So... Normally its a bank holiday the day they release the bookings.
I gave up a few years back trying to get through on the phone or on line and started to go down to the Pier Head Liverpool to book direct. The only issue is the que is normally quite long, going out of the office and half way up the link span.
My plan was to get there at 8.30, but got side tracked and didn't get there till 9.15. When I did get there I though it was shut as there was no one queuing outside. Opened the door and there was only 6 people in front of me.
Very Very odd.