Outing to Tall Ships Festival 

    On Sunday, July 20^th 50 members of Marple U3a travelled to Liverpool to see the Tall Ships Festival.  

    The ships were in dock in preparation for the race to Norway the following day.  After several weeks of 

    unseasonable weather the sun actually managed to peep through on the day which meant that the street 

    entertainment could be enjoyed without getting wet.  The coach dropped us at Albert Dock and this was 

    where all the smaller ships were moored.  A free bus ferried visitors the short journey to Wellington 

    Dock where the larger ships were based.  In spite of rumours that some one million tourists were 

    expected in Liverpool over the festival weekend, the arrangements were so well-organized that the 

    xperience was pleasurable and no-one felt harassed.  With chocolates and a quiz on the outward 

    journey and wine and nibbles on the way home everyone agreed that it had been a thoroughly enjoyable and 

    interesting day out.