Last night I was out in Liverpool, which seems to be something of a rarity for me lately. I went to see Ken Dodd in his Laughter Show at the small concert hall in St Georges Hall. The first thing that strikes you when entering this beautiful hall is how well it had been restored to its former glory. Then you drink in the fact that Charles Dickens stood on this stage and gave readings to the people of Liverpool. In those days you paid one penny to go to "the penny readings" this was to encourage people from all backgrounds to be able to listen to great stories often told by great writers.However, I digress from my original subject of playing with Gods.

First up is this little place:

yes be impressed, as this little number is the latest skyscraper to break the already famous Liverpool Water Front scene, even if it is a little back from the waterfront. West Tower houses very expensive apartments and on the thirty fourth floor a restaurant and bar. I had the pleasure of having a pre concert drink in the bar. The view is spectacular and all the more so because I was looking down like some God on the city I love. Drinks were not bad either. I have to point out that you probably need to take out a second mortgage to eat and drink here, but you only live once. I had one criticism the "bucket type chairs" very uncomfortable, unless of course you are the type of lizard that likes to lounge, then you will be well at home slinky down in one of these.

Speaking of Gods back to Mr Ken Dodd, here is a man eighty years young, who spent four hours entertaining his audience,believe me when I say when you go to see him you know you are "his" audience, one of the funniest comedians I have ever seen, and this is not the first time I have had the pleasure of seeing him. His show was a celebration of laughter and the laughter makers, so no better place to stage it than in a city were every other person is a comedian. He paid tribute the likes of Arthur Askey. Ted Ray and Tommy Handley, some of his heroes, but I can tell you he was right up there with the best of them. He also had the grace to include some of the more recent comedians who have hailed form Liverpool, and having seen most of them I can tell you they cannot hold a candle to this guy. His memory may not be what it was, but he is as sharp as any of the knives in the box. All the proceeds of this show went to charity, and of course there was the usual mention of his lapse of memory when it comes to money/ tax returns etc. He even had a go at lawyers and journalist in a very clever way to let them know  he had the measure of most men.

I have been one of the enormous group of people wondering why he has never been knighted.When you put him alongside the people who are now "Sirs" it is unfathomable. Maybe that little indiscretion with his tax return is the answer, but for most people getting one over on the taxman has made him an icon!! Lets hope they do not wait too long to honour one of Liverpool's finest. As he said last night " They sent me a self assessment form, me who invented the self assessment" priceless!!!!

Do you get fed up of taxi drivers who turn up at your home/place of work and sit outside waiting for you to appear, even more annoying beep their horn at all times of day and night. It would appear that walking to the door, opening the car door, and helping with bags, luggage is something of  a novelty these days. (yes I hear you say, but we live in less safe times) so who wants to take a chance?

In 2008 my husband is expanding his private hire bushiness and will be providing a service that is a bit special. He already chauffeurs many golfers to and from the Wirral to golf venues up and down the country. He is the driver who when he takes you to the airport makes sure that you and your baggage are transported in a calm stress free way, and yes he does help with the luggage. He does not believe in "ring  back"as he actually turns up at your door and rings the bell to let you know he is waiting to transport you to your destination. So for the discerning traveller "who do you want to drive you home to-night"

Maybe in 2008 you will be visiting Liverpool for the Capital of Culture Events, or perhaps you are a keen golfer who will be coming to the Wirral for the Open. For anyone who is looking for a stress free, professional and reliable chauffeur service then you can contact Russ at:

russ@wirralcar.co.uk

This beautiful building will be transformed into an ice skating rink to match any.

Some people will say it is sacrilege to cover the one of the most famous floors in the world with synthetic ice, but I believe it is truly inspired.What a setting...I only wish I could ice skate now. St George’s Hall is the commanding building you see opposite Lime Street station and is said to be Prince Charles’s favourite building. Its £23m restoration was completed earlier this year.

I remember being my first sight of the famous ice skating ring in New York outside the Rockefeller Centre - it was amazing, and so will Liverpool's rink inside St Georges Hall. Just imagine skating surrounded by the fabulous statues and the marble flooring, to say nothing of the grand organ which hopefully they will have playing sometime during the skating event. I am going just to be amazed. Look out NY

• THE ice rink will be open from 10am to 8pm (last admission 7.20pm) from Friday December 21 to Saturday January 5, closing only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
• Tickets for a 30-minute session are available from St George’s Hall heritage centre.
• Pre-booking is advised and tickets can be reserved on0151-225 6909 (booking fee £1) - why not on the web though???
• Tickets - £6 (£5 concessions). Family tickets - £15 (four people, maximum two adults). Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

This is another space in Liverpool for the weary visitor with tired feet.

These are the courtyard gardens of the Bluecoat Chambers right in the heart of the busy shopping area of Liverpool. In fact right behind the new Primark store in Church Street. The Bluecoat Chambers is one of the oldest buildings in the city of Liverpool, it was built around 1717 as a school for the poor children of Liverpool. The original structure was erected in 1708 as a charity school for fifty boys at a cost of £35 and it's now a Grade 1 listed building.

The picture  below is of the original school yard. You can sit here and rest from the busy shopping scene. The benches are donated to the memory of loved ones and one day,hopefully in many years time I would like to have a bench here, so people can sit and enjoy what I have always enjoyed in the city I love so much.