Where I live in Liverpool, a city built on the edge of The River Mersey, This is the river that the Famous Merseybeat band called Gerry and the Pacemakers sang about The Ferry 'cross the Mersey, 'cos this land's the land I love'.
This was in the in the 'Swinging Sixties' when Liverpool was churning out many talented singers and bands.
Not Forgetting, of course, The Fabulous Beatles.
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| The Royal Daffodil FERRY. |
This a picture of one of the Famous, River Mersey Ferries chugging home; Full of happy day trippers after a Fun packed day out in New Brighton, where the children can enjoy all the 'Fun of the Fair,' eating Frankfurter sausages stuffed into a big squashy, soft bread rolls, with translucent onions layered in a line underneath the sausages then tomato ketchup and mustard slathered over the top.....heaven in a roll....
(picture from iStock)
Hot Dog... .Heaven !
The most famous of the Mersey Ferries was the Royal Iris. It is a twin screw diesel-electric Ferryboat and was built in 1950 and commissioned in 1951. It had a maximum speed of 12 knots and could carry 2296 passengers on normal ferry duties and 1000 for cruising. On board amenities included, a dancefloor and stage, cocktail bar and a fish and chip saloon, hence it was nick named 'the fish and chip boat.In June 1957 the Liverpool's Cavern Club created the Legendary Riverboat Shuffles. I think a guy called Ray McFall was the instigator of these fab cruises.
The Royal Iris was a beautiful Art Deco -style ship and the cruises wre very popular with Jazz Bands such as Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. The Beatles played 4 times with Acker Bilk just as they were on the cusp of fame.
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| the Royal Iris in it's hey day Thanks to Denise Roger Leslie and the team of helpers, without you ABCW would not have lasted for ten years...here's to the next ten years. Best regards to you all from Di. xxx |
I remember that song Ferry Cross the Mersey. I think I've heard of that other group - Beatles, you say?
ReplyDeleteAhhrrr Go on! Roger 'you just teasing me ha ha ! It's a miracle I got the post together after
ReplyDeletelosing all of the first attempt.
Di xx
I've never been there jet so I don't know anything about it but who knows, maybe someday that will change ;-)
ReplyDeleteMelody there are direct flightd from Amsterdam to Liverpool John Lennon Airport,
ReplyDeletelots historical interest attached to the City some wonderful architecture, museums,
art galleries, lots of lovely restaurants, two cathedrals theatres,Safari park etc and more!
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Somewhere around may/june my daughter in law and I will travel to the UK for a couple of days... we don't know yet it we will visit Liverpool but its certainly on my mind...
Deletethank you for this info Di.
Love ferries! Had to make use of it many times in my teens, because friends lived across the water:)
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanette,
DeleteI too used the ferries a lot when I first marries as we moved into a lovely
little apartment between Seacombe and New Brighton so had to get a ferry to work in the city.
I moved back to my roots in Liverpool when my life changed significantly by re-marriage!
I have been here for 30 years since but do take our grandchildren on Ferry rips 'over the water'!
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Interesting write up on your favorite theme!
ReplyDeleteHello Uppal,
DeleteI must cofess to having great pride in my hometown it
such a great place to live from childhood to moving 'across the water' then
back again after being away for in 20 years so I guess Liverpool, FERRIES< Beatles, et al has to be
a favourite theme !
best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
I would love to ride in one of those ferries. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteArnoldo,
Deleteyou would love it, not only the FERRIES but the whole scene, apart from the music scene ther are many great writers, artist, poets et al fom this fine city.
Best wishes and blessings,
DI,
ABCW team.
I have been in Liverpool 3 years ago, loved the city !
ReplyDeleteHi Gattina,
Deletegood to hear from you, I'm delighted that you loved Liverpool,
made me proud !! Or as a true Liverpudlian (Scouser) would say "I'm made up"
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Hi nora,
ReplyDeletethere is a ferry that takes coducted tours around the river and as you embark the song greets
you which could add a little ambience to the trip.I am very proud of Liverpoolit's a wonderful
city and the FERRIES are one of the most cherished part of our heritage.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I have happy memories of my trip to Liverpool many years ago. Fabulous intro to "F".
ReplyDeleteMy entry for "F" is FISH, with a guest appearance by BIRD.
Great pictures of ferries and interesting stories. Wonderful week for everyone!
ReplyDeleteParticipo por primera vez. Una fotos preciosas con la puesta de sol en el rio
ReplyDeleteI've been over to your site and I see too, that you have a beautiful painted boat,
Deleteon a river or in the sea,
Gracia por tumcomentario.
Mis mejores Di.
Equipo de ABCW.
http://beijingyanjingbeeratelpaso.blogspot.com/2017/02/short-story-slam-week-62-weekly-prompts.html
ReplyDeleteamazing one.
Thanks Kate, good to hear from you ,
DeleteBest wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
Okay, that's it! Next time I'm getting a ride on the Mersey! Then going up to Blackpool and the Lake District. You are one lucky lady to have grown up in such a historical place, Di.
ReplyDeleteHi Leslie,
DeleteI hope the next time you visit that I may be more mobile and Ian will have recovered
from his surgery, then maybe, just maybe, we can take you round a bit more and definitely
a trip on the Ferry.It's a blessed nuisance being so incapacitated,,,what's the saying?
'The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak'.
I thank the Lord that I have my PC which, in turn, has enabled me to make so many lovely blogging
friends, a blessing indeed!
According to all those so-called analystical questionnaires we all ascribe to you come out 'tops', as my all time 'Bessie'....Scouse speak for best friend!
I do consider myself fortunate to have been born just after WW2 finished.Then enjoying my teens in this vibrant city in the sixties,in the heady daysThe Beatles, and all the other talented groups from Liverpool.
Love Di xxx
Melody, thanks for the visit, my photograph is the roof of a cathedral
ReplyDeleteI have put a link towards your linkup. You can see it on this page
http://www.raqueljimenezartesania.com/p/iercoles-mudos.html
Regards
Raquel
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteNow whenever I ever think of the Beatles or if I come across mention of Liverpool, I think of you, Di. And, a few days ago the Husband and I saw the first movie the Beatles made. :-) Have I mentioned that the Husband named his friend embedded in his chest Gary Andy Pacemaker?
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Di.
Hi Susie,
DeleteGood to hear from you again.Yes you did tell me about yor husband's Pacemaker but surely you
mean Gerry not Gary as in Gerry and the pacemakers, the much acclaimed Liverpool group that
recorded Ferry 'cross the Mersey ?
It's good to be able to connect and think of people when their home town is mentioned, I think this is now the very ethos of ABCW.
Hugs,
Di,xxxx.
Misspelling on my part. The Husband did name his friend after the Liverpool group. :-)
DeleteHi There Su-sie,
DeleteYes I remember now you saying your husband had named his friend
after Gerry and the Pacemakers.
Nice sunny warmish Spring day here, lightens the heart !
Hugs,
Di xxxx
Those photos of the ferries are just great. I especially like the look of the Royal Iris. I wonder if it still is being used.
ReplyDeleteHello Pat,
DeleteI'm sad to say the Royak Iris (the green and yellow one) Lies in a mucky looking
Dock in Dulwich London. it was purchased by a leisure company who promised to renovate
it and turn it into a floating Restaurant Cruiser for use on rivers.
Personally, I would like to see it chugging up and down the Mersey.
We have a terrific tourist industry here so I'm pretty sure it would be a great
tourist attraction.
It used to sail out to the mouth of the river into the Irish sea and back,
best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.