Monday 3 August 2015

We got going at about 9.30am this morning – no seagulls – how peaceful!!!  We are now on the River Avon heading for Bristol – I’m not 100% sure but think that when we arrived in Bath we left the Kennett & Avon and joined the River Avon.

A couple of locks, a few spots of rain and some nice conversation with a family from Cambridge that were waiting to pick up a hire boat, later we arrived at Hanham Lock in Keynsham.  We have to wait here until tomorrow as in between this lock and Netham Lock the River becomes tidal and there is nowhere to moor.  We called ahead to the lock keeper at Netham Lock and booked our passage for 1.30pm tomorrow.  We will have to buy a licence to go on this bit of the River as it comes under the jurisdiction of Bristol City Council.

We found a nice pub and had a drink (or four.....) with Rob and Claire, then back to the boats to chill out and back for dinner – yippee a night off the washing up!!

11.30pm – early night tonight.... or we had hoped for one.  When we got into bed we could hear a bomping noise on the outside of the boat, we tried to ignore it but in the end I convinced Steve that he needed to go out to investigate and loosen the ropes and put some more fenders between us and the pontoon.  Whilst he was outside a guy came along and said please can you come and help me - my boat is stuck on a scaffold pole and it’s about to sink....so he got dressed and off he went for what felt like ages – I was just starting to get really worried that he had been abducted by aliens or something when he came back – they had hiked across a field with their torches, Steve slipped down the bank and got covered in those sticky bobbles, then when they got there the guy said it’s alright now the boat is floating again and left Steve to make his way back across the field!!  We didn’t cure the bomping noise either but by 1.30pm we were so tired we just fell asleep.

Goodbye Phil and Kaz - have a good week off!

 

In Swineford Lock - the locks along this stretch are huge - longer and wider than they have been.

 

Another Heron - they seem to be the easiest to take photos of!

 

A duck enjoying the current of the wier.

Like buses, you don't see one for ages then three come at once!

 

This tree looks like it wants to go for a swim!

Follow my leader!

 

That's a different idea for a roof - a conservatory!

 

Sunken boat

 

Another Heron about to dive!

They come in green as well as orange!

Warning - drinking at lunch time causes afternoon crash out!

 

 

Sunday 2 August 2015

We had a lazy start to the day then went for lunch at the Pump Room attached to the Roman Baths – what an amazing room.

After lunch we slipped lines and set off for Swineford as we were in desperate need of water and loo emptying facilities.  The sun was shining with a light breeze – perfect Sunday afternoon for a cruise.  Once we had passed the outskirts of Bath we were treated to some more beautiful rambling countryside.

We found the emptying point which was not quite where the book said it would be and stopped to fill and empty.  The tap here was very slow but needs must so we waited it out.  Another boat, Moonshine, then came along side as they also needed water.  A young couple, Phil and Kaz, living on board who work for Bristol NHS but had taken annual leave this week.  We stood chatting for ages waiting for the water tank to fill and decided that as it was so late we would take our chances and moor on the jetty for the night.  We then ended up inviting them with Rob and Claire on board for some bread and cheese.

I don’t think that I have mentioned recently that we really are living the dream.  Every day feels like a holiday and we are enjoying every minute of it - happy days!

Sometimes the moorings are not the most convenient places to board or disembark!!

Cocktails in the Pump Room

Enjoying this fabulous room

Claire (Parmiter) I promised I wouldn't talk about food in the blog - but the starter was amazing :-)

The pianist at one end of this fabulous room.

And the other end of the room.

And the view over the Roman Baths

Entrance to the Pump Room

Leaving Bath

Some of the noisy blighters that woke us up every morning!

Dolphin Bridge

Maureen and Jim!

Manor Farm - I think!

Pretty Weir at Saltford 

Rolling Countryside

We thought when we saw the tent in Semington that they had chosen an odd place to camp but this is an even stranger choice of location - right next to the poo emptying facility!!!

Chatting with Kaz waiting for the water tank to fill!

The sky is quite dramatic tonight - view in front.

And the view behind!

Thursday 30 July - Saturday 1 August 2015

Rudely awoken by the seagulls each morning at about 6am – it sounds like you have loads of people on the roof of the boat laughing at you.  I can think of nicer sounds to wake up to!

We’ve had a great few days in Bath, we did the City bus tour, saw the Abbey and the Roman Baths.

Claire arrived on Friday and Saturday evening an Australian couple (Richard and Louise) that Rob had met at the Caen flight came over for supper – as we have a bit more table room Rob did the cooking and we provided the dining table.  Richard and Louise have taken a few months out to travel Europe.  Louise plays the violin – extremely well and after dinner and a few glasses of wine she treated us to a few renditions – amazing!

Standing still - a chance to get some touching up done!

 

Off for a ride on the City Tour Bus - one of these houses is where Jane Austin wrote some of her work.

 

The curved bays on the backs of some of the Crescent

and from the front

Victoria Gardens

The black box on the back of this house is listed - it's the loo!

 

Steve did the curtains in this house a few years ago!

The Hilton where we came to Pete's Ladies Night a few years ago!

Bath Abbey

Fabulous stained glass windows - I have to tell you a funny story, as we entered the Abbey Claire went to put her contribution in the attendant's coffee cup rather than the box - well it made us laugh!!

Around the top of the choir stand

Impressive.

Oh dear - not a great look Steve, even if you are only trying to rescue a few things from the sudden downpour of rain!

Richard giving us a warm up for the main event

Louise - a true professional.

Smile!

She plays for an orchestra and teaches
 

Time to go - enjoy the rest of your travels.

Bath by moonlight.