Thursday 6 August 2015

Tuesday 4 August 2015

No seagulls this morning but have you ever heard a moorhen?  It sounded like a little yappie dog barking constantly – so much so that I had to get up and look out to see what was making all the noise!  I’ve decided that I love wildlife just not at 6am!

We made our way to Bristol today.  We had to wait until 12ish before we could leave Keynsham (pronounced Kanesham hey Dad?!) as we had to go on the tidal bit of river and had called ahead to the Lockkeeper at Netham Lock where he said he would get the gates open for us so we could go straight through as at a certain time the tide causes the level of the river to be the same both sides of the lock.
We got through Hanham Lock where it said you were leaving/arriving at the Kennett & Avon so not quite sure where the River Avon turned back into the Kennett & Avon!!

We were now travelling with the tide and it’s a strange feeling we were doing hardly any revs and the boat was just being carried along.  The river is lined by woods on both sides for most of the way so you can’t see what lies beyond but it was a peaceful trip downstream other than the odd lump of floating tree and burst dingy!
Once we were through the open lock we had to stop to buy our license as the River now comes under the jurisdiction of Bristol City Council.  John the Lock Keeper at Netham Lock – what a lovely guy, very funny and very generous – when we said our boat was 17 metres long he told us it was 14 metres long saving us money on our licence for the week, he was very informative about where to moor and what facilities there were. 

As we arrived in Bristol it was a bit like being on the Thames – not from the current point of view but the fact that it was wide with ferries and tourist boats buzzing around.  We found a great mooring right in the centre of town opposite SS Great Britain and with electric hook up – bonus!
Managed to get some essential washing and ironing done then went for a drink in the evening followed by a Chinese and a night cap in a blues and jazz bar where it was open mic night.

 
De-bobbling the jumper!


My new herb garden!

And some flowers for the front!

The Chequers Inn, Keynsham

And the Old Lock and Wier

Looks like we are ready to go - I had better get back to the boat!

Hanham Lock - leaving the Kennett & Avon.

Keynsham - another lovely village.

Wow I bet it looked different here then.

Can you see how high that flood line was...

Dead dingy.

Trees as far as the eye can see.

Wild flowers in full bloom.

We have ourselves a convoy!

Straight through Netham Lock.

John - the Lock keepers office!

Roadway, Walkway, Railway, Riverway!

Interesting steeples.

Approaching Bristol - reminds me a bit of Reading!

Floating Garden.

Jaws the Ferry!

Rob are you going to fit under that bridge...?

Is it 2015?

Ok stop eating the boat and I will get you some food!

Home for the next week - moored up opposite SS Great Britain.

A walk into town.

The Cathedral.

Is that a Banksy?

In the Jazz Bar

One thing to do with your used bottles - build a wall!

Water features on the walk home.

 
 

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