3rd of August 2016. Its a breezy passage into Salthouse Dock, Liverpool.

Our passage down the Liverpool link was booked for today. The link joins the canal to the Salthouse and Albert docks in the centre of Liverpool and was only opened for pleasure craft a few years ago. It goes along the side of the Mersey, through and under the riverside buildings. We set off from our mooring shortly after narrow boat Iris which had been moored next to us. An hour later we arrived at the first of the four Eldonian locks which mark the start of the link and which are operated by CRT staff. We shared these locks and the rest of the journey with Iris and her friendly crew.

Harold and Iris in the top lock.

It was windy and there was some doubt about whether we would be able to make the passage but the CRT chaps said we would be ok and issued their instructions. Harold, with Robin at the helm, led the way out of the bottom lock, across the first two very exposed and windy docks and into the start of the link, called here Sid's Ditch. Harold's engine was needed at full pelt to keep on track and there was some splashing of the crew in the front well deck.

Choppy waters in Salisbury docks.

In the link.

After Sid's Ditch there were more dock areas and the Liver Building appeared in front of us.

We went through the Princes Dock lock with Iris and then through the three link tunnels. Each time we came up for air we felt the carnival atmosphere, with bunting and a funfair and sightseers.

And we sailed right past the Liver Building.

After CRT got us through the last lock we were almost there; two right turns through Canning Dock and into Albert Dock and then two left into Salthouse.

The captain expertly steers us through Canning Dock.

The entrance to the famous Albert Dock and the Tate Gallery.

 There were some big boats about.

After a breezy and rather crashy manoeuvre we managed to get moored on our designated pontoon and then fended off the next two boats to come in as they crashed into us! With extra ropes (all creaking) we were secure and Robin went off to find some grass for Scooby to poo on. We are right in the centre of Liverpool with museums, Tate gallery, shopping centre and River Mersey all within spitting distance. Its wet, windy and choppy here in the dock, but we won't be short of things to do and see. We'll be here until early Sunday morning when our return passage out is booked.

Harold in Salthouse Dock, Liverpool.