Floating home at the Albert Dock
ANNETTE LORD discovers an intriguing alternative to a traditional hotel break just down the M62...
HARDLY noticed among the tourist attractions and chain hotels on Liverpool’s waterfront is a small, cosy place to put your feet up. It’s where we are spending the night - and it floats.
A handful of boats line up alongside the moorings inside historic Albert Dock, their owners attracted by the location and the lower fees than those at Liverpool marina; this because of restricted access to the Mersey. I’ve noticed these boats many times but never thought I’d get to stay on one.
Gabrielle is a 46ft yacht owned by Ken Johnson, an interesting guy who for a number of years was a violinist at the Philharmonic up the road.
We met him in the rain outside the Beatles Story and he led us the short distance to the boat.
“Watch your step, it’s a bit slippy in the wet,” Ken advised as we descended the steel staircase and reached the wooden pontoon to which Gabrielle and the others are tied.
Another two or three steps and a duck under the awning, covering the open back of the boat, and we’re aboard. Ken showed us round... In the galley is the kitchen and seating area, with the communications equipment in one corner. The main bedroom takes up the front of the boat, surrounded by wood panelling, with the door to a tiny bathroom in one corner.
There are another two small bedrooms either side of the stairs, to the rear, and another small bathroom. There are also fan heaters if it’s chilly.
After also showing us the kitchen essentials - cooler, crockery, pots and pans, cutlery, washing up liquid - Ken then left us to explore Gabrielle for ourselves.
I was torn between making the most of the city and enjoying the novelty of the boat. In the end we did a bit of both.
We came back in the evening and shared a bottle of wine on deck as the nightlife in Albert Dock went on around us. It quietened off later, so we could get to sleep.
In the morning I enjoyed washing up after breakfast while listening to Liverpool radio while my other half sat on deck watching the city wake up. Simple pleasures, but in a way I think that’s what being on a boat is all about.
Because Gabrielle was tied up and in a sheltered spot there was no movement - it felt like we were on dry land.
Still, you’ve got to be happy with not a lot of space and stepping through doorways, going up and down steps and pumping the toilet by hand. But we found it cosy and comfortable and a great quirky alternative to a hotel room. Cheaper too.
Quirky things to do:
As we had decided on a quirky weekend we went to Ghetto Golf, located in what used to be Cairns brewery. All the local graffiti artists must have had a riot in here, as it’s floor to ceiling wherever you look and for £10 you get 18 holes of crazy golf around the building. There’s some imaginative layouts - including a pool table, bathroom and living room. The holes are supposed to get harder as you go round but I’m convinced that’s more to do with the cocktails from the bar that you can drink on the way. Book in advance online, as it gets busy at the weekend.
Did you know that Liverpool housed a collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts? Neither did we. Head to Garstang Museum of Archaeology on Abercromby Square, owned by Liverpool University, but it’s only open on Wednesdays.
Award-winning ghost tour company Shiverpool tell stories about historic Liverpool’s ‘famous undead’. Or go underground and explore Williamsons tunnels, created in the 19th century by an eccentric Liverpool businessman.