It is now a week since we left Liverpool and travelled back up the link and on to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.  At the moment we are on the Bridgewater Canal, moored up near Dunham Woodhouses and Dunham Massey Hall, once the seat of the Earl of Stamford.

The trip up the Liverpool link was enlivened by the tales of the lock keeper, which involved a toaster, cheese on toast and a kitchen fire.  He kept us all entertained for the morning!!

We shared locks from Liverpool and up onto the Leeds and Liverpool with Amphora, a boat owned by a couple from New Zealand, who spend the summer here cruising the canals and then return to NZ for their summer.  They were heading of up the Bridgewater to a borrowed mooring and to spend some time in Manchester.  Passed the boat today and they went past us this evening.  Think they are headed back to Rugby, where the boat is moored and then heading to Italy for a holiday, before heading home, what a terrible life!! 

Goodbye to Liverpool

Leaving Liverpool

Sharing the lock with nb Amphora

We had a lazy weekend moored up near a place called Astley Green, where we managed to moor with no other boats nearby for the whole weekend.  Bliss and the dogs could just mooch around on the towpath.  We celebrated Graham's birthday with a meal in the nearby pub, although didn't go on Saturday as planned due to the heavy rain and a ten minute walk along a muddy towpath.  Lovely sunny day on Sunday though so we went then.

A quiet weekend mooring with no other boats in sight!

We stopped at Worsley to top up with water, a very attractive place and the site of the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines.  The Bridgewater Canal was constructed to carry his coal to Manchester.  I think he made a few shillings out of the deal as he ended up the richest nobleman in England.

Today we again crossed the Barton swing Aqueduct, which takes the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal, and can be swung open to allow ships to pass through.  An amazing feat of engineering!  

Barton swing Aqueduct

Manchester Ship Canal from the aqueduct

Manchester Ship Canal from the aqueduct

We also stopped for a look around the Trafford Centre, an incredible shopping and leisure complex which defies description.  Unfortunately I didn't have the camera, who knew you needed a camera in a shopping centre!  It takes shopping to a whole new level.  Seriously if you are ever nearby it shouldn't be missed.

 

Tonight is our last night in Liverpool.  We have had a fantastic time here as there is loads to do and Liverpool is a brilliant place to visit.  We have visited the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Liverpool, both cathedrals and had a brilliant day out with a £4.80  (per person) day ticket, which included use of the buses, trains and the Mersey ferry.  Brilliant value and a good day out!!

Some piccy's of some of the things we have seen/done here.

There is a well established China Town in Liverpool with the largest Chinese Arch outside of mainland China!

The famous Superlambananas situated all over Liverpool! (look it up on Google)

The Old Dock Experience was an interesting tour of the first commercial wet dock in Britain!  Liverpool 1 is now built above the dock!

 The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth docked in Liverpool for the day

Pirate ship made from driftwood, at New Brighton

Liverpool from across the Mersey

 Liverpool from the Mersey Ferry

 Liverpool's two cathedrals!

The Anglican Cathedral

The Metropolitan (RC) Cathedral aka Paddy's Wigwam.  A strange and very modern building, but very beautiful  inside

 Liverpool from the tower of the Anglican Cathedral

The Bells!!!

Tomorrow we go back up the Liverpool link and onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.  Not sure where we are going next!!

Well we arrived safely in Liverpool on Wednesday.  Bit of a crap day weather wise as it rained persistently throughout the most interesting part of the trip!!  Other than the rain a good day though.  We came down with nine other boats, seven of which were travelling together, part of Lymm Cruising Club.  This is their summer trip.

Liverpool is an excellent city and I would recommend a visit to anyone.  There is loads to do and I am sure there will be a further post describing some of our exploits here.  For now however some pictures of the trip down and the moorings in Salthouse basin, which are excellent.

Lovely place to live on the Leeds Liverpool Canal

Journey into Liverpool

Viaduct at Stanley Locks

Jeanie Deans and Rainbow Lorikeet going across the pound with the tobacco warehouse in the background

The Tobacco Warehouse supposedly the largest brick built warehouse in the world!

Tobacco Warehouse from a different perspective.  It is a huge building!

Coming into Liverpool through the dock area and the new Liverpool canal link opened in 2009

The moorings in Salthouse Dock

We will be moored here in Liverpool until 12 August.  Loads to do here and there will be another post with more pictures later.  Tomorrow there will be loads going on as part of the Liverpool Pride March, which I think is the first official event here.  Looking forward to it!