Tuesday 29 June 2010

RESTING, RESTING - ONE, TWO, THREE

Once again we interrupt the mighty roar of London's traffic to bring you.........

I have just celebrated my 65th birthday; I am therefore officially classified as old and have allowed myself a small dose of nostalgia.
For those too young to know and for those whose memory has been blunted by the years; the opening lines were those of a radio (wireless) program which ran every Saturday evening from 1933 until 1960. It was called 'In Town Tonight'.
I cannot think what on earth brought those lines to mind; but you can rest assured that I had forgotten what I was trying to remember when they burst into a small unoccupied space in my brain. Now what was I going to say?

Oh yes, we will be returning home for a while; therefore the blog will be suspended until we are back on board. Boating Plan B has been repealed owing to a severe water shortage on the Pennine canals. You will be the first to know in which direction that Martlet will be heading as soon as we have made the decision; it should be in about a couple of weeks, we start to suffer from 'Land Legs' when we spend too long at home!

Saturday 26 June 2010

SATURDAY 26TH JUNE 2010

HASSALL GREEN, LOCK 57
..........better late in this life than early in the next. There is very little chance of this adage apply to us at present.
We have booked a Sunday roast at Lockside 57 brasserie for tomorrow. We arrived at the moorings nearby this morning at 9.15am. This gave us the perfect reason to call in and have a breakfast; which we enjoyed sitting at an outside table overlooking the lock. We feel the need to get away from the canal environment now and again in order to maintain a balance.
There is a view from the previous lock, encompassing transport contrasts where the M6 motorway crosses the Trent & Mersey canal. The M6 was open in this section by 1966; the Trent and Mersey canal predated it considerably, being opened in 1777 (and it has not needed resurfacing)
On a previous occasion, passing through this lock, our boat was seen from the motorway by a friend who is a boat owning lorry driver, he complained that we did not wave to him!
We now have 26 hours to wait before taking up our booking. I have started another book, as has Myra. We will sit and watch the boats go by whilst we bask in the sunshine.

Transport contrasts

Friday 25 June 2010

TAKING IT EASY

...and we have been. Arriving on the weaver via Marsh Lock, I was surprised to see the top gate being opened by a very embarrased lockkeeper using a Tirfor winch. It is reassuring to hear from BW that the condition of the canals has never been better.
My eyes and those of other boaters give the lie to that statement.
We moored, and just sat for a while before I dozed off in the cabin whilst Myra dozed in a chair outside and Duncan had the saloon! What a load of dozy things we are.

Duncan was collected by Number 2 son from Rocksavage moorings; we moved away and moored for the night. It had been good to have him with us on our nasty black particulate spreading device, as he insists on calling our smart narrowboat. Well, he would wouldn't he as a cruiser person.

We made it as far as Dutton Lock on the Wednesday, where we completed another day of sitting and reading. Thursday was different. We spent the time reading and sitting for a change. We said goodbye to Dutton lockkeeper Fred; he will be retired by the time of our next visit. We will keep in touch, as he has another novel (his third)
coming out in Feruary 2011. (http://www.qquoin.com/)

Friday morning we were up with the Lark to be at the foot of Saltersford lock for 8am when Bryn arrived for duty. Locking through, we chatted to him and then tied up at the top of the lock to continue. After tea and cake, we moved away to Northwich for shopping and PortaPotti emptying.

We went up on the Anderton Boat lift at 1pm and began our journey back to Endon on the Trent & Mersey canal. We caught the rush hour at Middlewich Big lock which we shared with two cruisers, following them up the remaining three and Kings lock on our own as they turned into the Wardle canal and lock. Myra went to buy Fish and Chips as Martlet rose in the lock; we ate them on the move. We moored for the night after the West Coast main line railway bridge near Sandbach. A mere 13 hours after moving off at Dutton.

Tuesday 22 June 2010

THE CROSSING OF THE MERSEY

Monday 21st June 2010

If you do not want to see a lot of photographs, this would be a good time to go and read a book. However, I felt that the journey across the River Mersey and up the Ship canal to the River Weaver warranted a lot of photgraphs: I actually took only 80.

Our alarm went off at 4am. I had slept well, and was now excited and wanting to be away. I took a picture of the clock on the Royal Liver Building, to prove that I was awake at that time. (I know that the clock could have stopped at that time, but it had not - OK?). We had breakfast and by then, the first boats were preparing to move off their moorings. Our position was in the second locking, leaving 30 minutes after the first.

We moved off and down to Brunswick lock, with instructions via VHF radio not to enter the lock until told to do so by the lockkeeper. He did mention that he had to get up a 4.30am to see 'you lot' out onto the river. Oh well, as the saying states: if you can't take a joke, then you should not have joined........

