Phil Knowles Posted May 14, 2020 Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 Hello. I have been lurking on this forum for a long time, long enough to remember Moley, Maffi and even John Orentas. I thought it was about time I posted something, especially as posts I have been reading keep disappearing into the Politics forum which I currently can't read Anyway, I wondered if anyone on the forum went on the Coal and Cotton Rally. This was a cruise from Leeds to Liverpool organised by BW. It was to be the last time boats would be able to use the commercial docks to access Salthouse dock via the Mersey. The link was supposed to open in 2008 for access, but it was delayed a year. Some of our friends did the whole trip, but we joined at Wigan, via the Leigh Branch We moored at Wigan pier, which was open then. In the Orwell pub we meet to ex-working boaters, Henry and Phyllis. They we taking their boss's boat to Liverpool so that he could cruise it on the Mersey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted May 14, 2020 Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 21 minutes ago, Phil Knowles said: posts I have been reading keep disappearing into the Politics forum which I currently can't read You should be able to with a couple more posts I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 A few days later, boats gathered waiting for BW to open a swing bridge passage to the Eldoinan village was assisted by BW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 The canal approaching Liverpool was not very clean I am not sure how they got that upside down 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 THe flotilla gathered in the Eldonian village ready to go down the Stanley flight and through the commercial docks There were 50+ boats involved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lowe Posted May 14, 2020 Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 As well as the car it looks like someone dumped a load of Kingspan composite roof panels in the cut they can be recycled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 Yes, it was bandit country in 2007, hence the BW escort. More pictures tomorrow, onto the Mersey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 On the 8th June the flotilla was taken down the Stanley flight and assebled in Collingwood and Salisbury docks, before setting off through the commercial docks We had to keep together as there were several swing bridges which the port authorities would only open for a short time. Eventually we arrived at Langton lock. The walls were very high and it was not easy keeping control with a few other boats hanging on to you. Eventually, the gate opened and he Mersey was in front of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 Passing the Victoria Clock Tower and the Three Graces Liverpool Waterfront Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 We had to lookout for the Mersey Ferry Waiting for the half-tide lock to be ready The lock is finally open and boats can go in We had to wait awhile in Canning dock Finally we were able to transit Albert dock on our way to mooring in SAlthouse Dock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 It had been an excellent day. The weather was calm and sunny. The views of Liverpool from the Mersey were stunning and, to cap it all, it was my 60th birthday 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lowe Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 I have been to that dock many times to go aboard the Zebu when it used to be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulJ Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 14/05/2020 at 14:17, Phil Knowles said: Take Five looks alot shinier than when I last saw her-and looks even bigger than I remember her too ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 I think it was the only widebeam present. They wern't all that common in the North in 2007 We all moored for 10 days in Salthouse dock They were building Liverpool One at the time. We were able to explore Liverpool and its surroundings. We visited the tall ships and the assult ship HMS Albion which were moored in the commercial docks and open for visits. We also went to Crosby beach to look at Anthony Gormley's installation "Another Place" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2020 The return journey was more interesting. It was cloudy and there was a bit of a breeze. Exiting the half-tide lock A rather splendid boat Us on the Mersey (photo courtesy of a friend) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2020 A support/rescue vessel provided by HMS Albion. An LCVP Mk5, I think Once again, we had to wait for the lock as a tall ship was leaving. This was a bit more interesting as it was quite breezy and choppy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2020 Finally, we made it back into the commercial docks Passing the assault carrier HMS Albion on the way We had intended to go through the Ribble link, but 2007 was the year of the summer floods and the Ribble was impassable So we went to Bugsworth basin instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Knowles Posted May 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2020 Postscript. We went back to Liverpool via the link in May 2018. The canal was certainly a lot cleaner and easier. Salthouse dock had changed a bit and my boat has changed colour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shagrazzle Posted May 17, 2020 Report Share Posted May 17, 2020 Great pictures....thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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