Days out and in for the football

Sunday 21^st April to Monday 22^nd April 2013

Sunday wasn't a day up to the usual weather standards we had become used to – rain had appeared during the early morning and decided to hang around for a bit, so we weren’t in too much of a hurry to be going anywhere.

Diane thought that a re-visit to the Maritime Museum might be worth a look, but we quickly decided that as we had seen this before we would be quickly be bored and it came to pass that that was true.

We wandered around the docks a bit before returning to the boat, but it was already early afternoon.

A snap of brilliance ensued and we headed off to Liverpool One – to the Sports Bar we thought, there is some interesting football on this afternoon and so there was and so we stayed in The Bierkellar – why hadn’t we discovered this earlier.

We managed to find seats and a little while later the other occupant of the table had decided to leave – so we had the whole table.

In the meantime Tottenham had scored 3 goals in 7 minutes to take the match against Man City 3-1; things were looking good for United the following night.

There were a few people who left, but mainly there was an influx and the whole area was pretty crowded – Diane had already texted to Paul and Elaine about it and they were soon there and had brought Leonie and Ray along with them.

There were sat to see the Liverpool v Chelsea game (I was hoping for a draw – and it eventuated).

The atmosphere was incredible – a bit like being at the match only with plenty of beer.

Monday had been pencilled into the diary to visit Port Sunlight and then onto Chester for a short visit.

Leonie and Ray decided to join us and after an initial setback where we missed the disembarkation from the ferry at Woodside we continued by train.

built in Australia - one day we will get on it to go to the Isle of Man

Banjo didn't cope too well with the ferry

Port Sunlight was the site of the first planned factory for Lever Brothers and their soap manufacture, but more than this it was a design village with housing for all of the workers as well as activities and buildings for the leisure of the people who lived there.

We had previously seen other such benevolent outlooks from the factory owners but this was the first that went as far as it did – with an emphasis on people being able to get a formal education; being able to better themselves; living in a village, not like a terrace house environment but with space and generous surrounds and backyards to be able to properly relax. All of the houses are different – a similar design, but the exteriors are different giving a peaceful feel to everything – something you can experience even today.

not your average workers cottages

lovely and open

The same ticket that covered our doomed ferry ride and the train to Port Sunlight allowed us to go through to Chester – a place we have visited many times and one that we especially like – but it was a first for Leonie and Ray.

Along the towpath down to the three-rise staircase locks and a short walk along the walls of the original city; down through the streets and along the rows; for us it ia a place that we do know so well and now a chance to show a small part – an appetiser – to others.

The deep cutting through solid rock - cut by hand

at the top of the three-rise staircase

classic Chester

Before long it was back on the train for the return journey to Liverpool; back to the docks; and a chance to relax before we were back to the Bierkellar for the big match – Man United v Aston Villa – would the title race be over after the 90 minutes.

It was over inside 38 minutes with a RVP hat-trick – a 3-0 win, a 20^th title, all the pressure now off.

Silent Sunday 5

Maintenance

Saturday 20^th April 2013

A day of rest and relaxation after a late night – you must be joking – Saturday has become maintenance day; so after a bit of a sleep-in; a late breakfast and a later brunch after some shopping at Tesco, it was overalls on, get the vacuum cleaner out (for she) and the engine bay was opened up.

Check the batteries; oil level; radiator check; gear oil check – all OK; no water in the water separator.

But the rear seal gland needed some adjustment and there was a bit of water/glycol in the bilge – presumably from some of the work done on the diesel heater by Ed earlier this month and some of the overflow from the calorifier.

There was about 10 litres of water overall which took a little time to clean out.

The bilge floor looked better; spread out a bag of new kitty litter below the engine block.

We had a chance to catch up some more with Leonie and Ray.

Whilst most of the engine bay work was being done, Diane was busy rearranging the lounge and sorting out some of the accumulated things that needed find other places to be.