At last, the gates opened and we were off; calm water, blue sky, horizon to horizon sunshine what a morning to be out on the Mersey - Fantastic. Being in the second locking, we had to join the first locking and then wait in mid channel; hanging about with the mirage effect of distant objects across the blue water, of such things are memories made. Eventually and all too soon, we were forming up and heading for the small lock at Eastham; we could have stayed just drifting around, it was really quite lovely.

Approaching Eastham lock, the boaters with experience of tidal waters stuck out like a sore thumb as the majority made an undignified rush for the lock, overtaking, jostling and very poor boat handling resulting; words were exchanged as boats were forced to stop sharply to avoid hitting those cutting in. Eventually, all were in the lock and calm. When the upper gates opened ropes were loosed off too early and boats were pushed into each other; we were glad to be out of the lock and under way.

At Ellesmere Port, the five of us travelling on to the Weaver separated and continued as the others turned for the basin and their moorings. Soon, we were boating along at a good speed to arrive at Marsh Lock for the arranged opening time of 11am.

Arriving at Marsh lock, the unmistakable figure of Mo, the BW foreman at Northwich was seen as the gates opened.
Entering the lock, a surge of water moved us forward. I reversed and lassoed a bollard and as the movement of water took the front towards the lock wall, Myra lassoed another bollard, pulled the boat alongside and when we left the lock, the journey had ended; and what a journey.

Thank you, Mike Carter ; thank you Ian Fletcher. All of your planning, organising, cajoling and hard work over months had resulted in a wonderful day which was enjoyed by everyone in safety.

An early start!

Entering Brunswick lock

Leaving Brunswick lock

Convoy assembly point

Heading for Eastham

Ship - right hand lock; narrowboats - left hand one

Eastham Lock - full house

Manchester Ship Canal, leaving Eastham Locks

Manchester Ship Canal, the convoy nearing Ellesmere Port

Manchester Ship Canal

Starting the turn into Marsh lock

Marsh lock gates opening

THE TIME IS NIGH

SUNDAY 20TH JUNE 2010
One of the reason for our trip into Liverpool was to take part in the river crossing of the Mersey from Brunswick lock to Eastham lock and the Manchester Ship Canal; this evening, a parade of boats was held when all 29 boats left their moorings in Salthouse dock and travelled along the south docks to Liverpool Marina and back.
We had been joined on board by Sue and Dave of Nb.Crimson Tide. They were walking around the area and just looking at the boats when Sue spotted Martlet. It was a lovely surprise, and we had a good evening with them.

Waiting for the boats to leave their moorings, we thought that it would give a pointer to what sort of boating skills and manners we could expect on the crossing; as we do not go boating with a large number of others. Within moments, we had the answer. The first two boats had left their moorings and were moving nicely lined up abreast when a boat reversed straight off a pontoon in font of them, causing both boats to stop.
We waited until all other boats had moved off and them followed them. We stayed well back as they began to return to the pontoons and to their new positions ready for the lockings next morning.

Duncan from cruiser Miss D Mena, was waiting for us when we tied up; he was staying the night on board so that he could make the crossing with us. With two people from Liverpool and one from Southport, good craik was assured. We hope to catch up with Sue and Dave again ( yes Duncan - with you as well!).

Procession of boats

Friday 18 June 2010

BOATING AGAIN

This was a slightly different type: we boarded the Mersey Ferries 'Snowdrop' for a short cruise and to visit the U 534 experience at Woodside, Birkenhead.
The river explorer and U boat combined ticket cost £7 each; we were disappointed with the exhibition and thought that it was not worth even the £2 extra on the river explorer day ticket. We will know for next time, and had another round trip to compensate. You could board the ferry at 10am, Pier head and stay aboard all morning and most of the afternoon doing a few round trips for £5, a better idea!

The Woodside ferry terminal booking hall put me in mind of a lot of the ferry terminals around the Clyde, being a wooden building full of character. It was built in 1864 and is naturally for this area, listed.

The view across the Mersey to Liverpool is world famous and impressive.
The Liver building, the Cunard building and that of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board; know collectively as the 'Three Graces' dominate the Liverpool waterfront, but given the propensity of planners to do the wrong thing almost by instinct, I wonder how long that state will remain.

The view of the Mersey Docks building from the south has gone already; a large, dark glass faced office block sort of thing is the culprit. A reflection can be obtained by turning your back on the original; it almost seems impolite so to do given the quality of construction. The weird concrete thing in the foreground of the photograph of the Three Graces is the Pier Head ferry terminal and home to the Beatles Experience. You can begin to see my concerns for planning in the future.


It was good to see shipping moving today in what was once the first port of the British Empire.

I know that this post has me whingeing about planning. I love Liverpool and the people in it that we have met; I just hope that this Great city is allowed to bask in the glory of so many excellent buildings and not to have them demolished, or the view of them obstructed in the excuse and name of progress.

