Narrowboat Annie: August 2016

Thursday 25 August: The leaving of Liverpool
John had to leave the front right engine mounting bracket off, as the studs had broken: Another job to get sorted quickly. Annie had to be at Mann Lock, close to Albert Dock, by 0800, ready for the CRT staff to see three narrowboats and a widebeam through all the docks and locks.

Liana and Annie facing Liverpool 1 in Canning Dock, after leaving Salthouse and Albert Docks

boats entering Mann lock: There were no pontoon moorings

passing in front of the Three Graces

looking back at the Liver Building from Mann Lock

It was much more enjoyable in mild, calm weather, and we could take our time, following two boats. Once up the four Stanley locks, it was a short trip to Litherland's secure CRT services and moorings, where we left Annie for a long weekend with family and friends.

the hexagonal Victoria Tower in Salisbury Dock, where you turn right for the four Stanley Locks

After turning right, you pass under the girder bridge and past the huge brick warehouses, being converted into hotels / flats

the largest brick warehouse in Europe

through the bridge to Stanley Locks

Liana operating the lock ratchet mechanism to open the huge bottom gates

Stanley Locks. The CRT men were great.

leaving the top of Stanley Locks

back on the L&L

I hope this wonderful 1819 warehouse survives

Annie moored at Litherland 14 day moorings with CRT services

Sunday-Wednesday: The visit
We had been told we would love Liverpool: They were right! We visited the Maritime Museum, the Slavery Museum next door at Albert Dock and the museum of Liverpool, all close to the boat. We had free electricity, probably so we didn't run our engines. We visited the Walker Art gallery twice, it was so good. The massive, red sandstone Anglican Cathedral contrasted with the light touch of the designer of the 1960s Roman Catholic Cathedral. We used our National Trust card to visit 59 Rodney Street, a time warp photographers near the cathedrals. Liverpool 1 is a 42 acre shopping area! Anfield was visited, to see the new stand. We could not believe the number of tourists from all around the world, all having a good time. We went on the ferry across the Mersey. We walked and bussed around the city, and shopped a little. We had a great time.

Saturday 20 August: The Arrival
Wigan CRT staff had recommended mooring just before bridge 10, in the country: Mooring pins, but pleasant scenery. However, John's hands slipped on the mallet in the rain, and it plopped into the canal, never to be seen again, despite him spending an hour or so fishing with the magnet! Hi, ho!

We set off at 8.30, leaving plenty of time to reach swing bridge 9, a mile away, before the CRT staff arrived at 9.30 to open this bridge and bridge 6, too, for us.

weedy canal between bridges 10 and 9

The CRT men await you at swing bridge 9 at 0930

convoy into Liverpool

Liana passing Aintree

At Litherland, we stopped briefly to empty loo holding tanks, as they charge &10 a cassette in Liverpool!

Litherland CRT Services: Empty the loo here

lovely bridges close to Stanley locks

We had to travel the eight miles to the locks at Stanley before 1PM, when the CRT staff arrived to operate the four locks, with some help from Liana.

Annie in Stanley Top Lock, waiting for the CRT lock keepers

you turn right off the canal into Stanley Locks

Festina Lente made haste slowly down the locks with us!

Titanic Hotel to right, massive brick warehouse to left

this bridge must have worked like Keadby Bridge at Scunthorpe: Add water to the bucket on left to lift it.

turn left at the Victoria clock tower

SIDS Ditch was dug through filled in docks. At this stage, it was wet and very windy! The Ocean Liner shows we were exposed to the Mersey winds from the west.