JOINING INSTRUCTIONS

You will be sent detailed joining instructions before your voyage. However, we have collected here instructions on how to find the boat at some of the most frequently used ports.

Also useful may be:

There is a link to a map for most ports. This will take you to a 'zoomable' map with the vessel's approximate location marked with an arrow. You can zoom in or out by clicking + or - below the map. But don't click on the map or you will move the arrow!

• Liverpool Collingwood Dock
• Liverpool Albert Dock
• Menai Bridge
• Holyhead
• Whitehaven
• Barrow In Furness
• Troon
• Ardrossan

LIVERPOOL, Albert Dock - map

The vessel will either be moored in Canning 1/2 tide Basin behind the 'Pump House' Public House or within Albert Dock itself.

By Car - From M63, M58, and M57 follow signs for Albert Dock - brown heritage signs. There is ample free parking at the dock.

By Coach - to National Express Station in Norton Street. Take a connecting local bus to Queen Square and board bus SMART 1 which run every 10 minutes from 0628 until 1840. After 1840 use SMART 4 which run every 30 minutes until 22.40.

By Rail - to Liverpool Lime Street. Walk out of the main entrance to Queen Square 100 metres directly in front of station. Take SMART 1 or SMART 4 as above.

Merseytravel for bus and rail enquiries on 0151 236 7676 open 0800-2000 7 days.

LIVERPOOL, Collingwood Dock - map

From PIER HEAD travel northward along Bath Street, Waterloo Road and Regent Road (known as the Dock Road) passing Toys'R'Us and Costco. This is all one road with different names. Head in the direction of Crosby. After 1 mile Collingwood Dock is just before a swing bridge through a set of green gates.

Nearest local rail station is Sandhills about 2 miles away. But if arriving by train it is usually much easier to take a taxi from Lime Street main line Station.

By Taxi: From Lime Street Station take a taxi to Collingwood Dock. The fare should be approximately £5.00.

By BUS from LIME STREET RAIL STATION - leave by the central exit, opposite you will be St George's Hall. Proceed towards St Thomas Street- this is next to the central post office on Whitechapel. Take bus number 137 (12 and 42 past the hour last bus 1812). Ask to alight at Stanley Dock /Market on Great Howard Street. From the Bus Stop take a side road e.g. Stanley Road through to Regent Road. Collingwood Dock is just opposite - see above.

For other local travel services call Merseytravel 0151 236 7676 open 0800 -2000 7 days.

MENAI BRIDGE map

The vessel will be moored to the pier immediately North of the Britannia Bridge on the Anglesey Shore. By train, travel to Bangor on the Holyhead line, and then take a taxi to Menai Bridge, the nearest point being the Liverpool Arms public house. By road, take the A5 towards Holyhead (Caergybi), go over the Britannia Bridge, then take first right into Menai Bridge, and right again at the first cross-roads. Park at the Liverpool Arms (check this is OK first)

HOLYHEAD

By road take the A5. By rail to Holyhead.

Please check whether the boat is near the container berth in the Inner Harbour (map) (adjacent to Railway Station). Otherwise it will be in the marina adjacent to the Holyhead Sailing Club, Newry Beach (map).

WHITEHAVEN map

Joining Instructions for Whitehaven Harbour, Whitehaven, Cumbria

Vessel will be located within Whitehaven Harbour that is next to the centre of the town and main shopping centre. The precise location of the vessel should be obvious when in the vicinity of the harbour.

From Scotland and the Northeast, Newcastle Area and Northumbria.

Travel towards Carlisle eventually taking the road towards the town centre when closing on the town. When close to the town centre take the A595 at the roundabout close to a large County Garage premises and the Sands Centre. Follow the exit in a westerly direction past the Carlisle Castle heading eventually to the South West and the West Cumbria Coastline. The A595 should be sign posted towards but not necessarily go into the towns of Cockermouth, Workington and eventually near Cockermouth via a short section of the A66 onto Whitehaven. Just to the west of Cockermouth the A595 breaks at the junction with the A66 and then restarts 4 miles further on. At the boundary of Whitehaven follow the signs to the Marina and the Town centres. The sea and harbour will become apparent as you drop towards the town centre.

