#25feb2018

[the-cosmic-empire]

Some of the birthday celebrations for George’s 75th in Mathew Street, Liverpool yesterday (25th February 2018). 

[tieuhacmieu]

Từ trước đến giờ cứ nghĩ, người ta đối xử tốt với mình, quan tâm mình, cười nói với mình,... là người ta có cảm tình với mình. Đến hôm nay mới biết suy nghĩ đó thật lạc hậu và ngây thơ. Để rồi người ta nói rằng thật sự không thích mình, rằng mình đừng ảo tưởng vị trí của mình nữa. “Em cần phải trưởng thành đi” - anh đã muốn nói như thế, phải không?

[the-cosmic-empire]

The Cavern Club door yesterday, 25th February 2018.

[the-cosmic-empire]

“Try and imagine the soul entering the womb of a woman living at 12 Arnold Grove, Wavertree, Liverpool 15. There were all the barrage balloons, and the Germans bombing Liverpool. All that was going on. I sat outside the house a couple of years ago, imagining 1943, nipping through the spiritual world, the astral level, getting back into a body in that house. That really is strange when you consider the whole planet, all the planets there may be on a spiritual level. How do I come into that family, in that house at that time, and who am I anyway?”

[George]

George’s childhood homes and birthplace, photographed on the 25th February 2018 in celebration of his 75th birthday. At the top are photos of 12 Arnold Grove, where George was born and lived until he was 6 years old. 

The photos are the street sign (Arnold Grove and surrounding streets are ‘unadopted’ meaning the residents are collectively responsible for the road maintenance instead of the council), number 12 Arnold Grove, the street from the far end (it’s a dead end road), then the top end and also Albert Grove which was where George’s maternal grandparents lived when he was little.  The streets and houses here are so tiny, it’s hard to imagine how the Harrison family must have coped with 2 adults and up to four children living at home there. 

At the bottom is George’s lesser visited childhood home (as you can maybe tell by its a-little-bit-run-down nature) at 25 Upton Green, Speke. George moved here on the 2nd January 1950 when - after many years of being on the waiting list - the Harrison family were finally given the new council house. This isn’t on quite a few of the tours as it’s further out of the city. 

I’ve written some more about my trip under the cut! 

So, on Friday last week I was suddenly struck with the compulsion I must go to Liverpool for George’s 75th birthday. This time of year we’re really busy at work, so I can’t normally think about going anywhere so this was very last minute. I said to my (long suffering) boyfriend, ‘I NEED to go to Liverpool’. He said, ‘...When?’ ‘SUNDAY!’ ‘....What for..?’

So off to Liverpool we went. I thought it would either be very busy or very quiet, but except for the Cavern which was heaving, it was quite quiet. (I thought there might be a few of the other George regulars, but I didn’t see any). We went to the Beatles Story (that’s a different tale to tell too) then mooched around and went in the Cavern Club, which had a Ukulele festival on and the usual music, and suddenly I was struck again with... ‘I NEED to go to the house!’ 

‘What house?’ says my poor boyf. 

‘George’s!’ 

‘...But we’ve paid for car parking now...’ 

Anyway, off we go to the house. There was no one there and nothing to mark the day but it was very sunny and bright (though freezing) and nice to just stand there and think, 75 years ago... Plus, not being on a tour means you can take your time and take nice pictures. 

We went back to the Beatles Story for a talk someone was doing about George and India and George’s spirituality then on the way home we went to Upton Green, which as I’ve said is quite a bit further out of the city and harder to get to. It was getting dark by then and the road is a little run down (a bit messy, rubbish lying around - sorry about the wheely bin) and the car we have (!) kind of attracts attention so we didn’t stay as long as I would have liked. I will have to go back there and explore and take more photos next time!

When these anniversaries come around, I always think I need to do something, but whatever you do doesn’t seem... right quite. This one was a little bit more special. I hope George, somewhere out there, can feel the love we send him. 

[the-cosmic-empire]

I’m a little late posting this, but birthday wishes from Paul to Georgie. x

[the-cosmic-empire]

12 Arnold Grove, where George was born 75 years ago, photographed today 25/2/18

[fitmomjoanna]

After dinner #throwback #asiatiquetheriverfrontเอเช #awesomethailand #bangkokmemories #25feb2018 (at Asiatique The Riverfront (เอเชียทีค เดอะ ริเวอร์ฟร้อนท์))

[fitmomjoanna]

Korkor Henry & Jiejie Shelly, thank you for your warm hospitality & tour guide arrangements, we were truly blessed. We will be looking forward to you visiting us next in Hyderabad India & KL next. 😘🙏🏻kp #kapunka #25feb2018 (at Baan Klang Nam Restaurant)