Here we are on the pontoon moorings in Salthouse Basin; within easy reach of the major attractions of Liverpool. It is at times like this I do not begrudge paying my BW licence. Free mooring close to the heart of the city - wonderful!
We have been building spotting.
Some of the new tall buildings make up in height what they loose in proportion and style. One of them has been completed with the Portakabin site hut remaining in place on the top: I hope that someone got a rocket for forgetting that one.
Mersey Docks and Harbour Board building has a look that reminds me of The Taj Mahal, it is the Portland stone and proportions and the trees in front. It was completed in 1907 and has Grade 2 listing.
Tower Building was completed in 1910 as offices and has Grade 2 listed building status as Gothic revival. The white glazed upper cladding was produced by the pottery maker, Doulton. The building now has been converted to apartments. Without the Grade 2 listing, they would probably have been called flats.
Martins Bank Headquarters - 1932 grade 2 listed; and the National Provincial Bank 1934 (remember that name?) all along Water Street (formerly named Bank Street). Classic architecture well executed. The City Hall seemed to be a bit small by comparison.
The Mersey Tunnel Headquarters building of the 1930's has Egyptian motifs all around it; it has also Grade 2 listing
Apparently, so we were told by a security guard, the entire gold reserves from London were housed in Martins Bank for safe keeping during the war. He said that scousers have a bit of a reputation for being a bit light fingered. But, not one of the gold bars went missing. AND it took almost twenty years for the gold leaf to wear away from the lead underneath! Everyone here is a comedian.
We walked to have a look at Princess landing stage; we had travelled from there in 1966 and 1969 to see Myra's parents when they lived on the Isle of Man. Two very rough crossings as I remember, but the Island was beautiful and unspoilt, I hope that it has so remained.