The one way system is like no other! Best advice is to head for Tesco at the north side of the harbour and get your bearings. Journey time from Carlisle approx. 1 hour in clear traffic.

From areas to the South and East of Cumbria.

Head towards the junction between the M6 Motorway and the A66 at Penrith. From Penrith head west along the A66 towards but not necessarily go into the towns Keswick Cockermouth and Workington. After Cockermouth follow the latter part of section 1

Journey time from Penrith approx. 1 hour in clear traffic.

From South Cumbria

Take the north going A595 towards Whitehaven. At the boundary of Whitehaven follow the signs to the Marina and the Town centre. The sea and harbour will become apparent as you drop towards the town centre. This route may be picturesque but if time is of the essence avoid it from if on the M6.

By Rail.

The Railway Station is next to the Harbour and Tesco. There may be a convenient connection to the express bus service from Penrith Rail Station to Whitehaven.

By Bus

At the present time the bus station is next to the harbour and Tesco.

Long distance services by Stagecoach.

Barrow in Furness

By Road

Travelling from the North, South or East leave motorway at Junction 36 on the A590 westbound (Barrow-In-Furness). Ensure after leaving motorway and travelling for 3 miles that the directions are followed for Barrow-in-Furness (A590). Do not continue onto Kendal. Follow A590 for approximately 30 miles into the outskirts of Barrow. Kimberley/Clarke paper mill is on the right, (40-mph area) this then reduces to 30-mph area, pass fire station on right, ASDA on the left, carry onto roundabout, approx. 3/4 mile). Take 3rd exit to Dock Museum. Dock Museum is about 400 yards on the right, plenty of parking and free. (Dock Museum Tel. No: 01229-894444).

If you are joining the boat at the Ramsden Dock (Outer Basin) Pierhead, Barrow-in-Furness. Follow the instructions above, but do not go into Dock Museum, carry on the road through the traffic lights, passed Vickers large shed on left until roundabout, straight on, until next roundabout, take 3rd exit to Docks, follow the road round to the left (Shipyard entrance on the right), carry on about 200 yds the road then bends to the right, carry on and the docks will then become visible, continue for about 3/4 mile until Pierhead (New Office Block) is reached. The boat will be on your left in the outer basin. (Pierhead Office Tel: No: 01229-820155). Cars can be left with permission from Pierhead.

By Train

Barrow-in-Furness can be reached from the West Coast main line stations Preston & Lancaster. Please use the telephone number above.

Upon reaching Barrow Station, you are about 1 mile away from Dock Museum and 2 1/2 miles from the Pierhead (TAXI is the only transport to the Pierhead).

You can walk to the Dock Museum, turn left after leaving station, follow road until reaching crossroads, turn left, walk to traffic lights, turn right down Abbey Road, pass another set lights, straight on at roundabout, until a crossroads is reached with a mini-roundabout, turn right, walk to next roundabout, turn left, continue passed (Tesco on Corner)), Dock Museum is 400 yards on right.

Taxis are available outside the station.

Bus services are limited, but do not leave from station, follow instructions above to first set of traffic lights, turn right bus stops up on right hand side.

TROON map

Troon Marina is reached by road via the A77 from Glasgow to Kilmarnock. There is a regular Train Service from Glasgow on the Ayr Line. Bus Services run from Buchanan Street Bus Station (Glasgow) direct to Troon. Actual times of trains and buses can be obtained by phoning train information 08457 48 49 50 or National Coaches 0870 6082608. The vessel should be visible from the Marina entrance. If the vessel is not visible at the marina then it will be berthed in the outer fishing harbour that is reached by following the ferry terminal signs.

ARDROSSAN map

There is a regular train from Glasgow to Ardrossan, the last station on the line, "Ardrossan Harbour", is directly opposite Clyde Marina. Bus services from Ardrossan run every half-hour to Ayr and Greenock. By road from Glasgow take the M8 westbound to junction 29, take A737 towards Beith and Dalry once in Ardrossan follow signs for the Arran Ferry Service, the Marina is on the Winton Pier directly opposite the ferry terminal.

Secure parking is available at the Marina. Clyde Marina Tel: 01294 607077

The North West Office wishes you an exciting and adventurous voyage