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Monday 13 February 2017

F for Ferry.

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.



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.

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


***




30 comments:

  1. I remember that song Ferry Cross the Mersey. I think I've heard of that other group - Beatles, you say?

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  2. Ahhrrr Go on! Roger 'you just teasing me ha ha ! It's a miracle I got the post together after
    losing all of the first attempt.
    Di xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've never been there jet so I don't know anything about it but who knows, maybe someday that will change ;-)



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  4. Melody there are direct flightd from Amsterdam to Liverpool John Lennon Airport,
    lots 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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...

      thank you for this info Di.

      Delete
  5. Love ferries! Had to make use of it many times in my teens, because friends lived across the water:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeanette,
      I 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.

      Delete
  6. Interesting write up on your favorite theme!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Uppal,
      I 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.

      Delete
  7. I would love to ride in one of those ferries. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arnoldo,
      you 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.

      Delete
  8. I have been in Liverpool 3 years ago, loved the city !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gattina,
      good 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.

      Delete
  9. Hi nora,
    there 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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have happy memories of my trip to Liverpool many years ago. Fabulous intro to "F".
    My entry for "F" is FISH, with a guest appearance by BIRD.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great pictures of ferries and interesting stories. Wonderful week for everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Participo por primera vez. Una fotos preciosas con la puesta de sol en el rio

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been over to your site and I see too, that you have a beautiful painted boat,
      on a river or in the sea,
      Gracia por tumcomentario.
      Mis mejores Di.
      Equipo de ABCW.

      Delete
  13. http://beijingyanjingbeeratelpaso.blogspot.com/2017/02/short-story-slam-week-62-weekly-prompts.html

    amazing one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kate, good to hear from you ,
      Best wishes,
      Di,
      ABCW team.

      Delete
  14. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Leslie,
      I 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

      Delete
  15. Melody, thanks for the visit, my photograph is the roof of a cathedral
    I have put a link towards your linkup. You can see it on this page
    http://www.raqueljimenezartesania.com/p/iercoles-mudos.html
    Regards
    Raquel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  16. Now 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?
    Hugs to you Di.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susie,
      Good 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.

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    2. Misspelling on my part. The Husband did name his friend after the Liverpool group. :-)

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    3. Hi There Su-sie,
      Yes 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

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  17. 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.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Pat,
      I'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.

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