Date: 7 Feb 04 Adventures of Gamblegirl: Liverpool "On the road again Andi and GG are on the road again Just can't wait to get out on the road again" So it's another road trip for GG and her faithful side kick Andi. This time it's Liverpool. The city of The Beatles and well the language of Scruse - but I'll get to Scruse later. Andi drove me up on Friday night - me absolutely knackered after working a 61 hour week and we crashed at a hostel which on a side note - highly recommend The International Inn. Not a bad hostel BUT has the bestest showers I've had since being here. Fantastic pressure - which is somethign that I've really missed over here. The pressure is weak as my mum's tea and if anyone's seen my mum tea they know that it's weak. The next morning we were up early and off to see the wonderful sights of Liverpool. Our hostel was in a damn good location, so it meant the we could walk everywhere. Our first stop was yes - an ABC. I'd been told to go see the Metropolitan Cathedral. It was going to be something that I'd either love or hate. It's wicked looking. For starters doesn't look like a church. It looks more like an upside down funnel. It bucks all Cathedral trends that's for sure. Then we pick up our tix for the Magical Mystery Tour and checked out the Central Library and Record Office and the Town Hall buildings. We saw them all lit up on our way in and well in the daylight they look great but look better lit up. Then we boarded our yellow bus for the Magical Mystery Tour. This was the highlight of my trip to Liverpool (aside from the t-shirt that said buy one and get one free across the breast area which amused both Andi and I). For 2 hours we went and visited Beatles landmarks. It was so cool. Les and Eddie had a comedy routine going on which was just priceless; perfect timing, extreme dry humour and quick thinking. Loved it, loved the bus, loved the tour. Of course I took loads of photo's - what were you expecting? Soon will be downloading a few so will update my photo's page. We ended up at the Cavan Club where The Beatles played 292 times!!! Wow! This place is the bestest place for a gig!!! It's in a basement and quite initmate and it would just rock with the sound quality and how close you could get. I can imagine The Beatles going off on stage. Actually I'd love to see someone like Radiohead play there. That would be amazing. Then we headed down to Albert Dock. From what I can make of it, is that they've tried to make it a riverside location with cafes and stuff. It kinda works but it's like the most windiest place (yes windier then Steph and Jonno) I can recall. Both Andi and I have a solid stance on the earth and we were being blown all over the place. Seriously it was knocking us about like we were feathers. And guees what what we saw once we got to a more calmer areas? A sign telling us of high winds. Yes, um they couldn't have warned us earlier?!?! Then we thought we'd grab something to eat. I wanted 2 - that's 2 - sugar and lemon crepes, Andi a toasted cheese and ham crossiant and a sugar and lemon crepe. Surely that wouldn't be too hard right? Apparently so, because the waiter thought that Andi had said a tuna crossiant (yes because ham and cheese really sounds like tuna - I can see where he misheard that wrong) and somehow couldn't wrap his mind around the 2 crepe order + 1 crepe order = 3 crepes thing. Yes - hmm let's not send these people out to solve world peace okay? Side note: The people in the room next to us are playing this really weird organ rockabilly tune that's got me and Andi in hysterics. Oh man this is funny. Then we did some bargin souvenior shopping ie 2 t-shirts for the price of 1 and then off to The Beatles Story, which was good. A lot better then I thought it would be. Not worth £7 though!!! A thought - what would Liverpool be without The Beatles? Hmmm another great pub debate question raised by this girl. Then it was back to our hostel for a recharge and to watch as it pissed down before heading off in whipping gales of wind and rain to China town for dinner which was yummy and so full is my tummy. On the way there guess who fell on her arse? Hint, it's not Andi. But here's the amazing thing - I saw these two girls in the skimpiest of clothing in the freezing cold out and about. Are they mad? I asked, no says Andi, just from the north. Ahhh wise woman she is. Tomorrow it's off to Chester, but first back to the language of Scruse... Scruse - or to give it's full title, Lobscrouse, is a food rather then a dialect. It's the native dish of the Liverpudlian or the Scrouser. Apparently, Scruse is to Liverpool as to what schnitzel is to Vienna. What is it is, is a simple stew made from the cheapest cuts of meat, usually mutton, boiled with potatoes and onions (so why haven't I seen this on What's Cooking? Sounds great!! Not). The meat is optional, which without is called Blind Scruse. Either kind is eaten with red cabbage picked in vinegar. Yummm - now excuse me have to gag for a moment!!! But over time, it's also known for it's dialect as well. So here are a few words to get by when in Liverpool: * Ullo dur! Greetings. I am pleased to make your accquatance * Wack: Sir * Yis: Yes * Boogaroff: No. Please depart * Iwuddenmind: Yes please * Er bristlers: Her breasts (that's for the boys) * Is eyes like pee-holes in sow: He has small deep-set eyes * It's crackin deflags: The weather is very hot (won't be using that one a lot in old Blighty) * Cogger, left footer: A catholic * Forder bunloat: A catholic priest * Corksucker: An American * Wingy: A person with a one arm * Whur wuz yer when I ad der coppers? It is a pity we did not meet when I was in a position to buy a drink * You game like a pox-doctors clerk: You are somewhat overdressed so try and drop these into a day to day conversation and see how you go. But for sure you'll be able to speak to a Liverpudlian. If you get into trouble - just grunt!!! Gamblegirl