Visiting family in UK!

I have just returned to New Zealand from the UK after a long overdue holiday to see my family in Liverpool. So after five years, I finally got to see my sisters and other relatives again. The highlight of the trip was sailing down the River Mersey along the Liverpool coastline on board the Queen Mary 2. As we passed Crosby beach, my sister was standing on top of a sand-dune waving a long white scarf while I stood on the deck of the huge Cunard ocean liner waving a long red scarf. Just saying hello to each other! Once past Crosby and Waterloo beaches, the ship docked at Liverpool’s Pier Head right next to the famous symbol of that city – the Royal Liver Building with the two mythical Liver Birds on top. (See the photo at the end of this blog).

Quite a few items were crossed off my Bucket List in the last few weeks. I finally got to visit the Imperial War Museum in London where I remembered family members who fought in the trenches of World War 1, and those who died during the Liverpool Blitzes of World War 2. Another lifelong goal crossed off the list was sailing through the Scottish Hebrides, seeing all those islands mentioned in the Scottish folk songs that I so enjoyed singing. Songs such as The Skye Boat Song, Westering Home and The Mingulay Boat Song. Also on my list was a visit to the famous Red Rose Cafe (now called Schippershuis) in the Netherlands where I met up with family living over there and had a couple of drinks at its famous bar.

So for me, it’s been a very fruitful and fulfilling last few months. There are still some items left on my Bucket List, but they can (hopefully) wait. I’m now settled back at home in the Antipodes and it’s time to return to my writing. I hope to see Liverpool again one day but will probably arrive there in less lavish style as this year’s unforgettable experience!