Halsall - again

Today's Canal - Leeds and Liverpool

For the first time in a while we had a pretty hot day from start to finish!

We went to the 10 am service at St Andrew's Church, parish church for Maghull. We walked along the towpath to the next swing bridge and then along a road to the church, taking about 15 minutes altogether,

There was no mention on the web site but it turned out to be a parade service for uniformed organisations - in this case two lots of brownies and one group of Rainbows. 

We were welcomed and several people thought to talk to us both before and after. The service entirely used material projected onto three screens and was very well suited to the youngsters present. There was a good group of the congregation as well, around 70 in total. Apart from the 'parades' most were from amore senior generation!

Afterwards we had a cup of coffee in the adjoining hall and chatted to several more of the congregation.

There has been a church on this site from the 13C - some parts remain and are used occasionally. In its grounds a new church was constructed and opened in 1880 with several late 20C additions including a hall. Three churches in Maghull and Melling form a team ministry. As it happens, the person who took the service last week at Halsall is being licenced as the Rector here next Saturday!

Back at the boat we moved on a short distance to the swing footbridge close to Morrisons and, before having lunch, we stocked up - we will be able to do more when we get to Burscough but  we had no potatoes for our roast this evening!

We then had lunch before starting again, then passing through the swing bridge where Mike had help from a little girl who was taking an interest in the canal. Watched closely by her dad, she was able to push the bridge almost on her own - this one is exceptionally easy to move.

He also had help from two children and grand parents (?) at the next road bridge - this one needed a bit more of a push and so there were four of us on the arm! They, and watching parents, seemed very pleased to have had the opportunity.

At several points as we passed through Haskayne we caught glimpses of a Red Arrows display that was the closing item in this year's Southport Air Show.

We moored at the same place as on the way in.

6.5 Miles - 0 Locks

Out of Liverpool

Today's Navigations - Liverpool Link, Leeds and Liverpool

Today was our booked date for leaving Salthouse Dock and returning back the way we came. and although it had rained a little overnight was grey when we awoke, the sky cleared quickly and we had bright blue skies for the rest  of the day.

The start time, from Mann Island Lock just around the corner was 8 am and Sid had made it clear that we should not be late! In fact, we readied ourselves to head for the bridge into Albert Dock and let go just as the clock on the Liver Building said 7.45. Although we were the first away, others started soon after.

The Mann Island Lock was set ready for us and we were able to go straight in. Soon after the net boat arrived but it was a wide beam so could not join us. We waited and waited with no sign of a lock buddy so we prepared to go through, despite Sid's strict instructions to wait for someone. No sooner had we started but Sid arrived and sharply told us to wait - another boat was coming! In fact it was still some minutes before Leo arrived!  Never mind - they made excellent companions, we had much in common as far as boating is concerned. They too are going across to the Lancaster, but a day later although returning on the same day.

In between the three tunnels on the section to Princes Lock there are good views of the iconic buildings and we could get a better close up of the tower we climbed yesterday.

Leaving Princes Lock.

There was then a brief, partial glimpse of the latest cruise ship that had arrived in the early hours of this morning.

On the way in. we were not sure what was being built here but we now know that this will be the new Isle of Man Ferry Terminal.

The wind was blowing quite strongly although not as much as on the way in. But it was a direct head wind and we noticeably slowed as we made our way through Sid's Ditch.

At Victoria Tower we turned right and could see another construction site - again we now know that this is the new Everton football arena, somewhat controversial but in an area that really did need something exciting doing with it.

The wind was now sideways and it took a little care as we headed towards the low and narrow bridge immediately below the four Stanley Dock locks.

There was not as large a team of volunteers as when we arrived but those on the rota today were just as friendly and helpful. However, we did have to work some of the locks ourselves.

We emerged from the top lock and turned onto the main line of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Most of the features we noted on the way in. but this time did manage a better picture of Irlam House. But the sunshine could not hide the fact that the building is sorely in need of a renovation and once again to be used.

We made as good as pace as we could because we knew that, even without any delays, it would be past 1 o'clock before we reached Handcock's Swing Bridge which is closed to boaters from 2 until 6.

