Manchester England, England

OK, so it’s not Laos. But Manchester is a second home for us. As a kickoff to our goodwill world tour, we have Come Together to spend a week in England celebrating the impending nuptials of Jamie Lyons, my first cousin Judy’s son. Eerie sense of déjà vu. My world tour of 1977-78 commenced by attending Judy’s own wedding. History repeats. But this time Lori and I, The Two of Us, are accompanied by my two sisters, Maureen and Polyethylene Pam, one out of two spouses, and their combined three children. As well as our two children, Trevor and his girl friend Juli who have flown in from Israel and Andrew with his fiancé [insert mazel tovs here] Jessica, Flying in tomorrow to help with the celebrations.

We have been in regular communications with our family across the sea over the decades and feel blessed to be able to share significant life moments together. Despite the long flight, I Feel Fine.

The action starts up in earnest tomorrow. With a day to kill, Yesterday Judy came up with a brilliant idea to visit Liverpool today. All of us being experienced Day Trippers were ready to go. Pleased to say that Uber works in Manchester and we were heading down the M62 by 10:30AM. To think that England’s one time busiest port and grimiest industrial city has been eternally transformed as a result of two guitarists, a left handed bass player, and a drummer whose ultimate ambition in 1962 was to own a string of beauty salons is harder to comprehend than Einstein’s E=MC2. But reality is always relative. There is one industry in Liverpool today and it is The Beatles.

Sign up, Sign up for the Mystery Tour

Two and a half hours of all Beatles all the time. Liverpool is a large city and when driving through it, hearing the stories of the virtually inexplicable forces that combined to unite the 20th century’s pre-eminent quartet is even more astounding. The physical distances separating the four would not lead one to believe the likelihood of interaction. Circumstance placed three of the Beatles within five minutes walk of each other; school united three but not the same three; musical interests combined three, but again, a different combination. They truly came from Here, There, and Everywhere.

To call their origins humble would be an overstatement. Misery would be more apt. We anticipate better housing in Laos.

Ringo’s House [The pink one on the right]
George’s [4 kids, 2 parents, two bedrooms
John lived with Aunt Mimi and eventuallyCynthia
Chez Paul

But there is something Magical, if I may, in seeing with one’s own eyes, the doors that the legends walked through before legend was on their agenda. In my life I never expected to be able to visualize what I did today. Because of good fortune however, there we were. And the weather was very cooperative. A bit of cloud, some very light drizzle, but no Rain to speak of. At one point I turned to Lori and said “Here Comes the Sun, Dig It?”

Penny Lane

There it was. The bank where the banker needed a trim.

The Shelter in the Middle of the Roundabout [no nurse, no poppies, no tray].

The Barber Shop was there too; didn’t see a Fire Station, no clanging bells at opportune moments. But I can say that In my Life I was on Penny Lane.

Strawberry Fields

 

Were I ever to create a Sunday New York Times Crossword puzzle, it’s theme would be Beatle songs. One clue would be NY Mets Darryl plays eternally.

The red gate is an entrance to a park and a Children’s Care Home owned by the Salvation Army. John used to hang out in the park, climb trees, and escape to his own private Liverpool.

I’ve got a Feeling that this is just the start of a Long, Long, Long, Long and Winding Road. But I would gladly do this Any Time at All. It was truly Something, according to This Boy.

The End

 

7 Comments
  • Cookieman
    Posted at 00:21h, 18 December Reply

    I'm down. Thanks for leaving me to carry that weight until you get back. Actually from me to you, I feel fine. I have to admit it's getting better all the time. I had a little help from my friends, and now baby, I'm a rich man. I want to tell you what goes on in my life, but it's always a he said, she said issue, so just think for yourself, because tomorrow never knows.

  • michael woloz
    Posted at 00:59h, 18 December Reply

    Well played Buffalo Bruce. Did you need a permit to operate all those song references?

  • Unknown
    Posted at 03:16h, 18 December Reply

    If I could, I'd take a Yellow Submarine across the pond to live this with you. Imagine. Knowing you and I and your Mad hatter pants and your Beautiful wife, we'd see Lucy….

  • Julian
    Posted at 03:31h, 18 December Reply

    HE-E-E-LP

  • Julian
    Posted at 03:31h, 18 December Reply

    HE-E-E-LP

  • tina
    Posted at 12:04h, 18 December Reply

    As always, loving your posts
    Have an amazing trip
    t

  • Unknown
    Posted at 01:15h, 24 December Reply

    Lovely times of Old Memories and New Meetings. Just Love – Ron Siegel

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