It took most of the afternoon to finish it all, but it is all done and very glad we are – so time for a bit of a rest; put up the feet; and fall asleep in front of the TV.

Big Night Out

Friday 19^th April 2013

We had a full day to explore today and one of the special things that we had wanted to view were the statues in the sea at Crosbie.

On our way into Liverpool last week we learnt of the SaveAway tickets which allowed all day travel after 9:30am (on weekdays) and all day on the weekend – we find them good value.

So today, armed with out travel everywhere tickets we headed off – the three of us.

Banjo’s first steps off the boat (or rather non-steps) were into thin air and he fell straight into the water – it was harder for him to miss the pontoon than not.

His swimming is getting better; Diane was a bit concerned but when I took my time responding she just knelt down and dragged him out – at the same time avoiding the shake and spray of the wet dog.

Roughly drying off the stupid mutt; a change of coat; a further bit more drying and we could now leave.

It was necessary to check and make sure of the low tide times at Crosbie beach to make sure that the statues would be visible – 12:40pm for today.

But first we would take the train to Southport – we had been there before, but wanted to visit again – it is a lovely town, very elegant and definitely with the tourists in mind for the summer months.

Onto the platform, no problems (even with Banjo); onto the train, no problems – apart from Banjo wanting to be picked up – but the smell of eau-de-wet-dog was too much – so he was relegated to the floor.

A bit of a wander around Southport; coffee; Diane needed to get some shopping as soon as she saw a Morrisons – there are just some things that you can only get at certain places so you take the opportunity.

These two pictures I just had to include

No chance of parking here

don't go for the peas and carrots - see the
two menu items including Homemade Meat,
and Potato(e) pie (and gravy) - the peas and
carrots will cost you 2.30 pounds

Back onto the train – love this unlimited travel – and we headed for Hall Road station.

It was just a short walk to the beach area and Diane had yet again made a good choice of location to get to – the statues seemed to start their guarding of the shoreline here and extended down towards Crosbie.

The tide was definitely way out – mmm we can read tide tides – so we were able to venture out over the sands to see some of those further away.

Problem was that you needed to be careful where you tread – first Banjo and then I plonked our feet into thick mud – for Banjo it was 2 pairs of mud socks and for me a pair of muddy boots – it was not at all easy or successful to clean it off.

Banjo - aka "socks"

This was a real beach with real sand and no rocks, so walking along was easy and in the sun was really enjoyable.

Diane just wanted to point something out -
I think she was a bit preoccupied

much more dignified

Lunch by the seaside seemed appropriate; chatting with a couple of locals; people walking; running; cycling past – appreciating the warmer weather.

We reached Crosbie – about 2-3 miles on from where we started – all along the way the statues maintained their omnipresence over the sands – staring out to sea – what were they searching for?

pick out the real people from the statues

Now time to return to back to the city – which station is closer – we naturally chose the further one – it gave a chance to walk a bit further and see more of the townscape.

church at Crosbie

Where we started was of a socio-economic status not the same as the area where we finally boarded the train – an insight to the area around Liverpool in a small way.

By the time that we arrived back at the boat, via Boots to pick up Diane’s prescriptions, we were a bit exhausted – Diane will tell you we had walked 100 miles but probably closer to about 5-6 miles. Even the dog was tired – Banjo was flat out asleep on the train and dropped off again once we made it back.

We had arranged with Paul and Elaine that we might venture out this evening and show Leonie and Ray (nb Fire Fly) a little of Liverpool and get to know them a bit better, so about 6pm it was time for more walking.

Paul needed cash from the ATM and obviously
"Charlie's 'grannies'" provided the protection

Drinks and dinner at one pub – remember it is a Friday night, after work – so it was quite full, but the dining area was a bit less busy.

As I have tried to do on many occasions, it is important to embrace the local culture and cuisine – a bit of the old “when in Rome..” – so when the menu gave the option of Scouse, this had to be the option to choose.

It was really nice – a thick stew of lamb, potatoes and carrots – the taste was wonderful – I suspect that it may not necessarily have been the same 100 years ago.

