As Bee and I got stuck in traffic coming into Liverpool on the way back from the Lakes (I'm not really managing to keep up on the blogging front) we eventually worked out the cause: we were near Aintree Race Course.
I was driving so Bee became a paparazzo (spelling?) out of the car window. All the pavements were crowded with racegoers, some coming by train, some already installed outside the pub, a few by stretch limo. You can see that the weather was unusually warm for the North of England (usual slogan: ne'er cast a clout till May is out*) and one wonders what happens when the weather is the usual April showers. The southerners* seem more sensible in having Ascot* in the summer.
Here are the best of Bee's photos. Unfortunately, arriving with a half mile walk down a rather rough looking street, with road works and traffic controls, does not make a Liverpool devushka at her most glamourous. Nor is smsing your escort advisable on your grand entrance, even if he hasn't turned up on time. But they all looked like they were having a good time. And those without hats had silly feather things in their hair. Nice that most of the men got smartened up as well, as compared with the usual devushka escorts.
Later someone told me it was a general day out in Liverpool for "Ladies' Day" at the Races.
*Explanation for non-Brits
Translation: Don't take off any layers of clothing until June. This assumes you are wearing a vest, shirt, jumper and jacket. When I was a child, this seemed sensible. But it clearly is laughable today. Global warming now applies to people.
Southerners are the arch foes of Northerners.
The southern location for Ladies Day at the races is during Royal Ascot Week, where silly hats are obligatory, though long dresses are not usually worn. Ladies' Day is on June 21st this year.
