John, Paul, George and Ringo

Monday 7th July: All 4 of us spent a whole 3 hours transfixed at this most excellent exhibition of 'The Beatles Story'. The story uses all facets of audio visual presentation methods, including an exact replica of the Cavern Club, where we could experience the Beatles scene and music in the 1960s. Photos, videos, music and interview recordings from the actual band members and their personal associations in the 60s were all excellent. We are all very much more knowledgeable of the most influential and successful bands in history. This is a truly amazing exhibition!

Albert Dock

Monday 7th July: After short drive into Liverpool via beautiful Chester, the industrial scenes around the Wirral and the slick Merseyside tunnel, and we arrived at the Albert Dock, in the 2008 European Cultural Centre, Liverpool. Immense civic buildings on the edge of the Mersey estuary demonstrate days-gone-by prosperity from shipping industry at this world heritage shipping port. But the docks have now been revolutionized, with shops, arenas, galleries, museums and many other tourism facilities. We managed to see the 'Beatles Story' and the 'Tate Liverpool' gallery, as well as check out the interesting shops, and watch the yachts en route on a oceanic race. Apparently on the following weekend, they were expecting 70 tall ships also in the dock!

The Jazz Café

Saturday 5th July: We had a day where we visited some friends and family to share meals, both near Swindon (thanks Trevor and Sue) and then in Ruislip (thanks John and Dominique), then finished with a memorable night out at London's premier jazz club, at the Jazz Café in Camden Town. There was a performance by Victor Wooten and his band, which was superb, and was our son's highlight of the trip. There was 2 and a half hours from his band, preceded by another hour from another excellent jazz trio, so we really got a great show, and some delicious food served to our balcony table with very intimate views of the band players and stars. Needless to say, we got photos and autographs afterwards, they are very amenable to their fans at this venue.

Chambord Chateau

Friday 27th June: Chambord Chateau is huge! This was once one of the most important chateaux in France. The woodland around the palace is expansive and a very beautiful setting. Today was a hot summer day, very enjoyable for strolling around the balconies and seeing the royal rooms with art and tapestries on the huge walls. Not too much vertigo was felt from the balconies! We also heard a choir from America sing inside! A nice ice cream and tea afterward under the trees at the café with the view of the chateau was also wonderful.