Liverpool

I've been to Liverpool before, many years ago to see all the Beatles things, but I think I must have been on the train at the time because driving there last week was a magical mystery tour for sure. Sat Nav be damned, because it always seems to suggest the wrong direction, and following the directions from google maps also led us to a point, not the point we wanted, but a point nevertheless. So I ended up driving through a bus only area outside some shopping centre and am hoping that no fine appears through my letterbox.

We arrived at our destination an hour after we had planned, destination The World Museum. Once arrived, with kids wound up tight, and myself wound up even tighter, we headed straight for the cafe on the top floor. Bellies filled and some views of the city taken in, we descended the stairs as the elevator was forever in use.

Museum entry is free, and the planetarium show we took in was also free, and highly relaxing, my daughter fell asleep and I nearly did as well, among the stars. It was one of the things I wanted them to see since there are no planetariums nearby here. In the aquarium section there was a presentation and the kids got to touch a starfish and a crab- both alive.

Working our way backwards, or top to bottom, we entered the Eye for Colour exhibit which was filled with some fun exhibits like the Mood Room, where you just sit inside and observe how you feel as the walls & ceiling slowly change colours. I was surprised to find that pink made me feel energetic! Also my daughter built a rainbow and my son camoflaged himself. It was a great exhibit for autistic spectrum kids, with colour, texture, and lights!

My son liked the dinosaurs still, and both seemed pretty fascinated by all the intricate wax models of bugs and such. While walking back to our car an amphibeous vehicle with tourists passed by, and the kids were really excited and wanted to go on one, so maybe next time as there is so much more to explore in Liverpool.

And the rest..

All were truly larger than life monsters, as you can see from this pic of the Slitheen and the kids.

More from MOSI [part 3]

There is of course more to the museum than this one exhibit... we did explore the tranport areas including the engines, trains, and the space and flight area which my husband particularly enjoyed.

Getting up close to the monsters of Doctor who was really thrilling though, and even I could see how as a kid I would've loved it (as it was, I didn't mind it now either). This one was not my favourite though, a giant talking spider.


Also known as the Empress of Racnoss.

The only queue was the one to get inside the Dalek and have your voice come out sounding like one.

One of my favourites was the Face of Boe, it was just so huge.. it scared my son at first, even in the television episode as it is rather freaky looking, but its one of the most peaceful characters, he's the wisdom keeper, the singer of ancient songs as it said at the exhibit.

The cybercontroller, the leader of the cybermen.

And then we found this guy hanging out at the restaurant?!! The Abzorbaloff (he eats/absorbs people), just enough to put you off your dinner...

MOSI Dr Who part 2

One of the more distinct buildings in the Castlefield area is what we called 'the upside down' building which is Beetham Tower, built in 2006. I think its more in the Deansgate area, but clearly visible for miles and currently the tallest building in Manchester.

The museum itself has been revamped as part of the regeneration of the area. So, once inside the Doctor Who exhibit, a brief history of the recent series is on display along with original BBC costumes. My son, like many I would imagine, loves the Daleks, the Doctor's most hated enemies. So when we turned a corner to view this lifesize talking, moving Dalek, whoops went up all around.
Among the other 'baddies' as my son puts it, is the Cybermen, which once again, although the Doctor is cool, the baddies are way cooler..

I'm glad they didn't forget to include trusty old K-9. One thing the exhibit seemed to be missing was a tardis. I suppose they couldn't use the actual set, but a smaller version for the kids to walk into would have been really cool. There was a tardis phone box, but it was situated within the steam engine section in a different building???

More to follow..