A complete rip off....sheer greed is the only way I can describe it.

Just want to start this post with a rant. Last week any boat wanting to empty their Elsan only had to take a short cruise to the Marina and empty it for free. This week a charge has been added. Okay not a problem if it's only a couple of quid. But.....at £10 a cassette....yes EACH CASSETTE its a complete rip off! So anyone visiting Salthouse dock make sure you have empty cassettes before arriving or be prepared to part with a considerable amount of money! Your much better off if you have a pump out, it's a much more acceptable price at £15.

Monday 20th

How could anything seem to enjoy the atrocious weather we had this morning. We hunkered down listening to the pounding of the rain on the cabin top and said "No way are we going out in that"! But something was revelling in all that rain and not one you would normally expect. A Pigeon.

Wing up and letting the rain wash over it almost like a shower.

Having poked my head out to photograph the pigeon and got soaked doing it, I noticed some rubbish piled onto the pontoon. Now, on the board by the gates to the berths is a notice asking boaters not to place the bags on the pontoon but on their boats where it would be collected every morning. Looked like the local Gulls had a field day as one of the bags contents had spilled over the pontoon. (or of course it might have been a rat but we will never know) Anyway when I next looked out the overspill had been removed, either by the boater or taken by the Gulls as breakfast..

Because of the rain we put off venturing out until it stopped so it was after 10am when we left for the Maritime Museum. Titanic story and the sinking of the Lusitania was the main event but plenty to see bringing the nautical history to life. The battle for the Atlantic during WW11 was a particularly good read with some very good exhibits.

Model of the Titanic

Just a few of the salvaged items from the Titanic

British Mark V111 torpedo

From L to R :- First Mate 1860, Stewardess 1950's, Ships Master 2000, Ordinary Seaman 1910, Fireman 1900's

Compound engine from paddle steamer Firefly.  Driven by 12 horsepower.

 We were at a bit of a loose end after the visit. Only took a couple of hours to get round and with no plan for the rest of the day we walked back to the Chinese quarter expecting some colourful shops. Lots of eateries but as for shops, forget it.

So we started back to FS but on route were intrigued by the ruins of St Lukes church. Shame we couldn't go in for a look as all the gates were locked and taking a photo was difficult as I had to poke the camera through the railings. People were inside but it was a private tour and one we were not allowed to join. Looking on the web later I found out this church had been badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, and remained as a roofless shell ever since. It now stands as a memorial to those who were lost in the war.

Affectionately called by the locals 'The Bombed Out Church'

We had another slight detour when we spied a Sports Direct with an '80% off' tag prices today. Couldn't resist going in and came away with a new rucksack, jogging bottoms and a waterproof, breathable coat both for me.

And back at FS we had a new neighbour, Gary and Sarah, Nb Stealth.  Just got to know Rich and Andy (Carpe Diem) and they go and move across the way onto another pontoon....Is it something we said????

Plenty of Jelly fish seen today and one small salt water fish.