One of a few out of town strolling I did while in the UK. A friend did ask what would I do in Liverpool. I said visiting Anfield and Beatles Museum. Fair enough!
So, I initially had no intention to write this travelling story to Liverpool. But, as I am stuck with writing journal articles, here I am trying to distract myself with other writing kinds of stuff.
I did not travel much while in the UK. Well, my tight budget simply didn't allow it. I was merely strolling the city for sure, visiting several lovely museums and old graveyards/parks. (Now considering write some posts about the visits 😆😆😆). But, even before I arrived in the UK, I already planned to visit Liverpool. No matter the cost!
Travelling in the UK is often more expensive than flying aborad to mainland Europe! *sigh. So, other than I badly wanted it, I needed another reason. A finished dissertation! So, this travelling was a present for me for having finished and submitted the 10,000 words dissertation!
On August 17, 2020, which was 5 days after the deadline of the dissertation submission, I purchased a return same-day ticket to Liverpool. It was £46 in total, the cheapest of the whole week. I picked the earliest train because it was the cheapest of course. And, I got a return in the evening so that I would manage to stroll the city during the day. I had also booked entry tickets to Anfield and The Beatles Museum. Just perfect.
The ticket to Anfield tour was £16 (for the stadium and exhibition tour) and The Beatles Museum entry cost £12.5). (I genuinely hate doing these spending details, just remind me of the money I threw away hahaha But, well, it was a celebration just for me!)
A flatmate, who just returned to the student accommodation after several months going home due to the Covid-19 situation, Erik (sorry mate I can't spell your last name😅) did ask why I would ever wish to visit Liverpool. Well, lad, for Anfield and the Beatles for sure! Fair enough, eh?
So, on the eve of the D-Day, I couldn't sleep. Just like a little kid couldn't sleep for the next day school trip! Well, I partly couldn't sleep because I had to wake up early to catch up on the 5.27 am train. At around 1 am, I was still awake and decided to prepare breakfast or perhaps lunch so that I did not need to spend extra pounds on food (egg fried rice it was!). Got to sleep barely two hours, I was already at the bus stop at 4 am. I recalled Google said it took around 30 minutes to get to the London Euston station from my place. But, well, for me, it was better to arrive early than to miss the train. £46 remember??!!
Left: Euston was too quiet during the early hours; Right: Lime Street was alright for me
It was summer, that was how I prepared. Turned out, Liverpool that day was a few Celcius degrees lower than London. So a bit chilly, windy and drizzling. Not a good day to take some photographs indeed, but yeah I got there already.
The next stop is Anfield. Well, frankly, I stupidly booked almost the same hours for Anfield and the Beatles Museum. I thought I should let one go and it was likely the museum, though I did hope it was alright to arrive after the booked time (I later found it was okay! Yasss!). How do I get to Anfield from the Lime Street station? I was thinking of hopping on to one of the buses. I decided not to. The map said it was around 2 kilos, so I'd taken the stroll instead. Just consider this as an exercise.
Left: well locals knew that tourist might likely be looking for signs heading to Anfield. Right: A view from a hill I passed, didn't recall the name.
The suburb view (I think), Anfield is just a few minutes away behind these buildings.
My impression of Liverpool was it was very quiet. The Covid-19 situation made it worse, I think. Perhaps, if there is no LFC or the famous Beatles, this city will unlikely interesting enough. (sorry lad!)
The stadium tour would start at 10:30 am. I arrived too early at the stadium complex, so I wandered around and snacking 😬. Some people have also arrived for the tour I supposed. As I did, they might have taken the opp after the lockdown was lifted.
My kind of walk of fame
I followed the entire tour. The guide was minimised to limit contacts, masks were required, visitors were given a small device containing the recorded explanations of the stadium.
The Kop and the pitch
I once planned to attend at least one game at Anfield. It was impossible (yes, thanks to Covid!). Keep wondering about the noise, the atmosphere, and the echoing chant during a game. Well, second visit is still possible, innit? (I do hope so one day!)
The most valuable momento: earphone with the liver bird!
One round of the stadium tour lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. I then proceeded to the trophy exhibition. This is a classic story. I was not quite a big fan of football, I don't play it anyhow. But, it was the 2005 Istanbul Champion league final that changed everything. Been a fan since then Thus, this part of the story displayed in the trophy exhibition was the most attractive for me.
The starfish and the jinx of an early celebration
I was content with this trip. Might do it again next time visiting/staying in the UK, probably add a live game and an evening pub stop. Need to feel the vibe. I think I'll keep the Beatles story for another post. Ah! I used a song as a title already. Will keep it that way 😆.
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