Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❸

Summer Cruise 2017 (13)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Six go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Heavy Metal (BellOil) Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

 
Litherland Swing Bridge to Salthouse Dock


Date:  03/08/2017

Overnight the weather  was cold and windy. By morning the wind was still building and we were battered by a heavy downpour at first light.

Morning:  We prepared for our departure at 10:30. Topping up water tanks. Nb Diligent Too joined us at the top lock. After having their boats ropes cut in the night.  Patrick and his partner were people we had met previously and along with Nb October were part of a trio of boats who shared an entertaining trip along the south Oxford canal and onto the Thames three years previously.


Afternoon:  At 1:30 pm which was our appointed time we started down the lock flight into the Liverpool docks. The wind was making it difficult to thread our way through the pounds. At the 3rd lock the wind direction changed altogether as it was being funnelled through a large railway arch.  Three tunnels (St Nicholas Tunnel, Cunard Tunnel and Museum Tunnel) and what is known as "Sid's Ditch" and we were ready to enter the maze of docks and passages.

The trip through the dock complex was aided by 'Sid' of Sid's ditch fame. Sid is a friendly member of the waterways team. Like the typical 'Scouser' Sid kept us entertained with a running commentary. On what was and what used to be.  The wind was blowing a gale and it required the boats to be powered forcefully through the system. We were soon moored up in our berth by 3pm.


Evening: Time to relax after our 13 day trip. Soon everyone was sat around in a large group. Sharing our experiences of the trip from Hawne Basin to Salthouse Dock.

Wildlife:  Rat!

Birds: House Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.
Butterflies: Common White and Red Admiral.

Today's Total:

Miles: 5.4
Locks: 6
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 4.5


Accumulated Total:  

Miles: 2894.7
Locks: 1819
Swing / Lift Bridges: 382
Tunnels: 74
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3889.6