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.