We were very much in need of an elsan point and the service block at Litherland is the only option before Burscough. We emptied our three cassettes and left as quickly as possible - it has not improved!

One further swing bride before our check point - Netherton. As we came in to the side at the bridge landing just before the bridge we picked up rubbish on our prop, losing almost all control. It seemed inevitable that we would crash into the bridge but in the end came to a halt just in time. However, with no ability to keep the  boat in position we were soon blown to the opposite bank where even more rubbish had been deposited.

Mike managed to clear the prop - a piece of carpet was the worst offender but there was plenty else including some thick wire! Not all had been cleared but we made reasonable progress and arrived at Handcock's with 40 minutes to spare.

We moored for lunch as soon as were through. More rubbish collected around the prop in the process and before setting off again, another trip down the weed hatch was needed with a further miscellany of detritus. Although slightly less volume it took over twice as long to remove as little came away in one piece. It was a matter of attrition,

We were aiming to reach Maghull for our next mooring so that we could walk to the parish church in the morning.

The isolated Holmes swing bridge was much kinder to our prop and we were able to tie up at the same spot as on the way in in good time.

13.8 Miles - 6  Locks

Liver Building Tour

No navigation today

We booked tickets online yesterday for the 10:30 visit to the Liver Building, just a short distance along the waterfront from Salthouse Dock.

We has to be there 15 minutes ahead of the start time so set off in good time - first passing the particular shapes of the offices on Mann Island.

On the next building we were taken aback by this memorial to those men who died during the construction of the first Mersey Tunnel. This facility, today used by thousands going about their daily work probably without a thought that 17 lost their lives.

We had to walk almost all around the Liver Building before we found the right entrance! Down some steps via an unassuming gate in some railings and we checked in with time to look at the small exhibition about the origins of the building. For many people the building is all about the two liver birds that sit atop the clock towers at either end. They are probably mythical but have been named Bella and Bertie - one looks out to sea and the other towards the city. The original design was by Carl Bernard Bartels,  a sculptor born in Stuttgart who mover to London when he was 21. He won the competition for the design. Just 3 years after the design was completed war broke out and he was interned before being set back to Germany. Only recently has his contribution to the history - even identity - of the city been once again properly recognised.

A model of the building gave us a good idea of its overall shape. It was one of the first to be built in reinforced concrete although the outside is clad in granite blocks.

The first part of the tour took us up to the 10th floor where there is a viewing platform just below the huge clock faces. This was the easy part of the ascent as we were whisked up in a lift, four at a time. We had time to start to take in the very varied skyline with so many well-known buildings to be spotted.

Immediately below, a Mersey ferry making a turn to come alongside the terminal facility

Necks craned we could look up at one of the flour clock faces - three on this tower and one one the other.

Now came the hard part - climbing up the 124 steps of the service staircase. Initially we went up as far as the inside of the clock faces. Although they are illuminated to make them look transparent in fact they are not. We had a 10 minute audio-visual show that gives an impression of the history of the building and the area around it.

The stairs became narrower as we completed the climb to the 15th floor and out onto the gallery that is the 360 view of the city. Here are some images:

The arrow indicates where Alchemy is moored.

The above is the way we came in along the Link on Wednesday

We were given a good amount of time to take it all in and then just a couple of backward glimpses before going back down to the 10th floor and the lift down to the bottom. We were quite impressed with the ay in which the tour, especially going up, was paced with several stages to allow us to regain our breath (quite a few of the party appreciated that!)

Back at ground level we wandered across to the riverside and took in some more of the significant views and features, including the Liverpool Museum.

The Isle of Man Ferry setting off on its journey across to . . .  the Isle of Man!

All three Graces.

The Titanic memorial is especially dedicated to the men in the engine room who died on that fateful day.

Liverpool is now a regular port of call for giant cruise ships - the next is due in tomorrow. The terminal has been created to allow passengers to disembark straight onto the coaches taking to their local tours.

When we were looking down from the Liver Building we were indicated St Nicks, the now the parish church of Liverpool. 

