Bristol flying visit, 13/14 April

[ishtar]

We got back from Swansea late on Sunday night and had a message from 'the other side'. Not a ghost, but Graham from CBYC who was heading for Bristol on Monday afternoon and would we like to join him? Louise wasw working nights Sunday night, and again on Tuesday night, so we thought, yes, why not.

At the last minute, literally, Allan decided to join us aboard Cobby girl. 'I am going to do a Vince' he said. 'Doing a Vince' apparantly, is an old nautical term, dating back to late March, for disappearing off sailing with no notice, planning, food or clean clothes.

We gathered at the Locks at 16:00 and headed off. This is Graham and his sons, aboard Banjo:

[ishtar]

It was right on low tide, and my echo sounder read -0.7 as we left the lock. It was correct, as we ploughed a new furrow through the mud. The wind was fresh, and we all set off at a good pace:



Owning up time: Martin - remember to put a reef in before you need it, not just before the wind drops, and your arms are hanging off with weather helm. Louise: Remember that crossing the shipping channel means that there might be ships there, and maybe give them just a tad more room next time.....

[ishtar]

We entered the river as dusk fell. Allan had gone on ahead, whooping and screaming and enjoying himself in the breeze. We caught up with him in the river, and passed under the Clifton Bridge as it started to get dark:



Louise, in the lock, Cobby girl behind. Not quite sure why she looks drunk - that started later.

[ishtar]

Ishtar and Cobby girl in the morning. Louise taking Tigger for a walk:



Tigger really found his sea legs on this trip and was far more active around the boat. Not being terrorised by Lilly (who was probably watching Millwall or fighting in Afghanistan) seemed to help.

Here is a close up. No, really, a REAL close up:

[ishtar]

We had to lock out at 10:00, so not enough time, really.



Here's me, looking stylish and unconcerned by the traffic in the floating harbour:

[ishtar]

The beautiful river Avon passed by far too quickly and we passed under the M5 and out into the channel:



Managed to sail most of the way back, before it went dead calm. Eerily so:

[ishtar]

That's probably it from us for a few weeks. Amazingly, we've logged over 700 miles this year so far. We'll be diving this coming weekend, so can't make the Dance, nor the Newport trip. Hopefully we'll see some pictures of both here, when we get back.

Might have a vid or two. I'll see what they are like.

Martin

[ishtar]

This is Banjo, bowling along after leaving Cardiff:

[ishtar]

Here is a bit of video I shot of a completely irresponsible skipper going below to make tea whilst navigating the Avon. I'm not into 'naming and shaming' so I've done my best to make sure that there are no distinguishing features of either boat or skipper in the shot:

[ishtar]

Morning, heading for the channel:

[allan]

You woudn't understand, it is a English thing. We English need to have a constant supply of tea, from a teapot. At least I came into the cockpit to pour it!

[ishtar]

You've blown your cover now.