We felt it time to move on and seek out a another pub – this one being the Victoria Cross – this one with some live football – Hull v Bristol City and the other an FA Youth Cup semi-final – we had a bit of a sport fix that we needed – well at least Paul and I (maybe Diane as well).

Ray and Leonie (nb Fire Fly)

Elaine and Paul (in natural pose with beer in hand)

By the time the match ended it was certainly way past my bedtime but we headed off for a bit of a nightcap – so back to The Pumphouse, which was busy as usual.

Some people left, we found a few seats; some more left; we took over one end of the table; our neighbours were very polite and it transpired that they were from Sweden – two brothers each with their son (cousins, of course) – they were here in Liverpool because of their love of The Beatles and this was their first trip here together to see the sights and sounds of the band.

Luckily their English was better than our Swedish – lovely guys even if the guy that was talking to us the most was a bit on the side of inebriation – but he was enjoying his trip here for the weekend.

So a bit before midnight we decided that it had been a lovely evening and just a short walk down the ramp and we were home – it didn’t take long before we were asleep.



No travel today

Problems with wind !!

Thursday 18^th April 2013

What a night it was last night – we were certainly rocking and rolling – the weather information was saying wind gusting up to 96 km/h and it felt every bit like that.

It was a difficult night to sleep and I was outside a couple of times to make sure the ropes were OK and to move some fenders around after we lost a tyre – and to stop the boat banging against the pontoon.

Fortunately we didn’t lose anything from the top of the boat; sensibly I put the TV aerial down to stop that being lost.

When daylight came the wind had died down quite a lot but it wasn’t until nearly lunch time that it felt calmer – at least inside the boat.

When we did venture out for a walk, to go to Boots to make sure that they had received Diane’s prescriptions from her doctor in Watford (they had), the wind really caught us again – still not as bad as last night but it meant we travelled a lot faster with it than against it.

The sun was out again and it was pleasant with it coming in through the windows.

We have noticed that the boat is considerably warmer these days and the heater is only coming on for about an hour in the morning – just enough for hot water for the day.

We did learn something new today – when the washing machine stopped suddenly mid-cycle – it wasn’t the power (plenty on the meter); it wasn’t any switches tripped out; there wasn’t a reset needed on the machine – Diane was checking every thing and then turned the sink tap on – no water – the tank was empty (we had been getting ready to fill up – now just a little sooner).

Beatles

Wednesday 17^th April 2013

The booking had been made through the TIC at the docks and we were looking forward to it – a was in fact National Trust meets The Beatles.

A chance to see through the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Obediently we all assembled at the nominated point; the driver duly arrived and checked us off and we boarded the mini-bus – just a maximum of 15 people.

We were not permitted to take cameras, bags or coats through either of the houses – Health and Safety was the reason – but in reality it was that they didn’t want photographs taken; anything broken by swinging bags and coats and didn’t want anything knicked.

Our first stop was to Mendips – where John Lennon grew up with his aunt and uncle.

It was a sizeable house in a good area – very much middle class; but not without tragedy which seem to follow famous people – his uncle, who had become his father-figure dies when John was only 15.

Outside "Mendips" - where John Lennon grew up

A large garden was also part of the property and much of the interior was as it would have been during the 1950’s.

Next we took the short trip around to Paul’s house – in a traditional working class area – council house – and very much different.

Paul McCartney's house in the 50's and early 60's

Paul, like John, experienced tragedy with his mother dying when Paul was only 14.

Here it seemed that even in that adversity, his father was supportive of the musical talents of the young Paul.

We heard about many of the times when both of these to-be-famous people would get together, instruments in hand and work together on songs which we all know today.

George Harrison came in through his friendship with Paul.

It was quite a windy day today and we were blown along as we tried to walk back to the boat after being dropped back at the docks.

