Scuppered by the weather.

 Friday 24th 

A sunset last night gave a promise of a good day ahead, but the saying 'Red sky at night Shepherds delight' was totally wrong.

As mentioned in yesterdays post we wanted to see the Gormley Figures at Crosby. A number 53 bus was the one to catch and we were told the journey would take roughly 20 minutes. Armed with packed lunch, cameras (including our new toy) and waterproofs we left to catch the 9.34am bus. First bus came but the driver refused to let us on. It was 9.23am and before the accepted 9.30am travel for us bus passers. But the next bus arriving at 9.28am the driver gave us a nod suggesting we could proceed. Not knowing exactly where to get off it wasn't long before we realised that we had missed the stop. Crosby came and went and Ian had a word with the bus driver. He dropped us off at the next stop, pointed to the stop on the opposite side of the road and told us to take the next 53 bus from there making sure we asked the driver where to alight. Doing as we were told, we did get off at the right stop and a short walk later took us to the beach. The tide was right out so all the figures could be seen.

Ian in the dry and then in the wet.

Then the rain started and boy did it rain. We rushed back to the leisure centre on the beach front and decided to sit it out with a Cappuccino or two! Unfortunately it refused to let up so we abandoned the idea of waiting for the tide to come in to watch the figures disappear. Almost back at the bus stop and the 53 came into view so a sudden spurt was called for. This time we got off at the correct stop in Litherland and who should we see at the swing bridge? Sid looking very much like a drowned rat again!! Today 9 boats are expected to go into the dock so it will be a busy afternoon for Sid and the rest of the C&RT lads and what with the continuing rain, will be a miserable one.

This photo was taken during late afternoon. No more rain just lovely blue skies. Why did I take this?? Well health and safety would have a field day if they saw how these men got from cleaning the windows from one side of the row of houses to the next. 

Because the rain scuppered our day out we decided to try again tomorrow. The forecast is for an improving day with only light rain first thing.  Asking Sid if we could stay he told us these moorings were 14 day which, I must say, surprised us somewhat. These are really the only safe moorings until you get down to the dock. No wonder there is not a lot of boat movement from here.

And seen on the beach,

It got the Ragworm

Young Wagtail

  And on arrival back to FS during a lull in the rain a duck trying to shelter her ducklings. Had to go in through the front doors in case we disturbed her.

Then they left.

Farewell Liverpool and shouldnt that be unplugged first?

Were we shocked by the EU result this morning?  Well in this camp it was divided so a lot of discussion between ourselves had been going on for weeks. On one hand it's good that Britain has got it's independence back but on the other hand could we have opened up a can or worms? I expect our argument will continue for a while but both of us are in agreement on one thing, we've made our bed so now we lie on it!

Back to Thursday 23rd

I'd like to say we left on a cold grey morning 'cos that's how we felt leaving this wonderful city but the morning was glorious and a far cry from the rain we experienced when we arrived. As second boat to leave the dock (6 due to leave today) we were only beaten by our neighbour minutes earlier. Mind you they very nearly had a serious mishap.  I had gone to FS's bow to untie when a shout came from nb Scallywags crew member and a sudden hard reverse by the captain. They had only gone and left their cable still plugged into the electric socket. I raced to help them and unplugged it just in time. We had a few 'phew' moments from them and me 'cos goodness knows what damaged would have been done if I hadn't got to it when I did!

C&RT met us at Mann Island lock and we were locked through before 8am. Short handed they asked if the crew from both boats (Ian and Tony) would do the honers at Prince's lock and then lift a paddle ready for the next penning. Having lifted the paddle, crew picked up, it was through the tunnels, along Sid's ditch and then a wait at the bottom of Stanley Locks where we were met by Sid, this time enjoying the sunny weather instead of the torrential rain he endured during our passage to the dock a week ago.

Sid helped us lock up the final 4 locks.

The journey back to Litherland took about an hour. We passed the trolley graveyard and spied a Terrapin sunning itself on a reed bed. At Litherland only one space was to be had so in a way very glad that we were the second boat to leave. We said farewell to John on Scallywag as he continued his journey wanting to reach the deadline of 1pm at the Swing bridges.

May stay for a couple of days. Quite fancy seeing the Antony Gormley figures rising out of the sea and with it only a twenty minute bus ride away seems daft not to.

Trolley graveyard

Litherland looking pretty full

 And seen on this sunny day along Sid's ditch
 

A right royal time.

 Wed 22nd

One more day and we vacate this berth. Quite fancied staying over the weekend so we gave C&RT a bell to see if it was possible. No problem at all but having had our 7 days free mooring  a charge of £20 a day would be forthcoming. We very quickly decided not to!

