1. On the Ship Canal, the illegally blocked-up Walton Lock prevents the EARNEST from taking the short route to the Sankey. Instead, the voyagers had to go onto the... Mersey at Eastham

2. ...Mersey and double back up the river on the tide. Here they pass another, but legal closed access from the Ship Canal - Old Quay Lock, opposite Spike Island.

3. On a sunny Sunday lunchtime dozens of people stopped to see the historic entry of the boat into Fiddlers Ferry Lock.

4. In very different weather, the EARNEST locks back into the river on Monday for the trip down to Widnes.

5. At Widnes the EARNEST locks in for a quiet night before braving the elements on the tideway again the next day. The trip was prepared for well in advance, and is not for the faint-hearted!

6. Our Chairman was watching EARNEST brave the wind and waves from the roof of the Cathedral as this shot was taken. Sadly, he didn't have a camera with him to record the sight from his vantage point.

Photos: 1, 4 & 5 - Dave Croft; 2, 3 & 6 - Neil Arlidge and crew.
Web site for the EARNEST's journeys: http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk.