granddaughter wanted to make some gnocchi with my husband for the last evening meal before she and the rest of the family went home.  It's quite an enjoyable process making the dough combining the mashed potato with the special 00 flour, but the right combination is needed so that the pieces of gnocchi are not heavy. 

The dough is rolled into long strips before being cut into small pieces.

An indentation is made in each piece which means that some of the tomato sauce

fills it.

The pieces of gnocchi do not take long to cook in salted boiling water.  When they rise to the surface they're cooked, are drained and then ready to dish out. Our daughter made two types of tomato sauce, one meatless and one with stewing beef.

This last weekend has been quite an emotional one for many students who are going to university for the first time.  It was also our granddaughter's birthday and as well as celebrating her birthday Mr P and I, together with our daughter,  loaded up our two cars with our granddaughter's belongings and went with her to settle her into her new Halls of Residence in a gated complex of modern apartments near her university.  She's now over two hours away by car, but she did well in her exams and got her first choice of university where she'll be studying for a degree in Psychology.  We're a close family so we shall miss one another, but we're pleased for her that her hard work has brought her to this new phase of her life. We're sure she'll settle in her new surroundings in a different city and hopefully enjoy her studies.   

I'm still having problems with my internet connection.  The connection keeps going on an off and it's been like it for nearly a week.  My internet provider has said that the problem should be completely resolved today. I'm doubtful, but in the meantime I'm writing and posting when I can.  Thank you in advance for your interest, for visiting and for leaving comments.  I'm moderating comments so they won't appear straight away when I can't access Blogger if the connection goes off again.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

As always, wishing you a good day!