Vineyard Diary

While in Liverpool, I spent some time at our local pub, the Childwall Abbey.

This is where Steve and I held our wedding reception, and the church next door, All Saints, is where we were blessed on our wedding day. The church is the oldest in Liverpool and the only one with medieval origins.

The parish of Childwall itself is mentioned in the Domesday Book, which was compiled by William I in 1086. A translation of the entry reads:

"Four Radmans held Childwall as four Manors. There is half a hide. It was worth eight shillings. There was a priest, having half a carucate of land in frank almoign."

Apparently, a hide was an area of land measuring from 60 to 100 acres; a carucate is thought to be roughly the amount of land a team of oxen could plough in a season, and frank almoign may be translated 'Free alms'.

Pictures of All Saints and the Childwall Abbey, along with other images of Liverpool can be found here at Brian Seddon's photography site.

A few other Liverpool facts and treasures:

Liverpool has the largest single collection of Grade One listed buildings and more national museums and galleries than any other UK city outside London.

Liverpool's Playhouse Theatre is one of the oldest repertory theatres outside London, and has in the past been a venue for the likes of Noel Coward, Rex Harrison and Cecil Parker.

The awe inspiring Liverpool Cathedral is the largest in England and the fifth largest in the world.

Birkenhead Park was the first municipal park in England and the model for Central Park in New York.

Liverpool has produced a number of extremely talented wine writers such as Dr. Debs of Good Wine Under $20 and Chris Kissack, The Wine Doctor.

If you have the opportunity, visit Liverpool during it's turn as European Capital of Culture next year.

See you there,
Elsbeth
Escafeld Vineyards

Labels: Liverpool Childwall Wine Writers