245 - An Eventful Narrowboat Trip to the Historic Docks in Liverpool

[@dianenelson4725]

So fun to watch. My Grandfather grew up in Liverpool. He immigrated to Boston, Ma with his family in 1906. My Great Grandfather was a steward on a ship that did transatlantic trips from Liverpool to Boston. Thank you, will visit someday!

[@MinimalList]

Please do! It’s well worth the trip! M

[@katelights]

The surveyor requesting tea is the most British thing I have ever heard.

[@MinimalList]

Heh ... though he did fail to mention ginger biscuits entirely! M

[@alanlake5220]

Liked that &n thanks for telling us all about it .

[@MinimalList]

My pleasure

[@thelundstram4394]

Wow how cool is LIVERPOOL 👍👏 nice vlog

[@MinimalList]

Pretty cool! M

[@rogerwhittle2078]

A fascinating part of your voyage, or should I say ANOTHER fascinating part? What a contrast to even the industrial parts of, say, the Caldon Canal? Even there you see someone walking their dog and someone else riding a bike, but in Liverpool it seems the architecture and the scale of the place makes people vanish? It was much more attractive than I had imagined, but strangely and sadly devoid of people? I laughed out loud at 12:26 - the bus 'diner'? I am a Londoner, I have lived in south London all my life and naturally I have many, many memories, some of them fond memories. Bear with me, it's almost relevant. I clearly remember the first day my school mates and I saw our first London Transport 'Routemaster', when it was introduced (there) in about 1958. When, against what he had promised, Ken Livingstone finally put an end to 'our Routemaster's', it became obvious that no-one had much interest in scrapping the things. I calculated I saw one - a different one each time - on average about every fortnight (Two weeks for Michael.) I saw one pass me by in the opposite direction, not quite two weeks ago and now....one in Liverpool! To be extra specially nerdy, I think that one is an RML - Routemaster Long. It has an extra small window in the centre of the bus and two extra rows of seats. How sad am I? Thanks for the great trip and I'm I'm on the edge of my seat for the next bit - tidal rivers and commercial canals notwithstanding.

[@MinimalList]

There were plenty of people about, but the link plows right through the middle of a lot of long derelict property very much now under rapid reconstruction... so they tend to vanish behind the hoardings long off that keep them from entering the building sites. In a few years i bet it will all be unrecognizable! As for the Routemaster... it’s an odd thing to love so dearly, but they’re pretty iconic... to us Colonials nothing screams “England” more than a Routemaster, except maybe a marble Nelson covered in pigeon doings! M

[@rogerwhittle2078]

@@MinimalList I'm really glad that 'Colonials', as you put it (it used to drive my American friends crazy if I used the term) are even aware of the Routemaster. There have been many types and model of 'London Bus' and the old 'RT' (Regent Type) RTL (Regent Type Leyland) RTW (Regent Type Wide) and other variants, were probably even more numerous than the RM. However, the RM was designed for and by 'London', it was not only iconic, but supremely suited to the task. It was light (mostly aluminium) fantastically easy to maintain and light and comfortable to drive, having power steering, servo brakes and a semi automatic gearbox. The proof of its usefulness and longevity is; of 2,876 built, some 1,280 of them still exist, apparently! What replaced the RM was and is, in my opinion, an almost classic example of 'corporate/municipal Committee thinking'. "Now, the old Routemaster is past it now, with what do we replace it? Ah yes, a single decker bus, eighteen METRES long, three METRES wide with a hinge in it, that has a tendency to catch fire!" Brilliant. To no Londoner's surprise, the Bendy Bus was massively route limited, simply could not negotiate London's streets and was universally unpopular. If they had gone straight for the "Boris Bus" - the so called NBFL/NRM - they could have saved a lot of money and derision. The Routemaster is dead - long live the Routemaster. As for the good Admiral, I think he's granite, not marble? But the sentiment is true!

[@barrystone6074]

Just as a point of interest, the tunnels you went through as you came through t he Stanley Locks , which took you through Salthouse & Canning Half Tide docks Are, as you can tell from the video, recent additions (10 years ago, maybe a little bit more) before that, the narrowboats used to have to make their way to the Albert Dock (or Royal Albert Dock to give it its correct name now) I actually worked in an office right outside the Cruise terminal, and once saw a fleet of Narrowboats coming through for the Mersey River Festival, wasn't a very calm day for that type of boat on the open sea. Enjoyable journey, thanks for posting, as others have said, it's interesting to see some of the buildings from a different view

[@MinimalList]

Yeah, they’re recent additions, and I’m sure a much more enjoyable route in any sort of weather! M

[@erichh4144]

the Liver/Liver debate is always the first thing I think of

[@stephenbb8929]

Hope you are safe and out of storms path

[@MinimalList]

We are fine. We haven’t been hit too badly! Thanks for asking!

