The forecast for today had shown cloud all day but we again had a delightful, warm and sunny day almost throughout. By the time we moored it was just about cloud-less.
Before we left our overnight mooring, Mike popped to the nearby Sainsbury for a paper - and some peppercorns! Some of the former warehouses have been converted to apartments and offices. Adjacent to Sainsbury (which is typical modern 'shed') is the former Green Park station building, with a collection of small shops and cafes.
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| Green Park Station |
As we were now on a substantial river our speed over the land was much higher that our usual canal experience! A long series of unremarkable functional bridges cross at frequent intervals as the river passes through the former industrial area - today the city makes little use of the river below the centre. A number of building sites were constructing new housing in place of factories. Seemingly calling something 'River View' adds to the price they command!
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| Approaching Weston Lock |
The river itself is most scenic - quite unlike our expectation from looking at Google! Few boats were on the move. Most we met at locks, for some reason!
One of the former railway lines that follow the river is now the Bristol and Bath Railway Path and we went under its bridges four times today.
The A4 crosses in majestic style.
Despite several caution signs, we only met a couple of rowing boats and no sailing ones. Just as well as, even though the river if wide, overhanging trees always seem to coincide with passing traffic and these blades are really quite extensive. We did not want a repeat of our experience earlier in the year on the River Stort.
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| Kelston Lock Weir |
We were amused to note that Christmas mistletoe is in full production.
Saltford Lock was the exception. Notices on the top gates request that one be shut before the other but even so there was a torrent of water coming from the cill so that both bottom paddles could only just empty the lock. The bottom locks were also badly fitting and Mike had to open the opposite gate before the one in front of the boat.
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| Keynsham Lock and Weir |
We spotted a couple of boats that very sadly did not survive the floods of last winter.
Below Hanham Lock the river is sometimes tidal when spring tides rise above the weir at Netham. As instructed we rang the lock keeper at Netham who told us that there was at the moment too strong a flow through the lock for safety and asked us to ring back in an hour. This we did, after completing our lunch which we had started 'on the run' before the lock, and were then told it was safe to set off. We could see that the river level had dropped 400mm or more.
As the tidal range is not great, there are no extensive mud banks to detract from the very scenic view as the river winds around several large loops before it arrives at the entrance to the Feeder Canal.
The lock gates at both ends were open and we gingerly proceeded through, trying to avoid a canoeist that insisted on waiting alarmingly close to the lock and where we needed to go. What Mike did not know was that there was a substantial current through the lock (apparently they take advantage of the spring tide to flush through the harbour) and he made an embarrassing hash of tying up beside the lock office!
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| Netham Lock |
The Feeder Canal itself is almost straight for about a mile but we were carried swiftly along on the flow that had earlier caused us so much hassle. A sharp turn at the end brought us to the start of the harbour area itself.
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| A rare concrete barge |
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| Redcliffe Back |
We were low enough to fit under the lifting Prince Street bridge and turned into the main mooring area with pontoons. Although we had no difficulty in finding a convenient space on the secure moorings, there were fewer empty places than we had been led to believe.
Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to take a more extensive trip around the harbour and the city centre so just a few of the immediate views for now.
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| Balmoral |
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| Popular quay-side sitting |
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