I am considering travelling to IOM via Liverpool to take advantage of the extra 4 hours to get acclimatised and to do the shopping to be specified by Shawn. It is also a shorter crossing - no bad thing for a poor sailor like me. The departure is 11:15 and the logical train service (assuming it has not changed when the summer timetable is implemented) is 07:40 from Derby to Crewe and thence 09:32 CRE to LIV, arriving at 10:11. The ferry terminal should be reachable in 15 minutes but I will suss out the route on a visit between now and June. An alternative which may be more expensive is to go via Sheffield but that would entail departing Derby at 07:05 to pick up the Nottingham to Liverpool EMT service at either Chesterfield or Sheffield.
The snag with either of these options is that one train delay/cancellation and the ferry is missed with a long wait to the next. I am therefore contemplating an overnight stop within cycling range of the ferry. Travelodge at St Helens is currently offering a double room at £35 (non returnable).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm not totally committed at the mo, but I'm thinking of taking the 06:20 from Matlock and going to Liverpool via Derby (07:40) and Crewe. That is far and away the most straightforward route (others involve up to 5 changes!) Also, that way I can take the earlier boat and look around a bit before riding to the Bunkhouse. And, if I miss that boat, there will be another one - and I can ride on some new NCN routes around Liverpool maybe, while waiting. On the other hand, I might do something totally different!
ReplyDeleteI have now booked passage on the 11:15 ex Liverpool on 14th and the 15:00 return on 19th. A 17:45 arrival into Liverpool gives adequate time to get home. In order to avoid any snags with cancelled or late trains on Thursday morning I have also booked a night in Chester at the Backpackers Hostel (I have single en suite room) on 13th. I can ride the 30 or so km or take a train next morning, depending upon the weather.
ReplyDeletewell done gents I hope to be joining you on thatr crossing and at this stage am considering returning via heysham and send some time on the Lancashire coast
ReplyDelete