Friday 11th May 2012

Friday 11th May 2012

Frank just can't cope with out a newspaper in the mornings, so even though the nearest shop looked like it was 2 miles away he set forth in search of a newsagent with 35 minutes before we were due to be picked up by BW,
He returned with some time to spare and even though we'd been told to meet at Bridge 9 at 9am, the chaps didn't turn up until about 9.15. We were off in convoy through the bridge holding up traffic further than the eye could see.
We were second in line of three boats swinging round Canal Turn of Aintree Race course pooteling along. Gradually the canal became fuller of litter. We waited in line at Netherton Swing Bridge for BW to open it up, then on went the convoy.
My friend Kathy who lives near by came to meet us being picked up before we reached Litherland Bridges Services. Here the other boats stopped to use the Elsan disposal point, we dropped rubbish onto the pontoon and carried on to Stanley Locks eating freshly made cheese scones.

A turn right to the top of the locks where we were met by a volunteer lock keeper. He was very nice and said that we could fill all the locks and enter the top lock, but unfotunatly he wouldn't be able to let us down as he hadn't got the special windlass for the top paddles. The full time BW chaps had been called away as a swing bridge had stuck open holding up traffic.

Kathy has been recording water going through locks for an art exhibition as part of the cultural olympiad and wanted to record us. So she put her microphone in above the second lock, I told her to hold on very tightly as I opened the paddle. She soon understood why! As the water levels evened out the microphone became slacker in the water but seemed to be caught somehow on the paddle. After jiggling it around for some time she eventually got it free.

Whilst waiting for BW the volunteer lock keeper had a very good chat with us. He even gave me his own recording of the Giant girl and her uncle that were in Liverpool a few weeks ago. I was really disappointed that we hadn't been in Liverpool for it so it will be nice to see his footage of the day.

Eventually the chaps turned up and started to let the boats down. We were allowed to help until the final lock where we had to get on, then through a short tunnel beeping our horn to be hit by really strong wind head on. We were now in Stanley Dock and it is totally amazing. There is a building to your right that is very similar to Albert Dock, opposite is the collosal Tobacco Warehouse, it has to be seen to be believed. We headed straight on towards the Victoria clock tower where we turned left into a new channel which links Stanley Dock to West Waterloo Docks. There are so many sights that you can only see from the water it is amazing. Through Princes Dock to the new lock and down. We then went through three tunnels each opening out onto a different view. It's very strange being in a tunnel with a flat ceiling you can hear conversations from the back of the boat. On to the last lock of the day. This looks strange from up above, we'd come to Liverpool last year and had a walk along the new link, but you can't get near to the locks, this one looked like the water level was the same as above and below it and the gates didn't look like they would hold back water. But when you are there it has a height difference of about 9 inches, beyond this is a set of gates mitered in the opposite way to normal, which are used to hold back the water in the docks from going up the canal. Out of here a sharp u turn through Canning Dock and a turn to the left into Albert Dock just infront of the sea lock. On through to Salthouse Dock where we spotted our designated mooring. The wind was really quite strong Mick managed to pull up quite convincingly, impressing Kathy and Frank . He said it was pure fluke.

 


We waved Goodbye to Frank and headed to the Tate for a bite to eat. Kathy then headed off home and we decided to turn the boat round as the Hook up wouldn't reach. This took a little bit of doing as the wind was still very strong, but we succeeded. We'd bought a 10KWH electric card but found that our hook up was still in credit, so made use of it, Thank you someone!

We were expecting visitors for lunch tomorrow so did some shopping and then headed to Pizza Express for tea, had a very windy walk around the docks which are beautifully flood lit at night. A glass of wine and then to bed.

It really is amazing that you can do this journey and stay in the centre of the docks for 14 days for free. We would quite happily have paid to come through the docks and feel quite privileged to have done the journey. A Maximum of 16 boats can go into liverpool in a week and the same leave. It really is wonderful.

Smart gauge at start of day 52, end of cruising day 100. 6 Locks, 2 swing bridges, 11 miles, 1 heron, 2 swans on nests,1 saved microphone, so many amazing sights, you just have to do it!