Ferry 'cross the Mersey

Woodside ferry terminal.

The Liverpool waterfont

The Three Graces

Reflection

Arklow Faith heading out to sea

Thursday 17 June 2010

LIVERPOOL SIGHTSEEING

There is so much to see and to do in Liverpool; our moorings are right on the western edge of the City centre and are very convenient for sightseeing. The stillness of the early morning and reflections in the water are a sight that will remain with me for quite a while.
There are Jellyfish in the basin, the biggest are about 8 inches across, no swimming in their company.

We had a meal which was very good and value for money in the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, an Art Nouveau grade 2 listed building, designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas for Cain's brewery in 1898.
The Gents toilets are quite something; there is a notice in the corridor to the effect that 'Ladies can be found in these toilets' - they think of everything in Liverpool! Seriously, ladies are permitted to look at the toilets with the permission of the bar staff and that is as it should be.

Early morning, Albert Dock

We are not alone - Jellyfish at the moorings

Entrance Gate, Chinatown

Philharmonic Dining rooms

Philharmonic Dining rooms, gents toilet 1

Philharmonic Dining rooms, gents toilet 2

Tuesday 15 June 2010

BUILDING SPOTTING IN LIVERPOOL

Here we are on the pontoon moorings in Salthouse Basin; within easy reach of the major attractions of Liverpool. It is at times like this I do not begrudge paying my BW licence. Free mooring close to the heart of the city - wonderful!

We have been building spotting.
Some of the new tall buildings make up in height what they loose in proportion and style. One of them has been completed with the Portakabin site hut remaining in place on the top: I hope that someone got a rocket for forgetting that one.

Mersey Docks and Harbour Board building has a look that reminds me of The Taj Mahal, it is the Portland stone and proportions and the trees in front. It was completed in 1907 and has Grade 2 listing.

Tower Building was completed in 1910 as offices and has Grade 2 listed building status as Gothic revival. The white glazed upper cladding was produced by the pottery maker, Doulton. The building now has been converted to apartments. Without the Grade 2 listing, they would probably have been called flats.

Martins Bank Headquarters - 1932 grade 2 listed; and the National Provincial Bank 1934 (remember that name?) all along Water Street (formerly named Bank Street). Classic architecture well executed. The City Hall seemed to be a bit small by comparison.

The Mersey Tunnel Headquarters building of the 1930's has Egyptian motifs all around it; it has also Grade 2 listing

Apparently, so we were told by a security guard, the entire gold reserves from London were housed in Martins Bank for safe keeping during the war. He said that scousers have a bit of a reputation for being a bit light fingered. But, not one of the gold bars went missing. AND it took almost twenty years for the gold leaf to wear away from the lead underneath! Everyone here is a comedian.

We walked to have a look at Princess landing stage; we had travelled from there in 1966 and 1969 to see Myra's parents when they lived on the Isle of Man. Two very rough crossings as I remember, but the Island was beautiful and unspoilt, I hope that it has so remained.

Who forgot the Portakabin site office?

The 1907 Mersey Docks and Harbour Board building

Tower Building, 1910

Doors, Martins Bank HQ, 1932

Door detail, National Provincial Bank - 1934

Mersey Tunnel Headquarters

Monday 14 June 2010

BEFORE, AND THE LIVERPOOL LINK

Saturday 12th June Lydiate - Br10, Aintree oustkirts

We helped with the setting up of the stalls for the sale and barbeque and chatted for a while, we would move off to meet up with the Stoke Boat club members at Bridge 10, ready for the BW assisted passage next morning. There were four swing bridges to negotiate, Ivor and Diane moved off slightly before us so we did a leapfrog (WITH THE BOATS!)on all of the bridges which made it easier.

Arriving at Bridge 10, we found the other eight boat from Stoke boat club, together with Douglas on Summerlee. Having moored up, Douglas invited us to tea and cake which would have been churlish of us to refuse; so we accepted and jolly nice cake it was.

Ken, who had arranged the trip, informed me that he had been requested by BW to make it 8.30 at Br.9 next morning if we could rather than the 9.30 previously arranged. A good idea, we prefer to move off early when we can.

Douglas came on board for the evening and we chatted until very late; time is soon
lost in good company!


Sunday 13th June - The Liverpool Link.

At last, the moment had arrived for the passage along the link. The BW men swung Bridge 9, and the convoy was away. Aintree racecourse was hidden from view to our disappointment, but soon we were compensated by the sight of the many young ducks, coots and moorhen. It is a long way winding around the suburbs, and it became evident that a good business to be in was that of making the flag of the cross of St.George.

