Liverpool hosted  the start of The Three Festivals Tall Ships Regatta over the spring bank holiday weekend. Ships were moored at the Albert Dock and cruise ferry terminal.
Following their departure from Liverpool the ships are also scheduled to visit Dublin and Bordeaux. The wines of Bordeaux were featured in a parallel event running at the Pier Head. This was fifth visit to Liverpool of the tall ships having previously graced this most famous of waterfronts in 1984, 1992, 2008 and 2012. This years visit formed part of the cities celebrations of the ten year anniversary  since it was European Capital of Culture.
Although spectacular by daylight the docks and ships took on a magical quality as the sun began to set over the city.
The holographic “ghost ship” was a excellent end to a superb trip to the Liverpool waterfront.
Ludlow is a small market town of 11,000 inhabitants on the southern border of the county of Shropshire. Although in England, it lies close to the Welsh border and its proximity to Wales has contributed much to the towns past history.
Things to do
Take a walk. The town is an absolute gem with a photo opportunity on every corner. The architecture is superb and it makes it a lovely place to simply wander around. The town is not very big but it packs an awful lot in to a small space.
Ludlow Castle. Built in the later half of the 11th century, the castle occupies a defensive position overlooking  the River Teme. The castle is still in use today as a wedding venue and is home to the annual Ludlow Food and Drink festival held each September.
Saint Laurence’s Church. Building of a church here first began in 1199 and it is now the largest parish church in Shropshire. Â The church is packed with history and significant features, its earliest windows date back to 1320 and some of the mercy seats date from the early 1400s.
Visits to the church are well supported by some very welcoming and informative guides.
Visit one of the many art galleries. Ludlow is home to many art galleries and antique shops and a visit to two or three isa good way to spend an hour or so. Walking between them also gives you a good opportunity to see the town.
Dinham Bridge and The River Teme.Â
The walk down from the castle to the river can be done by means of a footpath that runs from the back of the castle or along the road. Either way it is well worth the short walk as the bridge and river are a sheer delight.
Food and Craft Markets. As well as an excellent selection of independent retailers in the town there are frequent markets held mainly in Castle Square. In addition The Ludlow Food Festival is held annually in the grounds of the castle. Dates for 2018 are September 7/8/9th. The castle also hosts the Medieval Christmas Fayre with will be on November 24th and 25th in 2018.
Ludlow Brewing Company. Located in an old railway shed close to Ludlow station. Tours are held each afternoon, times vary. There is a small charge but it does include samples of their range of beers and a free pint.
A great day out in such a lovely town. May have to have a return visit for Septembers food festival.
On a recent visit to Melbourne I was struck by the Block and Royal Arcades in the Central Business District and how similar they were to the arcades found in Leeds. Both cities built their arcades in late nineteenth century with the Royal Arcade in Melbourne the oldest dating back to 1870, but it seems unlikely one influenced the other. Perhaps arcade building was simply very fashionable in late Victorian times. The Burlington Arcade in London’s Piccadilly is certainly much older, dating back to 1819. What is clear is that these shopping arcades were the shopping centres of their day and are a must see on a visit to the city.
Block Arcade MelbourneRoyal Arcade Melbourne
In Leeds there are three surviving arcades from the Victorian period. Although they had lost much of their splendour by the  mid twentieth century, programmes of restoration have brought them back to life. They are home to an eclectic mix of retail units and cafes and include an excellent range of independent retailers.
THORNTON’S ARCADE
Thornton’s Arcade was the first to built in the city. Commissioned by Charles Thornton and designed by George Smith it opened in 1878 and connected Briggate with Lands Lane. It provided a pleasant covered walkway for shoppers, replacing the alley and yard that existed beforehand.
The clock in Thornton’s Arcade is based on Walter Scotts novel Ivanhoe and features several of the characters including Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. The clock itself was made by Potts and Sons who were local clockmakers of the day. The characters were carved by a John Appleyard.
QUEEN’S ARCADE
Running parallel to Thornton’s Arcade, Queen’s was designed by Edward Clarke and opened in 1889. As they are today it looks the most modern, partly because it has been repainted in pastel colours, Â it has a glass roof and this gives it a light and airy aspect.
COUNTY ARCADE
The most elaborate of the Victorian arcades and restored in the early 1990s to the wonder that you see today. Designed by Frank Matcham, who was actually a theatre designer, it opened in 1900 . It is on the opposite side of Briggate and leads to Vicar Lane and the nearby Leeds Market.
Highly decorated with intricate ironwork, marble and fine mosaics it was fully restored as part of the Victoria Quarter development in the early 1990s.
Cross Arcade is very short and runs from the middle of County Arcade out to Queen Victoria Street which in the original design was a traditional shopping street.
In the development of The Victoria Quarter Queen Victoria Street became a modern arcade with the construction of an ornate stained glass roof.
It makes an interesting contrast to its Victorian neighbour and the restoration of the shop fronts is no less ornate.
The Victoria Quarter has become a high end shopping destination, it is a lovely mix of the old and the new and great place to wander around.
