July 31: Liverpool - Strawberry Fields Forever

In the town where I was born, lived a man who went to sea, and I'd watch him sail in thoughts beyond the green allotment fields. George the sailor as he was always known, and known will always be, was a sailor to those who always were and always went to dream, in our street, in our town, sailing close to mermaid songs that try to drag you down. George was a sailor who went to sea when he was young, he was young so went to see, and when I was young I could see that the sea had made him old, but was too young to see that he'd been broken by the sea. But though I was young I could still see that all he could see was the sea that he was sailing far, far beyond the waking dreams forever in the sleeping town that had no moonlit quay only stars and mermaids that sung above the green allotment fields.

Liverpool is one of the most famous cities in the world and is currently preening itself in anticipation of being unveiled as the European City of Culture for 2008. Streets are busy being spruced up to host such a grand event. Roads are being re-routed. Hotels are being upgraded. There is much development buzzing about the city at present. There's a sense of preparation in the air around the iconic Liver Bird Building down at the Pier Head, along with the incessant sound of seagulls. But Liverpool deserves its acolade. It's a city that has not been slow in sharing its own contribution over the years to areas as diverse as music, sport, architecture, entertainment, maritime and immigration, despite the city enduring many economic and political set-backs in its colourful history.

Liverpool will always be synonymous to many people for the Beatles. This is the home of the Fab Four. For those who idolise the group then this would be a Mecca for them. A pilgrimage here would reap many smiles. In the city centre, clearly marked, is Mathew Street, home to the Cavern Club "where it all began". There are numerous shops and souvenir haunts to wallow in. Tours are easy to find. Magical mystery tours can be taken to Strawberry Fields, to Penny Lane, to the Eleanor Rigby Statue, to the John Lennon Statue and to the childhood homes of Lennon and Paul McCartney. There's even a yellow submarine down at Albert Docks, where the official Beatles Story can be told. You get the impression that the city is so proud of the group and the four local lads 'who shook the world'. Even the airport has been renamed Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Local pride stands tall.

A short bus ride out of the city centre is Anfield, home of Liverpool Football Club and the famous singing Kop End. At the Anfield Stadium is a museum of the club's history. Old shirts, trophies, scarves, medals and memorabilia are on display. During my visit there they were cleaning the European Cup... the one they won for the fifth time and got to keep outright in 2005. It's a giant trophy. Huge. It winked at me as I strayed too close to it. A security guard soon approached. I enquired about the chance of me getting my hands on the trophy, and was told in no uncertain terms that only official hands were insured to hold it. But after some lengthy pleading, and making sure no other officials were looking, I was rewarded with being able to hold the coverted trophy for two sweet seconds. All those great footballers who will never got close enough to touch the thing... and there I was holding it - a boyhood dream come true.

At Albert Docks I am sitting with my mother having lunch. The waters inside this famous Dockyard are tranquil and flat. Reflections are easy to find in the sky. We are both commenting on how much we have enjoyed our time on Merseyside. We have both seen the things we wanted to see here in Liverpool and have been surprised with how much more this city has to offer - its Cathedrals, its sense of local pride, its warmth and its willingness to express its own identity with visitors. One of the things I like most about travelling is observing how such experiences - from places, people and moments - can shed a new light into our own lives. I love how Liverpool is so keen to share its passions and its talents. By allowing our passions, talents and dreams to sing their own songs, we in turn give many other people the chance to listen, the chance to share, to hum along to our tune and to enjoy what makes us smile.