Through Litherland and on to Eldonian village with a view over the rooftops to Seaforth container terminal and massive container hoists. Then the right angled turn into the Stanley dock branch locks. The link passage though the locks starts at the foot of this flight.

The views along the link are very varied; the character of the huge derelict warehouses contrasting sharply with the new housing developments all of the way along passing the three Liverpool waterfront landmarks of the Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building (built as the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building) Each one is beautiful and a testament to the confidence and prosperity of the Port in recent history.

A series of sharp alterations in course brought us through Albert Dock into Salthouse Dock where the pontoon moorings provide our journey's end.

They are off!

Liverpool link 1

Liverpool link 2

Liverpool link 3

Liverpool link 4

The Liver Building

Albert dock

Liverpool moorings, Salthouse dock

GETTING EVEN CLOSER

Friday 11th June Br.23 - Lydiate

A very short day, just under three miles to the Mersey Motorboat club moorings at Lydiate. On arrival, we emptied the portapotti and moved back to our temporary mooring. There was to be a barbeque on the next day, so Myra and I helped them with some preparations, erecting the large tent and testing the teapot and mugs.
They are a friendly, easy to get on with bunch of people who made us feel welcome. In the evening, we tested the bar and staff and were joined by Ivor and Diane from Stoke boat club who were moored towpath side opposite the club.

Aintree outskirts, the club moored up.

Hitch hiker

Sunday 13 June 2010

NEARLY THERE!

Thursday 10th June Scarisbrick - Br.23

The Ormskirk bus passes over the bridge at Scarisbrick; we caught the bus there to have a look around the market. We passed an interesting terrace next to the railway line. It was a proper wedge shape and very narrow at the town end.

The market was a good one and was almost as big as Bakewell; well worth the visit. Just to keep Barry Clark happy, Myra bought two pies, one pork and one Aberdeen Angus steak. They were both delicious, as was the cheese from the next stall.

There was a Town Crier wandering about and occasionally crying; I know how he feels.
It transpired that he was not any old Town Crier, but a Queens Town Crier no less!
Donald Evans has been duly appointed and vetted by the Queen: lets face it, not many people can claim that now can they? He is the West Lancashire Town Crier and explained that he has official functions, where his expenses are paid and his own private ones where he is paid a small sum (in case there are any Tax men reading this) to cry for any event at shops being held that day.
It was fascinating listening to him; thank you Donald for the brief history.

We fortunate to have a look around the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, as it is open only on Thursdays. It is an unusual church, as it is one of only three in England with both a tower and a spire. The steeple dates back to the 15th century, with the massive tower added on a century later. Fragments of Saxon and Celtic masonry can be found in the east wall, the church features a 12th century Norman window in the north chancel wall.

Returning to Martlet, we moved a couple of miles along after waiting for a wide beam boat to fill his tank with water; the 60 minutes that it took seemed more like an hour. We only wanted diesel, but the nozzle would not reach across a wide boat.


 

Wedge shaped terrace

The Market, Ormskirk

Donald Evans, West Lancashire Town Crier

WIGAN TO SCARISBRICK

Tuesday 8th June - Wigan to Appley locks.

Owing to a water shortage, the locks around Wigan are padlocked from 4pm until 9am.
Yesterday, on the way back from the Go Outdoors superstore; we had a look at Wigan lock. No sign of a padlock. The next lock is nearly a mile away.

We moved off at 8am in company with Douglas on Summerlee, we completed the first lock and were ready to pull the bottom paddles on the second when the BW man arrived to unlock them; talk about planning! Then onwards and all of the locks had no padlocks: Douglas was to go home by train from Appley Bridge, we said our farewell and carried on to moor at Appley Locks.

The view from there is quite something, a walk along to the disused locks and drained pound proved that the disused lock did not leak at all; a marked contrast to the on in use as the picture shows.

Wednesday 9th June - Appley locks to Scarisbrick.

A misty and wet start, the rain stopped after Parbold and remained dry for all of the swing bridges as far as the Rufford arm. There was a wooden frame, looking just like the skeleton of an Iron age hut together with a collection of wood carvings on a smallholding on the edge of Burscough, we carried on to the town bidge and moored there. Myra went off to Tesco's, whilst I spoke to Bill and Anne Sibley on Minnehaha, who will be part of the convoy across the Mersey.

A few minutes out of Burscough, you have fields on both sides of the canal, almost devoid of hedges, large windswept areas with machinery to match. A terrace of cottages along the canal bank had the front missing from one of them, I hope that it was a deliberate act of restoration.

We moored at Scarisbrick opposite the Mersey Motor Boat Club; Duncan met us and drove us to his house where Myra put the washing in their machine, we had a bath each and then Pauline provided a meal for us. Thank you both, a lovely gesture and one that was much appreciated.

Saturday 12 June 2010