Later in the day we caught up with Elaine and Paul and went in search of a few pubs for a drink – O'Neill’s was not quite right, but across the road. The Empire hit the spot and about 3 hours later we walked back after an enjoyable time – and we hadn’t over-imbibed.

By that time the wind had got up – it was incredibly strong and blowing us all over the place – what a night we were in for.

Liverpool - The Sunshine capital

Saturday 13^th April to Tuesday 16^th April 2013

No Travel

It has almost been just like summer since we have arrived – well I should say just like an English summer.

We awoke on Saturday to glorious blue skies and bright sunshine – the wind was still up a bit and just on the colder side but the sun more than made up for it.

by day

and by night

We had made up our minds before coming into Liverpool to see more National Trust properties and armed with information from Meagan (nb Moonshadow) we headed off to see The Hardmans’ House – all that we knew was that the Hardmans were photographers of renown.

Spread over 4 floors, it shows the lives of 2 people so devoted to their love of landscape photography and to the business of portrait photography that seemingly everything else is almost secondary – with it being such a new property to the National Trust collection and the habit of the Hardmans’ need to not throw anything out, there is a huge amount of information about the lives and lifestyle of these people and about the house – well worth a visit.

Before the tour of the house, we had walked about in bright full sunshine and when we emerged the skies had clouded over with that feeling of imminent rain, but we were relieved that it didn’t eventuate, although it was much colder without the sun.

Having been to Liverpool before we found it much easier navigating our way around and being able to see more places that we had missed last year – never-the-less we did need to go back to the boat for a bit of a rest (must be getting old) – by which time the predicted increase in wind strength appeared and we decided to stay put for a bit – only venturing out for a walk for Banjo around the docks.

Sunday was certainly the worst of the days, although it could hardly be described as a bad day – especially in view of the weather of the past month – but overcast conditions took any chance of any sunshine away and the occasional shower had us with coats on whenever we did venture out.

We were expecting Elaine and Paul in today – I must say I am glad that it was they and not us with the windy conditions. Elaine messaged us to say when they had escaped the last of the Stanley Locks, so we were off to capture the last part of their travels into the docks. We met them just as they came into Princes Lock and then onward to their mooring up.

nearly there

all smiles now that the hard part was over

After a chance to freshen up we were all off to lunch and then not much else for the rest of the day – it was not the best of the days so far here.

the ferry struggled in the wind as well

Monday redeemed the weather stakes – the sunshine was streaming in through the windows and it was so warm that we actually needed to close some of the curtains.

I had wanted to head off to Argos to pick up another cheap watch – I had smashed the last one on the second last lock of the Rochdale 9 in Manchester over a week ago and felt slightly less than fully clothed without one – although I had got into the habit of using the time on the phone – not the best thing to do when cruising.

But before that could happen we had to get a pumpout – by Diane’s calculations it was essentially full (meaning that we had another 3-4 days to go); so she rang the marina and they sent along the little boat to do a mobile pumpout – they guy pulled up alongside; passed the hose out; added a ₤1 to the meter; we did the pumpout and he was away in next to no time – and all for ₤10 – plus we have a extra 92p credit on the meter.

We will get another pumpout before we leave and if the diesel price is OK he can also do a mobile fill – how good is that? No tricky manoeuvring in these winds – everything done at the mooring.

Diane had wanted to get some more travel information and in the end we picked up some Saveaway tickets for the public transport system – unlimited travel on trains, buses and ferries – we have the intention of heading up to Crosbie and Southport sometime this week.

After that we had lunch out at The Slug and Lettuce – they have a 50% off offer on all food on Mondays – can’t pass that up.

Then it was back to the boat, walk the dog and I needed to get some work done – so that Diane could spend it all for me.

The bright sunny weather and mild air temperature continued way into the afternoon and early evening before it cooled slightly, but the weather this week definitely reminds of what the summer was like in 2011 – last year was just a bit of rubbish.

Maybe we have bypassed spring and headed straight to summer in April and by June/July it will be cold and raining again (like last year).

