The Island of Anglesey (Wales’s largest) sits in North Wales and Holyhead (the largest town on the island) serves as a very busy ferry port between Britain and Ireland as well as todays cruise port. The Island of Anglesey has much more history than Roman garrisons, Norman strongholds, medieval forts or fanciful follies of the Victorian era. Caernarfon Castle resides here and is the site where Edward II was born in 1284 and was given the honorary title of Prince of Wales. This title, to this day, is conferred on the eldest son of the reigning British monarch. The investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales took place here in 1969. And, Will and Kate spent the first years of their marriage on this island enjoying peace and freedom that I bet they long for these days!

Not far away, dominating the scenery of northern Wales, is Snowdonia National Park – named for the 3,560′ Snowdon, the highest point in Wales. According to legend, this rugged peak is watched over by the spirit of King Arthur while his Knights of the Round Table lie sleeping underneath the rocky slopes!

Also sitting below Snowdon in Snowdonia NP is the very interesting village of Portmeirion. A Welsh architect, Sir Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis, was inspired by a trip to Portofino, Italy and wanted to prove that development could be accomplished without ruining the scenery. He set about building this village from 1925 to 1975, completing it on his 90th birthday. Today it contains primarily shops, cafes and lodgings, including a hotel which sits at the edge of the sea. The village is a bit Disneylandesque but the scenery around is undisturbed and beautiful.

Some may recognize the name of the village as a china. One of the daughters of the builder was an artist and interested in experimenting with clays to make china. She developed the Portmeirion china which is still produced today, primarily utilizing insects and flowers in the designs. Other descendants rebuilt and manage a castle that was originally on the property. One can also stay here – or just visit the restaurant. If you eat here, be sure to ask for the cheesecake. It is the BEST ever had;-)

The Welsh are known for long words with few vowels – but, this lovely little village visited briefly, takes the cake. Just try to say it!

The Royal history of Wales was left behind for more current, fun, musical history of the 60’s and 70’s in Liverpool. Here everything is THE BEATLES! The best way to get all ‘the skinny’ is to engage a “Fab 4 Taxi Tour”. They will take you everywhere, tell you all the stories and play lots of Beatles music while doing it. We are off.

First childhood home seen was that of Ringo’s. It was just down a little lane from The Empress, where his mother worked as a waitress. He moved here before his teen years when his mother married his stepfather – the man who encouraged him to play the drums and allowed Ringo and his friends to practice in their tiny front room.

The homes where John and Paul grew up are now owned by the National Trust, who is preserving and maintaining the sites. Therefore, it is possible to actually go into these premises and is worth the extra fees to see where so much music history developed.

John lived most of his young years with his aunt in property that backed up to Strawberry Field. She was not crazy about this music stuff and told him he needed to get a job and be more serious. Because of this, the only place he could play his guitar was on the tiny front porch. This was probably ok as that’s where the acoustics were the best;-) The home was sold by his aunt after John bought her a new place to live. Fortunately the new owners were huge Beatles fans, so they maintained much of the integrity of the house until taken over by the National Trust.

John and Cynthia married just as the Beatles were ‘making it’. This was much against the advice of their manager, who thought it would ruin John’s career if he was not single and available to all the screaming teenage girls. Therefore, he told the happy couple there could be no cameras (except Cynthia’s) and the whole affair had to be very private. Unfortunately, Cynthia forgot her camera but she was an artist and drew the only record of their wedding. One can drive by their wedding site.

Paul’s home growing up was in an area not too far from John. It, too, was quite small – but unlike John’s aunt, Paul’s father (who was a musician) encouraged Paul’s music. Therefore, ‘the boys’ spent many hours at Paul’s writing and playing. Many of the loved Beatle’s songs were written, composed and recorded in the living room here.

Unfortunately, George’s house (like Ringo’s) is privately owned. So, no visits there but a look at the outside.

At one point, their manager told them to write about what they knew – their lives, experiences and memories. Paul used to ride the bus from his home to school every morning and it would stop at a spot along Penny Lane for a few minutes while the bus drivers changed. Perhaps Paul looked out his bus window and observed the shelter at the roundabout with a woman selling poppies – or the barber shop just beyond the roundabout that had photographs of every head the barber had the pleasure to know – as well as the bank on the corner with the banker who never wore a raincoat (Mac) even in the pouring rain. Very fun to see the inspiration.

And then there is Eleanor Rigby. John and Paul used to sit on the cemetery wall close to their homes and play their instruments. Perhaps they drew a little inspiration here – –

As said before, John grew up in his Aunt’s house adjacent to Strawberry Field. A private school was located there and when John was young he would jump over their fence and go play with the kids at the school. This place provided very fond memories for him. Unfortunately, the school ceased to exist and the building deteriorated. Yoko One provided money to help restore the school to be run by the Salvation Army, as well as other funds for the park, knowing how much it meant to John.

Then there are the clubs where The Beatles came to play as they were making it BIG. When they came back to Liverpool from a successful run in Germany, the first place they played was the Casbah Club. If you are in Liverpool and making the circuit, you could skip this one. A much better choice for a visit is the Cavern Club, where they played many times. It is still in operation with continual music throughout the day.

As said above, Yoko Ono has been back to Liverpool and supported areas of meaning for John. Paul has done the same. He and John first met when they were attending adjacent art and music schools. As the years passed, these schools diminished and the buildings deteriorated. Paul stepped in, renovated the building and created a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. He comes back every year to give the diplomas to the graduates. There is a wonderful sculpture outside the buildings depicting different artist’s instruments with name plaques. All makes for a wonderful sight.

There are many other sights to see in Liverpool – which may or may not be associated with The Beatles. There are a couple of fabulous cathedrals, one of which both John and Paul tried out to be a part of the choir. Paul made it – John did not;-(

Time with The Beatle’s is up and we must leave our friends behind. It has been a very fun day and would highly recommend to any music fan;-)

We’ll leave you with these messages scattered around Strawberry Field – –

 

 There is nothing else to say.

E & G – sending peace to all