[@ofb1583]

Pronunciation in any old country is always peculiar & all to do with local history. The 'liver' (laiver)is from is a form of seaweed, hence pool of, the bird is a cormorant & eating some of the weed. It is very sweet the way you regularly finish each others sentences, how long have you been together, lol.

[@MinimalList]

Sweet and a bit annoying! We have been together 6 years.

[@frglee]

Really very interesting - My parent's families were both from Chester, so Liverpool was always their place for city shopping and recreational stuff. So I've known the city from childhood, and used to visit it regularly for business in the 90s. I've done the Liverpool touristy stuff, but never seen the docks from the water. It's interesting to see how decades of redevelopment of the docks have slowly transformed the area with new hotels, shops, bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs and museums. There's a really nice busy vibe here in the Summer with lots of visitors from all over the world, many young (and not so young) music fans - many thrilled to bits with seeing all the Beatles stuff. The Beatles museum, Penny Lane, the Strawberry Fields gate, The Cavern and the two childhood homes of John and Paul, run by the National Trust. A great city to visit and explore! And Liverpudlians are a very special breed!

[@MinimalList]

They are indeed... I’ll have to go back and spend a bit more time seeing the Beatles side of things! M

[@BarneyLeith]

My mother's family were once part-owners of a shipping line that traded out of Liverpool & Birkenhead docks. My uncle was chairman of the line and had his office in the Liver Building. When I was around 5 or 6 my uncle took me around the docks in his bright red MG A and we went on board one or two of the company's ships. That was in the 1950s.

[@MinimalList]

That sounds like a fun way to see the docks! M

[@victoria-dawn]

Watch your vlogs every time being narrowboaters ourselves for over 30 years as live a boards there is not many surprises for us but we have really enjoyed the Ribble link and Liverpool link looking forward to the Mersey And Ship canal. Dawn

[@MinimalList]

Hopefully a few surprises coming up still! Thanks for watching! M

[@seanatteberry3686]

Nice video. Liverpool. I seem to have read somewhere that there was a band that came from there that had a little success and sold a few records.

[@MinimalList]

Mmm, that story does sound familiar!

[@F16CJWW]

I'll say it again, I just really enjoy your videos. Your videography is excellent. The narration enjoyable and quite informative. Sitting here in Tucson, AZ and I'm so jealous. The scenery beautiful even in the urban areas. Jo, I read your book in full while doing my chemotherapy. I really enjoyed it. Thanks folks. Safe travels. George is a cool paws.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for all of that, really glad you enjoy the videos! And Jo’s book as well! M

[@honorharrington4546]

I could practically see Michael's eyes light up at all the museums when you came in. I hope they are enjoyable.

[@MinimalList]

They were quite nice, though I didn’t make it to as many as I’d have liked (especially regret missing the Beatles one) due to the time constraints imposed by the Mersey crossing. Will have to return and dawdle a bit at some point! M

[@paulroberts5677]

Nice, I was born in Liverpool. No blue plaque yet though. You alway make me pine to be on my travels too. Isn't Liverpool a smashing place? The Liverpool museum. and the Walker art gallery are really worth a visit. Take the ferry to Birkenhead and see the big German U boat. Thanks

[@MinimalList]

If only we’d had more time! We didn’t take the ferry to Birkenhead but we did take out Narrowboat across the Mersey! Thanks for watching!

[@maggiekavanagh2801]

Me home town, nice to see the route in from the canal. Lots to see and do in the Pool, museums aplenty to keep Michael happy, and a Lidl of course. Actually there was a Lidl a few yards from Tesco... Hope you enjoyed your time in Liverpool.

[@MinimalList]

Did indeed! Wish we’d been able to stay longer, and will definitely have to return! M

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

Thanks guys for showing the way into Albert dock. I was there myself a while back. Liverpool is a great city to explore. Fingers crossed I will be doing some of the Ouse next week so hopefully I can put some footage together. The weather is looking promising. Still not able to get my boat out so having to get boats where and when I can at this time of year, I just want to get away from the Christmas shopping craziness. Thanks again take care you three. Alan.

[@MinimalList]

Good luck with the Ouse! We’ll be trying to get up there soon ourselves! M

[@Its_me--Boo_Radley]

What a stunning view of Liverpool! Really breathtaking.

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@chriso2705]

Oooh! Late night narrowboating. Love it.

[@willsgetoff1157]

At last a couple of days to catch your breath. Hopefully things went well and we get to follow you "Across the Mersey" and up the ship canal. Looking forward to seeing that.