The weather stayed with us for Tuesday – bright skies, some clouds but warm with a cooling wind – sounds a bit like a weather report, which is exactly what it is.

the gulls here look bigger and meaner

..and the pigeons are nasty too - look at the dmage to that button

We decided to have a bit of a relaxing day – me doing some work and Diane shopping – I was enjoying getting some work out of the way – did I say relaxing day – mmm!!

Ever since I had laid the tiles in the kitchen it had been difficult to keep them clean – anyone suggesting white on the floor in a boat with a dog should be committed. It was nigh on impossible and when we were in Stoke we bought some new flooring – a timber effect – I had a couple of hours spare, at least it was suggested to me that I did, and it would be nice to get a job from the list out of the way – what better way to be relaxed than relaying a kitchen floor.

At least it is now done and I definitely look forward to my next relaxed moment – I’m keeping quiet when that happens!

Silent Sunday 4

Salthouse Dock

Friday 12^th April 2013

12 miles, 6 locks, 3 tunnels, 2 swing bridges for today

Totals: 1553 Miles, 1255 Locks, 53 Tunnels, 26 Lift Bridges, 110 Swing Bridge

Having completed the trip into Liverpool’s docks last year there was a lack of apprehension about the journey, but there was a degree of excited expectation – it really is a magnificent sight and feeling to cruise through the old docks area; there is a smell of salt air about, seagulls overhead and of course being dwarfed by some of the other vessels about.

There were two other boats to come down with us – both single-handers – Nigel on Slo-Mo-Shun and Jeff on Mullein – we all headed off before 8am to get through the last of the swing bridges that we had to operate – moored up at Bridge 9 and waited a short while before the CaRT guy came along – he would be opening the bridge at 9am – and true to form we were through just after.

It is about 9 miles to the terminus with only the one additional swing bridge to get through – that was opened for us by the CaRT guy.

last year we saw this sign and the fence was littered with
plastic bags of rubbish

this year - all very clear

We didn’t need to get down the weedhatch today, but instead at one stage we could have been a hydrofoil – there was a door lodged under the bow – any wonder we were struggling to get any speed at all.

just one of the very pleasant sights along the way

We managed to get this away and the boat improved; a little later there was more rubbish lodged around the bow – a length of timber, a large industrial sized woven plastic bag and about half a tonne of weed and bulrushes – again it needed to be removed – but whilst it was at the front, it meant the prop was OK.

The weather started off very cloudy and whilst there was no breeze it was a  bit on the coolish side, but by the time we reached the top of the locks (at the terminus) it was really quite sunny.

Diane took the boat down through the locks – sharing them with Jeff (nb Mullein) – we had 4 CaRT volunteers to help us through, but I got off to give them a hand and have a general chat – really great guys and so very friendly.

Then it was out into the old docks area and onwards to the two remaining locks, the three tunnels and through Albert Dock into Salthouse dock and mooring up.

the iconic sight that we see first at the bottom of the locks

just a reminder of how old this area is

nb Mullien behind us - Jeff's first time in so he was happy for us
to show the way

caught in take-off attempt

the Liver Building - Liverpool's iconic building

and a memory of the history of Liverpool

through one of the new tunnels

from one tunnel and onto the next

All done and completed by 1:30pm and the sun was out; we were warm, moored up and completely settled in again.

It is not the same as saying “home again” but there is a large degree of familiarity with the surroundings and feeling comfortable with it all - knowing about it all from last year.

Diane was eager to get a bit of shopping out of the way so we walked the dog and headed out – knowing where things are makes it easy.

Everything purchased, a coffee on the way back and then back aboard.

The mooring is perfect – the sun shining on us all afternoon and the views from both sides are all encompassing.

Very interesting to see the groups of young men and the groups of young women who you just know are not going to feel any better than they are as they arrive; the line of taxis waiting for fares before their customers are too drunk.

But mostly it is the lights on the old buildings and the colours given off that give the whole area a wonderful ambience.

If you have the chance to do it – take it full on !!