We arrived in Liverpool as it was getting dark and checked into our hotel for the night. Seeing as I think this was Dad's ultimate dream place, we immediately headed out to find the Beatles store and the Cavern Club. Leaving him to it when Mum and I got sidetracked by a few clothing stores, we browsed before finding Dad in awe and wanting to buy lots from the Beatle's store. I have to admit it was pretty cool and I did end up buying a shirt (it didn't say Beatles though so wasn't tacky!). After a lovely Italian meal, we headed back to the hotel and out of the very low temperatures. Woke early on New Year's Eve and after brekky, immediately headed into the tourist information centre so we could buy our tickets for the Beatles' "Magical Mystery" tour. As we had nearly 2 hours till this started, we headed down and went to the Beatles' museum which really was fantastic. Starting with the boys growing up, you progressed through their careers as a band and solo, with real footage, pictures and even reconstructions of places like the Cavern Club. Even if you're not a huge Beatles fan, I would really recommend this as it was a great snapshot of the time and so well done. We then boarded the magical mystery tour, taken around on this crazy bus to see where John, Paul, George and Ringo grew up. And also seeing places mentioned in their songs (Penny Lane, Strawberry fields). I really enjoyed this tour, not because of the places you got to see, but more for the great stories the guide told us. And what was so interesting to see was just how lower and middle class the boys were in terms of the houses they grew up in and the neighbourhoods they lived in, and how places like Penny Lane wouldn't be remembered without there being a song about them. That is what interested me the most. The tour ended at the cavern club, the place where they were made famous, and it was interesting seeing just how small a place it was. I can imagine the atmosphere would have been fantastic. On the wall outside, was a list of all the acts who had played there, also really interesting. By that time it was about 3pm so Mum and I decided to let Dad go wander the docks and take ourselves off to do some shopping. I was really looking forward to getting Mum in some of the clothing stores here so see her reactions to the fashions, but unfortunately, due to it being New Years Eve, the stores were all closed by 4pm. So that put a stop to that - but not before we'd seen some hideous fashions and shoes, and completely impractical for the climate over here! We went out for dinner to a pub, had a great meal and then due to bad weather, and general tiredness, went back and watched the new year in on the TV in the hotel. Unfortunately, the bad weather meant that fireworks etc had been cancelled, not only in Liverpool, but also in Edinburgh for the official Hogmany celebrations which was disappointing. All in all, I loved my time in Liverpool and would certainly go back to experience more of the Beatles nostalgia, and also to explore more of the city.