[@MinimalList]

You’ll find out real soon! M

[@garydye4270]

Very interesting. Go left of the buoys; go right of those - where are these, and other, instructions through the docks, to be found? The journey on the Mersey will be be keenly anticipated by this viewer too!

[@MinimalList]

We didn’t find any instructions online. The lock keeper briefed us at the bottom of the Stanley Flight. It’s pretty straight forward. Thanks for watching!

[@MouseToes]

This was a completely different passage and wonderful to watch!

[@MinimalList]

Thanks! M

[@Sim2500]

greaa trip and architecture, never seen the building from your view

[@MinimalList]

I’m so glad we stopped there!

[@IanRMcAllister]

Great video! So few people do the LIverpool link, and yet as you have shown, there's lots to see and some amazing architecture. Good Luck!

[@MinimalList]

It’s well worth it! They’ve made it seem a bit daunting, but it was all quite simple and pleasant! M

[@maobfh]

Good video! You seem more relaxed Jo about cruising down the River Mersey. That is great! It’s funny how you guys (KZbin narrowboaters) all seems to be heading in the same area. I can easily imagine that you get together, off camera, for fun. Is there a point where you will have to head south to continue cruising (aside from when you have covered all the canals and move on)? I know some canals, or portions of canals, close for the winter but I don’t know if it is for maintenance or navigability. Thanks for reading the comments and sharing what you can. Cheers!

[@MinimalList]

We’re heading more east than south, after we finish the north, which will involve going back west! Every year the canals have stoppages for various large scale maintenance works, which are done in winter to minimize disruption. But they’re all over the system, so you really just look them up ahead of time and try to plan your route best you can! M

[@AuntieSullivan]

Great trip! I keep thinking that your boat is so well named because Jo and Michael, you have a lot of Perseverance!

[@MinimalList]

Yep! Could only have been more accurate if she’d been named Bloody Minded Stubbornness! M

[@rogerwhittle2078]

@@MinimalList That made I laugh!

[@Tinhare]

Nice to see the trip into Liverpool. Looking forward to seeing if you finally get surveyed and get to cross the Mersey. So frustrating when you are reliant on the incompetence of others. First on the Ribble and now with surveyors.

[@MinimalList]

The surveyors are endlessly competent, they’re just also endlessly busy... considering what they’re paid when they’re not surveying us we can’t really blame them for not finding a hole to schedule us into. M

[@hrgft68]

You missed a good look at the Kathleen and May (19:43) from my home town in England.

[@MinimalList]

Ooh, lovely ship, and yeah didn’t get the best view of her, sadly! M

[@ianofsjkartwork]

Glad you made and hope you enjoy your time in Liverpool......thanks for sharing

[@MinimalList]

Lovely city, really enjoyed our all too brief visit! Will definitely return! M

[@Drobium77]

Hi Michael and Jo. Thanks for a wonderful video, and I am really enjoying the series :-) I have just emailed you a link to a site where you can get old maps of the whole of England in fine detail, which are side by side with the modern maps, so the cursor hovers directly over that spot on the old map. It's really fascinating, and will help you to unravel some of the mysteries that you may have come across on your journey. Anyway, have a good weekend and keep up the amazing vlogs :-)

[@MinimalList]

Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out! M

[@annie2950]

Great vlog and narration thanks. Hope you got a good rest.

[@MinimalList]

Heh... as you’ll see, not much of one for another month and a bit! M

[@jasonbrant6394]

Ah the nuances of the English language . Great vlog very informative . I always think old dock yards are so spooky not my bag at all ,don't you feel so vulnerable and at risk some how ,probably just me . Good luck with the mersey crossing ( you really do the the most outrageous things in a narrow boat) Stay safe and enjoy if possible .

[@MinimalList]

No risk, as such... a bit annoyed when some damned stupid kids start throwing rocks, which seems to be a default “fun times” thought of a certain kind of English school kid, but overall it’s kind of a cozy place to be, isolated from the bustle of the city. M

[@sallymander7863]

I've never thought of that - L-i-verpool and L-I-ver Building 😳

[@MinimalList]

First thought I had when she started giggling at me like a madwoman! M

[@markwng]

It occurred to me when that show, "The LIverbirds" was on TV.. Howcome there not liverbirds asked the innocent child. Because.

[@markwng]

Keep an eye out for the "Liver Birds" and a"ferry cross the Mersey".

[@MinimalList]

I dare say we’ll be a ferry cross the Mersey soon! M

[@philwheeler7054]

Hi - I'm trying to organise a trip next spring down to Liverpool. I know you had a few hold ups - but how long did it take you to get from the L&L to the CRT moorings please?

