Time to leave and the road swing bridge was opened for us and we were off. We had been warned by other boaters we have met in the past few weeks who had been down here earlier in the year that there was a lot of rubbish in the water that would cause us problems. We kept waiting but although there were lots of floating plastic bottles we have seem worse places.
In addition, in the more than 40 years since we last came this way, most of the canalside has been developed as housing and it was only the last part before the Eldonian Basin where we saw much in the way of a former industrial landscape.
As we left the overnight mooring we were second in line - we ended up last by the end of the trip!
The first part of the trip passes alongside Aintree race course but trees and fencing have now established themselves and we could see almost nothing from the canal. However, they greenery has done much to soften the landscape.
As can be seen, the day was sunny and reasonably warm but a fairly strong breeze prevented us from getting too hot.
We mentioned plastic bottle but we are glad that we missed the heavy beer keg!
The last swing bridge is bridge 6 and we had a short wait whilst our escort opened it for us.
A country park - to the left of this picture - provided some relief from the urban scenery. On a sunny weekend there plenty of families out for a stroll.
Although we were never far from the River Mersey, this was one of the few places where we could see much evidence. We stopped briefly at the Litherland Depot, principally to empty the elsan but this meant that we were now second to last in the queue.
A long fence had this unusual (?unique?) sign - not sure what prompted it but obviously there was a specific problem some time in the past. No plastic bags here today - just in the water!
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| Real Honey? |
Just one example of older canal warehouse - sorry but the sun was in the wrong direction for a better photo!
As we neared Stanley Locks we passed under several very robust looking iron bridges - with plaques on two of them recording that they were erected by the Health Committee.
Waiting for us were two CaRT escort staff who saw us through the flight of four locks. At the bottom, the alignment of the nearby bridge and the exit from the lock meant that we were now last!
A huge derelict former tobacco warehouse dominates the scene from the bottom lock and through the first of the docks.
Once we were through and looked back at the exit into the docks it seemed impossibly diminutive!
Initially we were heading towards the river but, after passing through three docks we turned right, just in front of the Victoria Clock Tower, and then ran parallel with the river, not far from the waterfront. As we made this this turn there was an ominous change in the sound of the engine but we continued on, although it was clear that there was something caught on the prop.
The route is well marked with buoys so it is easy to follow the route even though on the map it looks rather complicated.
The next section seems to have been rescued from a dock which otherwise had been filled in.
By now we were moving ever more slowly so we had to pause underneath one of the bridges so that Mike could take a trip down the weed hatch. At least the water in the docks is very clear and he could instantly see the mess of tangled plastic that needed to be removed. Fortunately it came away quite quickly as the boat in front was still waiting for us at the Princess Lock. This one we had to operate ourselves.
There now followed a series of short tunnels as the canal threaded its way through the near public area in front of the landmark buildings such as the Live Building and the Liverpool Museum.
We met our escort yet again at Mann Island Lock which only drops down about 300mm. This is then followed by the Half Tide Gate (operated by the harbourmaster) which let us into Albert Dock. We were given new instructions about where to moor as booms are across the entrance to Salthouse Dock in an attempt to contain the diesel pollution. Some did seem to have escaped.
We found one of the few available pontoons and tied up. Time then to work out how we are going to sort out tomorrow's logistics as, at first, the CaRT staff were expecting that we would move our own boat into Salthouse some time tomorrow or Wednesday. We had to explain that we would not be here so other options had to be explored. also, we had to sort out how we can unload luggage to the car in the morning. It does seem that it would have been better not to do a home run from here but we live and learn!
Time then to wander around the docks, taking a good look around the free galleries at the Liverpool Tate. We have to admit that the works on display, even with their accompanying explanations, were often quite a challenge to our sense of what is art.
A further wander along the waterfront followed - some interesting outdoor sculptures provided a temporary backdrop to an ice cream eating seat! this one, given to the city by the Mormon Church, is of a young family representing the many who emigrated to America and ships leaving from these docks.
We checked out the Mersey Ferry details, in time to watch one departing from the landing stage. The only disappointing part of the day was that Mike's Nexus tablet stopped working mid morning. That and the problems with his new phone . technology, arggh!
11.4 miles - 6 locks
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