Liam's Boating Website - News & Updates

News & Updates

Ariel on Dock - 12th May 2011
Aswell as the new paint job on the cabin and fore end of the boat, Ariel will be removed from the water on Friday 20th May at Hesfords boat yard in Lymm for annual bottom blacking. Most boats seem to get away with blacking their boats every couple of years, or even every 3rd year but due to the way Ariel runs in the winter, during the cold ice and snow spells, it's best to do this every year. Ariel will be returning to the water after 3 coats, and then will be making a trip over to Runcorn on the Bridgewater Canal for the FBCC Rally over the May Bank Holiday.

Site Update - 10th May 2011
Due to Longford Canal Services' runs being scheduled mainly between September and April, during this time the website will most likely remain largely not updated. This is just because of the seasonal way in which the boat runs and because most of my pleasure trip runs to places such as Ellesmere Port at Easter and Braunston in July happen during the "Summer" months. With Easter now past, it's that time of the year when Ariel starts travelling further afield. Unfortunately due to problems with my camera I didn't manage to get any snaps at The Port but over the next few months the website should be updated at least weekly.

Ariel in the Pain Dock - 5th May 2011
Shortly after returning from our Easter trip to Ellesmere Port for the HNBOC Easter Gatherinng, Ariel was tied up under the Arches at Timperley where it was stripped back to bare steel, ready for painting in the new livery. Kerry is making good progress and in the next couple of weeks the job should be completed.

General site updates - 26th october 2010
It's been a good few weeks since I updated the website but I have now added several trips (unfortunately without pictures or info) to the Trips page aswell as the Acton Bridge Steam Rally (with pics and info) to the Events page.

General site updates - 8th June 2010
I have updated the website to include a new Events page which will be dedicated to the various gatherings I attend aswell as adding videos to a couple of pages.

River Weaver Weekend - 21 May 2010
I have updated the Trips page to include my latest run down to Yarwoods on the River Weaver.

Ariel on Dock - 29th April 2010
Further pictures have been added of Ariel out of the water at Hesfords .

Ariel on Dock - 16th April 2010
Ariel was removed from the water at about 2PM today for hull blacking and repainting.

Sale to Hesfords - 15th April 2010
After work I moved Ariel from her moorings at Sale over to Hesfords Yard in Agden near Lymm for docking.

Yarwoods Basin to Sale - 9th April
Due to having Ariel out on dock next weekend I headed back onto the Bridgewater Canal, with a stop over at Dunham on the Saturday night.

Ellesmere Port to Yarwoods Basin - 7th April 2010
After the Easter Gathering, I moved Ariel back onto the River Weaver to Yarwoods Basin.

Ellesmere Port Boaters Gathering - 2nd April 2010
A good time was had at the Ellesmere Port Boaters Gathering at Ellesmere Port over the Easter Weekend

River Weaver - Dutton to Ellesmere Port - 31st March 2010
I took Ariel along the River Weaver from Dutton to Ellesmere Port via the Manchester Ship Canal to attend the Easter Gathering.

River Weaver - Northwich to Dutton - 27th March 2010
Due to a slight change of plans, to be ready for the Manchester Ship Canal trip to Ellesmere Port, I moved Ariel from Yarwoods Basin in Northwich over to Dutton Lock. Pictures on the trips page.

River Weaver Trip - 19th March 2010
I moved Ariel from Sale on the Bridgewater over to Yarwoods Basin on the River Weaver via a short run out to Saltersford and Hunt's locks over the weekend. View the trips page for pictures.

Dunham Trip - 14th Feb 2010
I have updated the Trips page to include the recent trip to Dunham, as well as a few pictures of the bank repairs at Sale. Pictures can be found here.

BSC & Seaworthy Certificates - 9th Feb 2010
I am happy to report that on the morning of Monday 8th February, Ariel successfully passed the Boat Safety Certificate and Seaworthy certificate checks for the up coming trip on the Manchester Ship Canal to Ellesmere Port via the River Weaver.

CWDF Banter - 26th Jan 2010
I have recently uploaded my log of a trip to the CWDF Banter at Castlefield on the 23rd January. View the page by clicking here.

Snow & Ice - 5th Jan 2010
Ariel is currently iced in and hasn't moved for a couple of weeks, and more recently has been covered with around 8 inches of snow.

YWBS Christmas Party - 20th Dec 2009
I attended the Young Working Boaters Society Christmas Party which, for the first year, was held at Lime Kiln basin, in Stone, Staffs. Overall we had a great weekend with train driving, and ice breaking and tug steering.

Return Trip from Castlefield - 19th Dec 2009
After arriving at the boat in Castlefield, I noticed the canal starting to freeze so took the decision of returning back to my mooring two days earlier.

Run to Castlefield - 18th Dec 2009
After work I moved Ariel from her moorings into Castlefield. This was so the boat would be closer after the company Christmas party the following night, amd also by the train station for the trip to Stone for the YWBS gathering.

Lymm Dickensian Festival - 15th Dec 2009
I visited Lymm for the 2009 Dickensian Festival on Ariel. Due to other arrangements I had not made the trip by boat for a number of years and enjoyed the weekend. The pictures from the trip can be seen here.

Planking the Hold - 7th Dec 2009
The scaffolding boards were delivered on Saturday morning and were cut and fitted to the boat over the weekend. You can see the pictures here.

Scaffolding Boards - 1st Dec 2009
I am hoping to expect approximately 40 scaffolding boards to cover the 30ft hold of Ariel this coming Saturday.These will be placed width ways across the boat, secured together and in place with battens and then covered with the existing cover the boat has at the moment.

Trip to Castlefield - 29th Nov 2009
I took a run out over the weekend on Ariel to Castlefield to visit the European Christmas Market and to meet up with a few friends. No pictures unfortunately as I had left my camera at home.

Ariel on Sky 1 - 16th November 2009
Back in September, I took Ariel to Pomona to assist in the filming of Wayne Rooney's Street Striker. The filming was spread over two days and was shot under the Viaduct near Pomona Strand, close to Pomona Lock. The first episode was aired last Sunday, with the second episode being aired on Sunday 15th. This can be watched in four parts on Youtube via the links below.

Loaded with Coal - 16th Nov 2009
Ariel was loaded with approximately 1.5 tons of House coal on Saturday before taking a trip up to Castlefield for the weekend.

Canal Carrying - 3rd Nov 2009
We have just launched the new Canal Carrying website, including forum. The website address is www.canalcarrying.co.uk.

Back Home - 20th Oct 2009
Ariel is now back on her moorings after a return trip to Henhull due to stoppages in the near future. You can see the pictures here.

Sale to Henhull - 13th Oct 2009
Ariel is currently tied at Henhull whilst heading over to Norbury. The pictures can be found here.

Castlefield Trip - 23rd Sep 2009
I spent the weekend on Ariel in Castlefield.

Fitting the Cloths - 19th Sep 2009
Ariel has now been fitted with a PVC canvas over the open hold. Pictures can be seen on the Work page Fitting the cloth s.

Ariel on TV - 15th Sep 2009
Ariel is currently moored at Pomona Strand to assist with the filming of Wayne Rooney's Street Striker for Sky 1. You can see a few of the pictures taken here.