[@MinimalList]

The Link itself? I’d say about an hour and a half, from the top of the locks... certainly less than two hours. The bulk of the day was getting to the top of the lock flight. M

[@philwheeler7054]

@@MinimalList Thanks - hope all goes well with the Mersey trip

[@loft306]

Wow you have bad luck with surveyors.

[@frglee]

You know how dentists and benefits staff now fine people who don't turn up for appointments? The public should be able to fine all public workers who don't turn up for appointments as well.

[@MinimalList]

Well, to be fair, they’ve got much more lucrative work elsewhere, and in the case of the first guy we were put in touch with he had a family issue strike that’s the sort of thing you just can’t prepare for. In the end we got it sorted, but it did take a fair bit of phone work! M

[@TheWirralChannel]

Been great to do a feature on you while you were nearby

[@MinimalList]

We’ll be heading back across the Leeds and Liverpool in the new year, but most likely wont get closer than the junction at Wigan this time! M

[@christopherpeterson1400]

How's the solar working? Do you ever tip them ? Or leaving them flat in sufficient?

[@MinimalList]

It works great. We tilt them up almost exclusively in winter, as it’s a bit of a faff and on sunny days spring through autumn they tend to be more than sufficient lying flat. But in the dead of winter when we’re facing the right way for the tilt to help it’s a godsend! M

[@christopherpeterson1400]

@@MinimalList I am installing (4) panels = 1140 watts at 48 volt on my boat now in SEATTLE. wondering if it worth all the trouble and expence for tiltable complicated mounting

[@johnbuck7538]

Being part Irish (the other parts Scottish and English I'll wish you the best of Luck

[@MinimalList]

Thanks to all three parts! M

[@BillMSmith]

Poor George, so much disappointment when he's confined to the boat. It could be worse, if you were van people that would really limit his walking time. The warehouse is impressive. The idea that it's going to be turned into luxury units makes my building science head swim. Although, with that much brick there may be enough moisture holding capacity to avert problems. None the less, I'm recommending you don't buy one. Abundance of caution, etc. Good luck with the surveyor, I take it this is a sideline for these people? It seems a little spotty for them to be full time.

[@MinimalList]

Don’t worry, we’re not considering a part of the tobacco warehouse! And yeah, it’s a side gig for sure for them. Peel ports has a very limited list of approved surveyors and all of them can make a lot more money doing other work with their time, so you tend to have to get lucky and find someone with a hole in their schedule. The fellow who ended up doing ours apparently is a really in demand pro and spends a good part of the year working insurance claims all round the world, so we were so lucky to find he had a moment! M

[@hw476]

🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😁

[@MinimalList]

👍🏻

[@776281]

Don't drink tea? Tea is England's answer to every problem.Whatever the drama, make a cuppa. That said, it is the coffee that I drink.

[@frglee]

Indeed. If you have had a car crash, just coming round from a hospital operation, just had your house blown to bits by the Luftwaffe, or even just surfaced from a deep wreck dive off Scotland, people will be offering you tea. Visit almost any person in the UK or Ireland and one of the very first things you will be asked after you step into their house is if you'd like a cup of tea. Even under arrest in a police cell, you will be asked if you'd like some tea.

[@MinimalList]

I know! We’re the only tea tea totallers in what was the Empire! M

[@navigator902]

Love the live aboard consequences. Yes I take my tea w/ milk... so we must get some.

[@MinimalList]

We don’t drink tea or coffee so it can be a problem

[@JustMe-bu8pu]

For the past 30yrs, I have drank (On average) a literal Gallon (3.78 liters) of Tea a day. Adding Milk to it has never crossed my mind.

[@russmontgomery5211]

A couple weeks ago I made a comment that my subscription to your channel just vanished. I thought that I may have inadvertently unsubscribed my self. So i hit the button again and thought all was right in the world. Well youtube decided that I didn't need the subscription again. I have noticed other channels I follow have made comments about this issue with subscribers being kicked out by youtube, You may want to check into it further.

[@MinimalList]

I’ve not heard anything about them automatically disconnecting subscribers, though I have seen some bugs where the notification bell thing stops working as if it was never clicked. We certainly hope there’s nothing disconnecting people, but glad you keep subscribing! M

[@erichh4144]

for as much as I hate cities I sure love looking at cities.

[@workingboat]

Didn't know Henry VIII lived in America, watch yer head girl....

[@MinimalList]

I’ll have you know I’ve never had a bit of gout! M

[@rossrowntree5905]

Can you not just bolt a bicycle seat on to the port side. You will have a case of barge arse blarge Or an attack by there splinter group. Wood in her puddin 😁

[@MinimalList]

Ouch. M