Patch Bridge 26 April 2019

Morning drizzle but as we only encountered the two swing bridges we managed to stay relatively dry. We saw the swan nesting alongside the second swing bridge. Moored at Patch to visit Slimbridge. Had an an excellent lunch at The Tudor Arms Inn. We sat indoors unlike our recce in February when we dined alfresco!

Stormy sky

Wildlife notice

A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush so goes the old proverb. It’s probably referring to pheasants!

This amused us. There is a Monday to Friday only school bus.

One of the Willow Trusts boats

The Ships Graveyard, Purton 23 April 2019

In the afternoon we decided to walk up to Purton to reach our ten thousand steps for the day. We first encountered the old railway that crossed the canal and river until 1960

The bridge over the canal had to be able to swing to let large vessels reach Gloucester

Disaster struck in 1960 when two ships missed the canal entrance, carried on up the Severn and hit the rail bridge over the River Severn. The boats were carrying oil and the first ship exploded. Five men died This picture shows the result of the collision. The bridge was demolished

Caught a glimpse of a train running alongside the river on the track above

Then we came to the ships graveyard. Ships were beached to protect the shore and stop the canal bank being eroded

All the ships are noted with their position and each one has its own plaque. A nice touch

On a more cheerful note a resident of Purton has made this little canalside grotto to collect money for The Willow Trust. A charity that runs daily trips on two large boats for disabled groups.

Purton is a tiny village with two swing bridges and a helpful bridge keeper. Nick. He recommended a visit to the church

It has an amusing poem to ask for donations. Needless to say we made a donation!

And simple flowers

Our step count was 9,324!!! Must try harder!

Portishead to Sharpness 23 April 2019

Our second sea crossing, coincidentally is two years to the day since crossing The Wash. Not a seal in sight just logs and debris.

Up at 5.45 to be ready to enter the lock at 6.45. Light hazy cloud, 13.8 degrees, pressure 995mb. Lifeboat still moored! Little fishing boat left the lock first. Beware of traffic from Portbury Dock!

Goodbye Portishead

Pilot Carl was in charge.

The first bridge to go under was the Second Severn Crossing

I never realsised how much it curved

Approaching the old bridge

You can just make out the former service station

It was turned into offices and Tony worked there for a while. I suspect he spent some time gazing out to sea!

The sea was reddish brown thanks to all the mud. The tide at Avonmouth was 12.9 metres, that is forty two and a half feet! This is higher than normal!

Approaching Sharpness

Notice how Matilda is coming into the lock entrance at an angle and at high speed

Ropes are lowered down to secure the boat. Matilda is in the smaller lock below not the one above which is for huge ships. It takes 1 hour 20 minutes to fill

A bridge swing to leave the docks

Sharpness Marina

Moored up on the Sharpness Visitor Moorings at 10.28. Able to relax now although it was a very smooth voyage. Definitely needed a pilot. Thank you Carl. He even gave us a plaque!

22 April 2019

An early start departing at 7:41 to be ready for the 8.15 Bridge swing. Picked up Pilot Steve at Cumberland Basin ready for the tide to be ready. Eleven yachts and Matilda waiting…..

It used to cause chaos when there was a bridge swing at rush hour

The suspension bridge

The kindness of strangers: Paul Wilkes, moored opposite us at Arnolfini, saw our boat approaching the suspension bridge where he works and took the folowing photos. At the very least we owe him tea and cake! Terrific clear shots and the first we’ve had of Matilda on the move.

Approaching Avon bridge carrying M5 Motorway

In Portishead lock

Matilda moored safely away from the cruisers! at 11.29

The Marina was built on derelict land. It’s a very smart development

So off we went to explore. The High Street looks pretty much the same but obviously the new development attracted Waitrose, Travel Lodge and Lidl!

Trying hard to improve the appearance of the town. Lovely display

Lakeside is prety much as it was but with new addition of decorative boats. We walked to Battery point, past the lido and through the woods to the Lifeboat station

The Lifeboat shop was manned by three charming ladies who pointed out a few interesting things. This is before

This is after

Then back via the lock, not terribly attractive at low tide

But later in the evening

The off to the Co-op cash machine that debited my account but dispensed no money!!!! It became apparent that this machine had failed to deliver before. Happily the bank refunded my money!

Angela from the RNLI shop came to visit but we remain unsure whether she summoned the Ilfracombe lifeboat should we need assistance. It crept in late at night…….

Bristol 20 & 21 April 2019

Things became very busy on Friday evening and Saturday. Boats arrived with the tide. Some very smart craft looking for secure moorings

Music from all quarters, people sitting on the edge of the quay, trip boats and ferries and the engine by the MShed

We walked over to Asda.

The tide was out. Asda was pretty awful. Every type of apple was foreign. from France, Germany, USA and Chile, but the parsips at 50p were english so I bought those and went to an organic farm shop for apples. Bought another ice cream from Olivers (Simnel cake flavour this time!) Bought a take home pack for the freezer!

Another warm and sunny day

Up early Sunday to fill up with water and fuel did some washing and all those other jobs in anticipation of moving. Confirmed Pilots and weather

Arnolfini Mooring Bristol 18 – 19 April 2019

A brilliant mooring right outside Arnolfini. Very popular with the natives! Most of our time was spent exploring the dock area on foot. I was amazed how much it had changed since I left in 97. Here are a few snaps.

Greenshank Cafe had delicious home made carrot cake. The best I have tasted in years.

The SS Great Britain is still drawing in the crowds

Oposite the SS Great Britain is mooring that is now called Brunel Quays. It’s pontoons are very short so not suitable for Matilda. It has electic but no security.

Bristol Marina is suprisingly small but has very obliging staff

Colourful houses

It’s well worth walking up to Underfall Yard to step back in time and see the victorian engineering

We like to educate so

The Matthew. I remember it being built! This one I mean not the original!

An odd mix of things inside but some eye catching items

I loved the floor map. See where I lived……

I couldn’t leave out Matilda!

Spectacular views from the terrace including this one of a man cleaning the crane

To the rear od the MShed is this row of small shops etc called Cargo. When you look closely you can see they are all shipping containers. The one with the orange flag in the centre is Olivers Ice Cream. Put it on you list to visit!

St Nicholas Market. Much smarter that I remembered

Fabulous cake stall, sadly I had just eaten breakfast.

In the evening friends Claire and Chris came to catch up. We went to The Hole in The Wall. This was where we met in January 1991. It has taken 28 years for us to return!

Bristol 16 April 2019

Took a wander round the docks after mooring

I had to include this! Ferry Matilda passing Matilda Devizes!

Brunel Quays is quite a smart place to moor if you have a short boat and it looks out to SS great Britain

John Cabot gazes out over the harbour

The lovely Queens Square

The Hole in the Wall. We met here for the very first time in January 1991! Not been back since!!!

Keynsham to Bristol 16 April 2019

A morning of steady rain Sailing past the old Frys factory. Now a huge new housing “village”

The river passes through a very pretty valley . We soon arrived at Beeses Tea Garden but now it is calle a Riverside Bar!!

A considerable amount of housing development along both banks followed by old city factories and workshops. Then familiar sights as we approach the heart of the city

St Mary Redcliffe

Princes Street bridge is low. Would we make it?

It was very close. Probably four inches clearance!

Secure mooring outside Arnolfini with electric post. The rain had just stopped!