Manchester, United Kingdom

Because we managed to fit a trip to Vernon’s family area yesterday we had today free to look at Liverpool some more and make a trip to Manchester to see the Coronation Street set. This was a ‘maybe’ to do when we come back down the country but we are pretty sure we would have run out of time then, so it was good to fit it in today via an easy 40 minute train trip. First we got a bus to Southpark train station which is 10 minutes from the Airport and then it was a couple of stops express to Manchester on a comfortable diesel train. At Manchester we got a free bus which dropped us a couple of minutes walk from the Granada studios site. When we googled the information we saw that they had cancelled tours for some time as they have moved to a totally new set, but the old set had reopened for a final 6 mths ending in December when it will be dismantled. The actual site has already been sold.

Coronation street screening in NZ is two years behind, so the shows we are seeing now, until December were filmed here at the old set. Currently in the UK they have been filming at the new set for 6 months. We had a little bit of time before our tour started at 12:15 so we went to the cafe to rest in the shade as it was quite a warm day. In the cabinet something caught my eye which I had to try – a black pudding sausage roll (pictured) it was very good.

Going into the tour you start in the ‘green-room’ area, see their casual kitchen area, dressing rooms, production, makeup, wardrobe (with some key outfits there), inside sets, and then you get to see the streets, shops and homes. You aren’t allowed to take photo’s inside but can download them free from a website; outside you can click away to your hearts content. The actual tour was very good and it was such a strange feeling being there and seeing familiar sets, hearing exerts from actors and clips from shows past, present and future (not telling the spoilers). Walking outside on the cobbles and standing outside the Rovers Return was a buzz that we both got a little thrill out of.

When I was outside in “Gails” garden a pigeon came down off a building and had a right chat to me. It was so close, it was like it was one of Jack Duckworth’s line! We both really enjoyed the excursion, and I am so pleased we fit it in and it didn’t drop off the list. It was about 3pm when we got back to Piccadilly station and we had just missed a train to Liverpool so had a 45 minute wait as the next was delayed – bummer. Not to worry, there is always time to grab a snack and keep those energy levels up and Vern got a very nice pie and coffee special for £2.20 to which he added a vanilla slice and I being more virtuous went to an organic shop which had an amazing selection of sandwiches, wraps and salads and got a lobster and quinoa little salad pottle £2.95, plus a bigger cajun chicken and avocado salad box £3.95 which I shared with Vern.

Back at Liverpool we disembarked at Lime station in the city and saw that unfortunately the weather had clouded over as predicted, although it was not cold. We walked ‘up’ the hill to have a look at the big Anglican Cathedral which was interesting. Photo’s do not do justice to just how big the jolly thing is – it dominates the sky scape up on a small hill (Liverpool is pretty flat mostly). Inside they were having evening song with a choir which showcased the acoustics but you had to stop taking photos while that was on. Whilst I like to look at a few of these grand houses of worship, I find the atmosphere and staff of most of them really off putting. I just feel power, control, pettiness and excess of money and honour for religious hierarchy – not all the other things of love, peace, humility and such. Just saying, just me.

Not far from the Cathedral is a retro mod Catholic church which would have been interesting but we were too late for that so we found a recommended restaurant on ‘Hope Street’ which is an eating district. It was very posh and I chose a three course dinner special for £22 which included a small 500ml carafe of wine, and Vern went a la carte. The entrees were really good – ham terrine with pea mousse, and beef cheek fritters. Mains, Verns steak was ok, but the onion rings were oily and too thin and my ‘slow cooked’ lamb was a bit tough and dry and was not served with a jus. When the waitress came to take our plates she asked how the meal was and I told her there was room for improvement. She got such a shocked look on her face, which made me think that they must not hear that often with all their awards plastered around the place. Seriously she was a bit dumbstruck so I enquired if she wished to have a break down, to which she replied yes. To speed up the story she was most apologetic and said she would tell the chef. I replied, not to worry that it was not so bad we couldn’t eat it (we had finished most) but that it was simply not the standard it should have been.

It wasnt long before she retuned offering free coffees and desserts. I really did not complain to get something, just was giving honest feedback but Vern had a coffee and they knocked the price of the dessert off my package (it was a gooseberry crumble with a tasty semi hard cheese on side). One funny thing was that the wine was too much for me to drink and negotiate myself home so I had one glass and tipped the other into my stainless drink bottle when no one was looking. When the wine waiter came to clear glasses he looked at me and said ‘well done’ as he knew Vern was not drinking. LOL he thought I had polished it off in record time. I did manage to consume it later back at the hotel ….

Tomorrow we head off to Northern Island and an early airport start for a quick 30 minute flight across the water. We have had a wonderful stay in Liverpool, as mentioned in my previous blog it has been an unexpected pleasant surprise and one of connection for both of us. We have been so fortunate to experience it with really great weather which I am sure makes a difference to ones receptiveness and impressions. Also having family from the area immediately maps a connection, which enhances experience. Not withstanding those things I think one of the most appealing things here is the people. They are so cheery, quick to smile and have a joke and banter, and can’t do enough to make you welcome and enjoy your stay. I really connected and felt at home; like a long lost relative sharing these same values and characteristics. I have discovered personally that perhaps I am more Liverpool-English than I realised and that created a sense of belonging to the city/area.
Whilst I wouldn’t say its a got to go place ultimate holiday destination, as far as a quick visit for an English city experience you can be sure of a welcome good time with good services and things to see and do – like 2,500 listed buildings 🙂