Summer Cruise Days 20-24 Last days in Liverpool

My how this week has gone by so fast!

On Saturday we had a nice lay in and then went to have a look at the Beatles story.  With audio unit and headphones one follows the group's time line from the very early school boy days right up to the band splitting and beyond.  It was a fascinating story but a bit lengthy at times.

The Casbah basement night club the boys played long before their days in the Cavern

The famous white room where John Lennon wrote his biggest hit Imagine

In the evening we were joined by our friends, Jo, Dave, Brian, Paul and Sheila who we met in Tattenhall Marina and have become our closest friends. 

We started off with a slap up banquet in the Mayflower Chinese restaurant and then hit the town.  Down one of roads these umbrellas are celebrating the Liverpool Pride that was currently under way.

First stop was the Bee Hive pub.  We've been here before and so decided we'd pop in for one or three.

By now we're all getting into the spirit

 Sadly the great atmosphere was rather marred by a very large Hen party.  The girls clearly well into their party were VERY loud and could barely stand.  We decided we would move on after the girls started to drop drinks and fall into people.  There was going to be some serious hang overs in the morning for sure

A short walk and we found a little gem called the Canarvon Castle.  Its a small pub but inside it was a world away from the busy city noise.  Inside was calm and quiet so we finished off staying there until the others had to catch the last train home.

Left to right - Brian Chris Sheila, Dave, Paul and Joe.

Our little haven from the rowdy party goers

Yesterday, Sunday was to be our last day in Liverpool.  We decided we would stay aboard.  I needed to ready AmyJo for the coming cruise and buried myself in the engine room.  First to tighten the stern glands and second to replenish the greaser.  

We then moved AmyJo onto another mooring so we could top up with water as the nearest tap was too far for our hoses.  Knowing boats would not arrive until at least 1pm we stayed on the mooring while Chris made good use of the electric and water point, doing 4 wash loads and using the tumble dryer.

Once Chris had finished with the washing we decided we'd take a look further along the docks towards the Marina 4 docks away before returning to our allotted mooring.

Leaving Salterhouse dock into Queen's Dock and heading towards the marina

This looks like it could be another pump house

In a side dock a water play center has been set jp and the kids were having a whale of a time.

The warehouse here are all converted into apartments, some with mooring jetties

These odd looking boats are now rent-able holiday lets.  Yellow submarine and the Titanic

Finally as evening came and our last night we went out for a slap up meal in the Miller and Carter Steak house with cocktails to follow

Miller and Carter Lounge for cocktails after dinner

This morning we were up at 6am so we could give Smudge a good walk.  He would be on the boat for a good while.  On our return we readied AmyJo and with a touch of sadness slipped the mooring at 7:40am  and followed the lead boat out into Albert dock and the start of our exit from Liverpool.  There was to be 6 boats leaving with us.

Leaving Albert dock and entering Canning dock

At Man Island Lock Nigel on nb Tam Chas waited for us. Sid greeted us with a cheery smile and that set the tone for the rest of the journey.  Turns out he and Nigel had known each other since they were 10 so the banter was as good as it gets. 

Entering Man Island Lock

Next we retraced the route through the 3 new tunnels and basins

Entering the Museum tunnel

In Prince's Lock we found a couple of floating balls.  Nigel grabbed one on the way in but another got wedged between the boats.  I worked it back to the stern and Nigel retrieved it.  The ball looked new and still had the £12 price tag on it.  His grand kids will love it when they are given it.

Gunwale footy anyone?

Leaving Prince's Lock, Buoys to the right

In this direction one gets a better view of Sid's ditch and the Wind turbines behind.

Sid's Ditxh and Victoria clock tower, sadly not now giving the correct time

As we approached Stanley lock Chris spotted this mural on a building beside the lock.  We had not noticed this on our way in.  Its one last tribute to the Beatles so loved by Liverpool.

Stanley bottom Lock

Nb Tam Chas and AmyJo cross the pound together

In the third lock there was a little worry, as when we entered we found a clutch of ducklings in the lock.  We motored in slowly and Tam Chas being the smaller boat held back to the bottom gate to give them room.  Sid and the boys filled the lock slowly so the ducklings would not be harmed and when the gates opened mummy duck lead them out and off into the reeds.

The ducklings and mum who later joined them ride out the turbulence as the lock slowly filled

 We had a good run down to Bridge 6 stopping briefly on the way at the services to top up with water then we moored up for lunch.  The C&RT boys were a while getting there as they were dealing with a boat that was adrift somewhere.

Stopped for lunch at bridge 6

All went well until Bridge 9.  As the C&RT lads opened the bridge I moved off and collected a large heavy duty plastic bag round the prop.  Down the weed hatch and thankfully it came off easily.

After a brief run to Bridge 10 we called it a day and moored up after the bridge for the night.

We both fell in love with Liverpool while we were there.  The longer one stays there the more it grows on you.  Its a fantastic city with so much to see and do, well worth visiting.  We were made more than welcome and the locals so are friendly.  We will definitely be doing it again!

I must add though Sid and the C&RT crew as some of the best C&RT staff we have dealt with yet.  They are all so helpful and always greet you with a smile.  We cannot thank them enough for their help and guidance which made the journey to and from the dock so easy.  Thanks lads.

Total distance:12.57 miles Elapsed time:7h17m0s Locks:6Bridges:54 
Average speed:1.73 mph (2.55 lock/mph)