Saturday morning, Grand National Day in Liverpool. The National Trust minibus picks us up at the Albert Dock for a 20 minute drive into the suburb of Woolton. Past Penny Lane, and there truly is a blue suburban sky this morning, down Menlove Avenue, past the Strawberry Fields children's home, past the spot where Julia was knocked down and killed by a motorist, to arrive at 251, 'Mendips', a beautifully preserved house restored to how it might have looked in 1957 when, at the age of 17, John and Paul met for the first time. Yoko purchased the house and gave it to the National Trust. The 1993 semi detached house is beautifully preserved and for anyone, like me, who grew up in the 1950s, it is spine tingling to see household objects, products and furnishings similar to many of those I grew up with. Smells often evoke memories and this house even smells like one of my childhood homes. The guide is very informative, the stories about John, Aunt Mimi and Uncle George, the songwriting and the memorabilia are fascinating. If you are a Beatles fan, just being there and breathing it in is enough. You can touch things and wander around the house on your own. No photography is allowed inside the house though.
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