Post by sheila on Jun 27, 2011 14:16:02 GMT
Finally got round to getting some photos done and having time to write a brief account of our trip to Bristol. Friday 10th we locked out at around 0900 in company with Allan on Chausey. We had a pretty good sail over and got up to Bristol around 14.30. After some delay in which we thought we would have to remain in the Cumberland Basin because there were problems with opening and closing the bridges, we eventually hung a swift right after going through the bridge, moored u[p outside the Cottage pub, went and paid our harbour fees and have a few bevvies in the Nova Scotia. Our friend Pieter walked down to meet us, and then he joined us on board as we sailed up and found a mooring on the pontoon at Hanover Quay, which is just opposite the SS Great Britain, and just below the apartment block where our friends live - very convenient! Not suitable for everyone as there is only a depth of 1.5m, and it is well favoured by the narrow boats.
Friday evening Vince and I went out for dinner with our friends while Allan met up with his son.
Saturday turned out to be quite a nice day, and later in the afternoon we were joined by Martyn, Sarah & Andy (& Tilly) on Bright Flyer. Meanwhile Vince had decided he wanted to get the dinghy out, and go for a little motor about. So we duly inflated it, put on the outboard and Pieter Vince & I went on a sightseeing tour. We went up to the harbour to the Cabot Cruising Club, which was unfortunately closed at the time. However the notice on the door said that it opened on Saturdays so we decided to go back later in the evening.
We returned much later that evening after having gone for dinner with our friends, and having previously arranged to meet Martyn, Sarah, Andy & Allan there, only to find that it was still closed!
Instead we headed off for the Ostrich pub where we found Martyn, Sarah, Andy and Allan. Several drinks later we all headed off back to the boats, the walk doing us quite a lot of good!
Sunday was a miserable day, it did not stop raining. Chausey & Bright Flyer had to get back to Cardiff, but we had planned to stay until Monday. It had been forecast to be strong winds on Sunday, but lighter on Monday.
Chausey & Bright Flyer waiting for the bridge to open to enter the Cumberland Basin.
We spent the day having a lovely roast lunch in the Nova Scotia, then we walked back to the boat via Bristol Marina
and then we found a lovely pub just behind the SS Great Britain called the Orchard, where they have an extensive range of ciders.
After a rest back on Alana, we ventured out once again in the evening to the Bristol Cruising Club, situated on board the boat Sabrina. We had a very warm welcome, and were told that the Cabot Cruising club members had gone off cruising somewhere, which was why that was closed. Anyhow, BCC runs jazz sessions on Sunday evenings, so we were wll entartained.
I don't know what it was like for the others on their return, but we found our journey back on Monday pretty horrid with the wind right on the nose and although not particularly strong it was a very uncomfortable sail home.
Friday evening Vince and I went out for dinner with our friends while Allan met up with his son.
Saturday turned out to be quite a nice day, and later in the afternoon we were joined by Martyn, Sarah & Andy (& Tilly) on Bright Flyer. Meanwhile Vince had decided he wanted to get the dinghy out, and go for a little motor about. So we duly inflated it, put on the outboard and Pieter Vince & I went on a sightseeing tour. We went up to the harbour to the Cabot Cruising Club, which was unfortunately closed at the time. However the notice on the door said that it opened on Saturdays so we decided to go back later in the evening.
We returned much later that evening after having gone for dinner with our friends, and having previously arranged to meet Martyn, Sarah, Andy & Allan there, only to find that it was still closed!
Instead we headed off for the Ostrich pub where we found Martyn, Sarah, Andy and Allan. Several drinks later we all headed off back to the boats, the walk doing us quite a lot of good!
Sunday was a miserable day, it did not stop raining. Chausey & Bright Flyer had to get back to Cardiff, but we had planned to stay until Monday. It had been forecast to be strong winds on Sunday, but lighter on Monday.
Chausey & Bright Flyer waiting for the bridge to open to enter the Cumberland Basin.
We spent the day having a lovely roast lunch in the Nova Scotia, then we walked back to the boat via Bristol Marina
and then we found a lovely pub just behind the SS Great Britain called the Orchard, where they have an extensive range of ciders.
After a rest back on Alana, we ventured out once again in the evening to the Bristol Cruising Club, situated on board the boat Sabrina. We had a very warm welcome, and were told that the Cabot Cruising club members had gone off cruising somewhere, which was why that was closed. Anyhow, BCC runs jazz sessions on Sunday evenings, so we were wll entartained.
I don't know what it was like for the others on their return, but we found our journey back on Monday pretty horrid with the wind right on the nose and although not particularly strong it was a very uncomfortable sail home.