Our usual Sunday Docks paddle had a bit of a twist this morning as this is the Tall Ships Regatta 2018 late May Bank Holiday weekend.

Seventeen paddlers started out from the compound in a variety of kayaks expecting the usual Sunday paddle.  As we entered Salthouse Dock there were quite a few colourful decorated barges moored by the pontoons, a few motor yachts as part of the Northern Boat Show and of course the Watersports 4 pedalo swans, Drascombe, Wayfarer and ‘Wheelie’ mobility motor boat.  By the bandstand there was a “Message in a Bottle” focussing on the issue of plastic pollution.

As we paddled through to the Albert Dock we spied 2 Royal Naval vessels, HMS Smitter and HMS Ranger, 2 Sea Cadets training vessels TS City of London and TS Sir Stelios, the schooner Challenge Wales and the gaff ketch Brian Boru.

As we approached the Hartley Bridge we were beckoned through by the River Police who informed we could paddle around Canning Half-Tide & Canning Docks where more Tall Ships were moored.

Just before exiting Canning Half-Tide dock we spied, heading towards TS Royalist, The Ship’s Cat & Super Rats on the quayside.  These had been created from 1,000 reclaimed milk containers.

We paddled around the Albert Dock looking at the ships and a contingency of Lancashire Nobbies which originally came from the Southport/Morecambe Bay area where they trawled for shrimps and flatfish.  This fleet will be joining the Parade of Sail and you can spot them by their colourful red sails.

By this time everyone was ready for the usual sausage rolls, cakes and biscuits which were devoured on the slipway at the bandstand and huge plastic bottle.  As a speciality Jim Duffy treated us all to strawberries and it’s not the tennis season yet!

We then headed for the slipway, stowed the kayaks and said our goodbyes.  I think a brilliant day was had by all.

Julie Brookes

Liverpool Canoe Club