April 23 2007 Days out, Evensong, Edge Lane

Pride in Liverpool, Prince Charles, Regeneration

I was so proud of Liverpool and Wirral at the weekend.

Had relatives from London staying - Emma (My dad's grandaughter, don't ask it gets complicated) and her husband Richard and their three boys.

Really lovely weekend.

Took Richard and the older two to Anfield on Saturday. RIchard was really taken with how supportive of the team the fans were - none of the bitter criticism he says he hears when he watches Arsenal. Nor was there any sustained foul language - again something he says is different at The Emirates Stadium and the non-stop profanity is something he's less than comfortable with exposing his lads to.

Followed it up with a couple of pints in the Cottage Loaf at Thurstaston with John Thompson, Echo sports editor. Talked football and enjoyed the sunshine. Terrific.

Lynne, Harry and I took Richard, Emma and the three kids to Est Est Est at Heswall for dinner. Again lovely. Place was packed so a big thank you to the manager and the front-of-house waitress who moved heaven and earth to get us a table. They were a credit to the company (And no, I didn't say I was editor of the Echo).

Sunday we went into Liverpool and eight of us took the Duck tour from the Albert Dock.

Fabulous!

Morgan takes to the water

Pouring with rain but tremendous fun and hugely informative. This time well done to tour guide Danielle (gorgeous as well as knowledgeable) and driver John for making it such a success.

Morgan, Harry and the London crew prepare to board the Duck.

The Albert Dock was busyish - and all the better for being so. Lunch at the Tate Cafe - once more excellent and friendly service and the food was super too. Richard dicovered Cain's Formidable Ale - and is now hell-bent on finding outlets in London.

Morgan and I. When they're this age they trust you implicitly. Harry is harder to convince.

Lynne didn't make the Duck - Saturday took it out of her. All in all though a terrfiic weekend and Liverpool did me proud. Great to see Emma and family.

Had tour of the streets earmarked for demolition as part of the Edge LAne project. Tough one with some residents fighting tooth and nail to stay in what they regard as perfectly good homes.

On balance though, I believe the work will be of huge benefit to the community. I walked past a little primary school that looked like it was a prison camp in Soviet Russia.

The scheme would see the school made more accessible, more visible, less prone to anti-social behaviour and as such hopefully much safer. If those fences can come down then all the strife will be worthwhile.

At Anglican athedral on Monday night for Evensong in presence of HRH Prince Charles. Queued in rain because of security then froze inside. Wonder what Charles really feels about events like this?

Choir were good, though.