When built, it was one the edge of the river and only later were the docks created by reclaiming space out from the banks. This picture was on display inside  the church.

Much of the then church was destroyed by war time bombing leaving little but the tower. The present structure was built very soon after peace was restored and opened in 1952.

In the side chapel there is at the moment a small exhibition of 30 icons by Fr Justin Venn, an Orthodox priest.

Finally we walked back to the boat for lunch. This chap had created his sand sculpture since first thing this morning - he was not here yesterday.

Mike had tried to renew his passport when we were at home last time. However, he now received an email saying that the photo had been rejected- this is an automated system and the reason was not obvious. It did not seem to be very different from what he had submitted last time. To save further difficulty he discovered a shop offering to take an acceptable photo for just £7.99. They were  not too far away. close to Liverpool Central station. So he walked up and the picture was taken straight away (no smiling allowed!) and emailed to him.

Whilst still in the shop was able to upload it the passport website and was rewarded by and immediate report that it was 'very good'. Just after leaving the shop an email arrived saying that the application had been approved and the new passport was being set to be printed!

After he returned, Christine went out to visit the nearby branch of John Lewis and picked up a few items, including a black denim jacket much reduced in a sale.

0 Miles - 0 Locks

Shopping, Eating and Concert

No navigation today!

It was a grey yet almost dry day but not especially photogenic as we spent the day in the city centre.

We began by walking up to the shops which begin almost just the other side of the waterfront main road. The water feature looks as if it has had a makeover.

Christine was after a couple of thinner tops for use on the boat and found them a little surprisingly in Millets at a bargain price! 

Mike was in need of a visit to M and S as he has not replenished his trouser store since before the pandemic! He was allowed to buy three pairs.

Whilst we were in that store Christine also managed to replace her main handbag (which is also showing signs of dating back to pre Covid) and a smaller one for 'just visiting'.

Finally we went to Argos to replace the little alarm clock on the boat which, despite being fed a new battery - twice - persistently refused to keep up with real time.

We had an extended lunch at Bon Pan, a Pan Asian buffet style restaurant almost opposite Lime Street station. Whilst it would not be described a haute cuisine it was just what we were expecting and looking for - a wide range of dishes and 'all you can eat'. All this was because we had bought tickets for a concert tonight so no time to cook a meal on the boat.

After lunch we walked back to the boat, passing this sculpture on the way. There are lots of sculptures decorating the city centre and dockside and we forgot to make a note of what this one depicts!

After a chill-out we had a small snack and then set off for the Philharmonic Hall. We had checked out earlier that we could get a bus from just across the road from the boat at the main bus station that took us almost to the door with a helpful driver pointing out to us when we had arrived.

Once inside we found our seats. We were handed a small sheet listing the orchestra and with a QR code to download the music notes. No programmes on sale these days!

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic were being conducted by their former resident conductor who had moved on just last year. He was obviously popular with both the players and the local audience. The music had been chosen to reflect his Russian heritage. In today's geo-political climate it was good to see that this music can still be listened to.

The first part of the concert began with a short piece by a lesser known composer, Baba-Yaga by Liadov. Lively but quite short and seemed to reflect his career history as rather unfulfilled by his inherent laziness!

The main first half piece was Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No 1, much of which was written when he was being sidelined under the Stalin regime and only published after its end. It is rightly a well-liked piece, covering the gamut of emotions and requiring the soloist to be able to switch from sharp, jarring notes to sweet. reflective ones in an instant. It was very easy to recognise the emotion and torment that the composer had to undergo.

After the interval came the final piece, Rimsky-Korsakov's  Scheherazade. This well-known but impressive piece give the listener plenty of opportunity to let their imagination conjure up all sorts of images as every part of the large orchestra play their parts, individually and together. The RLPO are able to create amazing tones and emotions with, at times, only just one or two sections playing.

At the end there was a justifiably warm response to the conductor from all around the hall. We really enjoyed every part of the concert. We caught a bus from just outside and were soon walking back to the boat. With little cloud tonight there was more light left in the day than recently and we could see across Salthouse Dock.

0 Miles - 0 Locks