The local news this morning was full of the Queens visit.  so would have been silly not to try and see her. Both of us have never seen her in the flesh and knowing she would be making an appearance on the balcony of the Town Hall at 12.30pm, we left FS at 11.30 and started making our way to the square. It was already filling up when we arrived but then a good size gap appeared,having been vacated by a small group so very lucky to find that spot relatively near to the balcony We held our place amongst the pushing and shoving of the crowd, refusing to budge and tutting very loudly at those that tried to muscle in. They soon got the message and moved! Our view was slightly off centre  and I worried we wouldn't have the best vantage point, but needn't have worried as I got some fabulous photos.

Traffic diverted

The Royal Standard is flown

And taken from the Queens photo gallery

I'm the one holding the camera. Ian is behind the policeman

She looked stunning, so youthful looking if only I would look that good at her age. She was only on the balcony for a couple of minutes before disappearing from view and the welcome was deafening, cheering, clapping and what a great atmosphere. We then had to fight our way through the crowds to leave. Most stayed wanting to see her after she had emerged from lunch, roughly an hour later. It took what seemed forever for us to get through shuffling forward very slowly. Eventually the crowds thinned and we went off for a spot of lunch ourselves. We found another Wetherspoons near Lime street station, had the chicken special and then made our way to the World Museum. Spending several hours wandering around it was time to return to FS for our final night here. What an amazing city and what a great time we've had. If you haven't done the link yet I would recommend that you try and do it at some point 'cos it's fabulous.

The Natural History part and loads of lovely bugs.

Can you see what time it was. It's an hour behind as time was now 13.30.

Pterodactyl

You have to be sneaky sometimes.

Tuesday 21st

For some reason we woke really early, like 6am and couldn't fathom why other than the sun streaming through the gap in the curtain. So it was a long morning to sit around twiddling thumbs before heading off to the Cavern Club. It didn't open until 10am you see, and when we did eventually arrive a minute or two after 10am, a huge number of school children were also waiting to go in.

 Arghh, not good so should we wait until later??? But ever the gluttons for punishment, in we went following on behind. All the kids were marshalled into another room and boy were they noisy! So quickly we went for a look round before they reappeared and was immediately told that part of the club was off limits all day because of the school children! The management apologised for the inconvenience but I can imagine quite a few people may very well be annoyed especially as this may be their only chance to visit! I did manage a sneaky look round first while she wasn't looking and managed a photo or two.

With our visit curtailed somewhat we walked towards the WW11 museum operational rooms. But first a photo opportunity with one of the Beatles and a look at the Wall of Fame.

Could be John? or maybe George? Do you know, I really couldn't tell!

The Wall of Fame. Every brick had a name of a band that had played in the Cavern Club

It says, Celebrating all those local artists that have had a UK No 1 since charts began in 1952 and who hold a special place in Liverpool's musical and cultural heritage.

Then another wait as museum didn't open until 10.30am. When we were allowed to enter not another soul to be seen so we had the place to ourselves. Cost all of £4 each (concessionary) and although not a big place, was worth the visit.

On our way to lunch at Wetherspoon we passed the Town Hall. A notice was pinned to the board,

How exciting, The Queen to visit tomorrow. And a Happy Birthday to Wills

Town Hall where she will go onto the balcony to wave at her subjects. Hopefully we will be one of them.

 Then we caught the number 47 bus to Bootle and to the shop 'Go Outdoors.'  Yesterday we happened to go in Currys /PC World and the new GO PRO camcorders caught our eye. Always fancied one of those especially as there is the opportunity of underwater photography. Price was well over £250... ouch!. Well bad luck was,  no Go Pro's in stock but the good news... he did recommend another type Veho Muvi NPNG. Back on FS and Ian got into his research mode. Found the spec on this camcorder on line, liked what he read and then came across the Go Outdoors shop in Bootle which sold them at a very reasonable price of £149 with the added bonus of loads of extras with it.

Tiny isn't it.

 I couldn't wait to get back to FS and try it under the water. So one can imagine the look on those walking above us to see me prostrate on the pontoon, Ian holding my legs and me dangling precariously above the water trying to take a photo. The first attempt at taking a photo wasn't to bad considering I was laughing so much and hopefully the more I get used to it the better the photos. It's going to be used more for taking video's, especially when we are in Oz, but for now it's a new toy to play with.

Underwater shot.

And seen in the centre,

The kids loved it and loads of money was going in the pot. Onto a winner here, me thinks.