It was a bit of an early start for us as we were up at 0545. Well I was, Helen was about 10 mins. later! We were soon underway and as we approached the low level bridge they blokes turned up and it opened for us. We passed slowly through the dock passed a couple of ships that were ready to start work after arriving at the weekend. We moored in the lock where we were given long lines attached to chains on the top of the lock to moor with. We then waited almost an hour for the pilot, Tim, to arrive.
Sitting in the inner lock waiting for the pilot. Below is the half tide basin and the outer gate can be seen closed. As the river level rose to equal the outer basin the outer gates opened.
Tim arrived and gave us a brief outline of the trip and then we waited a little before they started lowering us down. Once the gates were open for us the Pilot decided that we were able to go as it wasn't too far off high water so we popped out and set off.
As we came out of the bewteen the breakwater we could see the tide ripping across the end of the pier. We then head very close to the end of the breakwater and the noise rushing through the timbers was quite intimidating. As we rounded the end it was the 'give it all you've got Scotty' moment as we headed into the current proper. We staggered away at a very slow speed and were able to move out of the channel and into water moving more slowly and so gain a little more speed.
With the height of tide and our draft means that really we could go anywhere in the channel at this state of tide. So we mainly tried to keep out of the main stream until the tide turned and then looked for the channels to take advantage of the current.
This beacon marks a line of rocks that runs from the south side and is impassable for ships, and even we kept away from it. The two Severn crossings are in view as we pick up speed towards them.
As we pass under the first Severn Crossing it reminds us of the Humber Bridge as it is the same style although this one was built first. The toll is £6 but only one way. I'm not sure whether you pay to get into, or out of Wales!
Despite the lovely weather it was quite cool on the river, as is the helmsman, or so he appears in this photo.
The second Severn Crossing is a different bridge and in the sun the stays make a very pretty sight.
Once through the second bridge ships have much more sea room as the and the worst bit of an outward passage is over. The Gloucester Pilots usually pick up and drop their charges off Barry. The sun finally broke through and it got warmer.
As we approach Portishead we contact them to find that we have missed the earlier lock and will have to wait for the last lock. We hung around outside for a while and then moved in to the breakwaters and just sat there waiting.
Just sat alongside the breakwater waiting for the last lock at 1030. The trip took us around 2.5 hours and then another 30 mins waiting. Two little angling boats came out and we were cleared to enter the lock.
As the lock is now only used by small craft they have fixed floating pontoons to more to, making it very easy to make fast in the deep lock. Then, as the water started us up slowly I went up to pay our £22 for lock use and book the outward lock for later in the afternoon.
All locks very high tech. with the control tower and our first glimpse of the marina. We were the only narrow boat there. The dock was actually opened 1879 when it was built to assist with the congestion at Bristol. Later two power stations were built and coal was brought in for them. A big animal feed mill was built and later a phosphorus works was built to produce the acid from phosphate rock that was brought in. Lots of munitions were exported from here in the wars too. Commercial traffic finished in 1992 and the marina opened in 2001.
By now the heat was fantastic and added to the idea that we were abroad at some resort. The buildings round the marina and the style of houses, along with the cafe culture around and the folks promenading around. It also felt like it when we went to the shops and stepped off the main area and the pavement was unmade and hoardings were up, just like some resorts in Spain etc.
We had a walk round the marina and bought some milk. We found that a Lidl wasn't too far away so we went back and did a big shop so that we are stocked for a few days and don't have to do food shopping in Bristol. It was a beautiful day and great for a coffee near the lock. This is the approach to the lock and we wondered where all the water had gone? You can see where we were sat waiting for the lock has a big bank of mud alongside. Again it goes to show you the rise and fall of the tide here.
After doing the shopping we still had a couple of hours to wait for our lock out. We got the chairs out on the pontoon and sat soaking up the sun and drinking elder flower cordial (homemade on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal) and chatting to the passers by who were interested in knowing what we were up to.
I have split today's blog up into two as there are so many photos I wanted to publish.
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