Life on the ocean wave part 2

We left the pontoon at 11.45 to turn around while we waited for the lock to be filled, and by 12.15 the the exit gates opened and we were off. It was a beautiful morning with very little wind. Clive was in front with the pilot, who in fact let Clive helm all the way, and we followed. Ahead of us both was a small cruiser who had his own pilot.

Apart for the winding route there was very little to report. We just took in the lovely views tools some pictures and enjoyed the whole experience. I think we were just so lucky to get a day like we did. All our preparations stowing everything turned out not to be needed but it could have been a different story. It did take us bit longer as it was not a very big tide, only 6 metres, which did not give us much assistance and we had a head wind. By 2.55 pm we had to hove to outside the lock waiting for it to open which was not until 3.30.

The second Severn crossing

The first Severn crossing

Then we had another delay inside the outer lock which was huge, about the same size as a football pitch. Just after the lock are 2 swing bridges, and the lower one has to be opened for all boats and in hot weather it expands and gets stuck, so it had to be watered to cool it down. By 4.30pm we were through and we moored just a bit further up on the Sharpness and Gloucester canal, pleased with our achievement and glad not to have to be going back down K & A. Next stop Belfast.

Life on the ocean wave Part 1

Friday 22nd, breakfast duly arrived, was cooked, consumed and greatly enjoyed. As we were marking time we decided to go for a cruise. We turned round and went back to another mooring spot father back just passed the Avon Valley Country Park. It turned out to be a lovely spot just by an access point to the Bristol and Bath Railway path and cycleway. We also heard from the pilot that Sunday was definitely off but he was hoping for Tuesday as there was a commercial vessel going to be using the lock at Sharpness.

We therefore decided to travel into Bristol on Sunday so that Sam & Claire & Tom could come with us. Saturday we had a great day out and picnic with the others on Clifton downs with views of the gorge, which was lovely and we also walked across the Clifton suspension bridge. It was great to be looking down on the route that we were shortly going to take on the boat.

Here you can see the lock that takes us out to the river and the pale blue bridge that swings open

We had a good trip into Bristol on Sunday and a pub lunch in the harbour. We also manage to meet up with some other friends Andrea and David and their 3 children, and rounded off the day with live blues in The Old Duke pub in Bristol.

Monday 25th in the morning we prepared the boat for the sea trip, taping up doors and vents and securing loose or vulnerable items. We were booked in for the first lock out which was at midday. We ended up sharing the lock with a replica sailing ship, like the Golden Hind, which was called Matthew, this meant that two big busy road road bridges had to be swung. We left the lock at 12.15pm and went under the suspension bridge and on out to Avonmouth. Once there and being careful to avoid the sandbanks, which although it was only an hour off high tide by then, were still a worry, we took a left turn by the lighthouse and ventured out into the ocean ( Severn Estuary). Luckily it was not too windy so we didn't pitch very much or ship much water. Although not very far it took us 2 1/4 hrs as we were going against the tide and the wind. Tomorrow we collect the pilot in the lock at noon for the next step of the journey up to Sharpness and thence Gloucester Docks on the Sharpness & Gloucester Canal

In the lock

The swing bridge

Under the M5 with Avonmouth docks ahead

Portishead, somewhere over there

Made it

We're the only 2 narrowboats in the marina, you should see some these posh Tupperware boats

Bristol and beyond we hope

Monday and Tuesday we stayed in Bath doing the tourist bit. We did open top bus tour, market, Bath at work museum, Roman Baths, theatre to see This Happy Breed by Noel Coward, Royal Crescent and Circus, skyline bus tour, Jane Austin museum ( M only) we even saw the Peregrine,s on the church steeple.

Wednesday we moved on to Keynsham ( Horace Batchelor country) spelt.......K . Clive and I then cycled to Netham lock to speak to the keeper and get some info on Bristol moorings and the route beyond. At this lock we have to purchase a licence/mooring fee as the water is then controlled by Bristol City Coumcil and not BWB. As our journey up the estuary is weather dependant we don't want to spend too much time in Bristol at £27.50 per night. The lock at Sharpness has restricted passage due to water levels and leisure craft can only go through on Sun, Wed, and Fridays. We have to collect the pilot at Portishead and have to get there the day before our trip up to Sharpness as it can't all be done on one tide. As it's £33 per night there we don't want to get there too soon.

Thursday we took a train into Bristol to check out the area and speak to the Harbour Master. we had a good look round the docks area and went on the 'Matthew' a replica sailing boat and the SS Great Britain. We also heard from the pilot that the weather for Sunday was not looking good ( wind in excess of force 3) so suddenly we were having to mark time.

This is where we leave Bristol Harbour and head to Avonmouth and Portishead under the Clifton suspension bridge

A real shame as on Friday Sam and Claire were coming to visit and come with us to Portishead. They arrived with breakfast and instead of a trip to Portishead we went back to a nice spot near a cycle path/steam railway and went for a walk. We had an update from the pilot with fingers crossed for Tuesday as we can hopefully go through the lock with a commercial vessel that's expected and the weather is looking ok as well. New plan now is a trip out to the country with Sam & Co on Saturday and travel into Bristol on the boat with them on Sunday so we are ready to go to Portishead on Monday.......watch this space!!

Nearly there just Bristol to go

It was food festival week in Devizes and on the evening of the 11th we went to the Lamb Inn for a food based quiz. Good fun but no prizes. Tuesday we did the Caen Hill flight, 29 locks taking the canal down hill by 237ft in 2 1/4 miles. An easy ride for us all as we had our team with us. When we got to the bottom 5 hours later we all chilled out and fed the crew a pre prepared ( by the ladies) lasagne.

On Wed we set off towards Bradford on Avon. I had spoken to the pilot about our trip up the Severn Estuary, which we have provisionally booked for the 21st. Accordingly we stopped off at 'The Boatyard' at Hilperton to get various bits and engine spares as requested by the pilot. We actually have to collect the pilot from Portishead which is downstream from Bristol and we have to make our own way there. high tide at Bristol on the 21st is 12.30pm which will mean a reasonable 7.30am ish start. we probably won,t be ready to go before the Sunday as we have to explore Bath and Bristol first, so the timings will be different and more friendly by then.

A Buzzard

Thursday was Sue,s birthday when she turned 45 again. we spent the day in Bradford on Avon, a lovely place and ate out in a lovely pub specialising in proper pies and then we at last managed some live jazz in the Swan which was excellent. Friday we moved on to Dundas Wharf where the now defunct ( except a for a restored 400 yard stretch) Somerset Coal Canal branched off the K & A.

A cream tea at 11.30am....take note Lyndsay

Saturday it was raining a lot so we stayed put till lunch time then eventually moved on to the George at Bathampton as we were meeting our friends Sue & Pete again for a meal, but we managed to fit in Claverton pumping station powered by the widest working water wheel (25ft) but unfortunately it was not a working day. Sunday we had a visit from Sarah & Mark and Owen & Eve. they joined us at the George and we motored into Bath which involved 6 locks and a mini tunnel. One of the locks was the second deepest in England at 19 ft something. We all had a great time and a quick look round Bath they even went in to the pump room and tasted the mineral water which was generally found to be yuck. Within 1/2hr of them leaving we were receiving Richard & Liz from Dragonfly who were in Bristol visiting her Mum. Tomorrow and Tuesday we will probably stay in Bath and explore.