1st and 2nd October
Headed off from our mooring along the Avon on a cooler morning. Locks are still heavy even though some are much shallower. Reached Netham Lock just outside Bristol some 5 hours later, bought our mooring licence (which works out to £25 per night) and cruised through its busy waterfront to the Cumberland basin just to view it all, then turned back to find a peaceful mooring with approx 25 berths all with hook-up and water should you want them and below modern blocks of flats - very central once again. A short walk from Millenium Square and Harbourside with their many restaurants and bars and evening hubbub.
The next day we explored into the city, finding Queens Square and St Nicholas Market (the old corn exchange with it's clock with two minute hands). We are moored opposite Brunel's SS Great Britain, so got the ferry across from 'our' jetty and visited the ship. This is very well displayed with lots to see and so atmospheric. Peering into cabin doors, you are jolted by scenes of 1800s - the surgeons, the barber, crew and passengers. The first class dining hall is set for dinner with one table even displaying the remains of it on plates. Having worked in the prop industry for so long, this was propping and set designing at it's best. We felt like we were there. It even felt as though the ship were rolling due to its curved and sometimes rickety floors.
Having visited No 1 Royal Crescent in Bath which totally lacked atmosphere, being pristine and museum-like, this shows how it can be done. Whilst Pete asked questions about the workings of the ship and how they got it back from the Falklands in 1970, I was transfixed by the minor details of life onboard it in the 19th century.
Later that afternoon, my mate Sarah and her family came on board Ani for tea and cake. What a rush of energy all of a sudden, with two very confident boys; 8 and 10 finding all sorts of things to muck about with!! I think I've forgotten what young keen lads can be like. Great to see them, lots of chat, which will continue tomorrow as we have been invited to dinner with them. So much to catch up on as I haven't seen them for a good 6 ? years.
Headed off from our mooring along the Avon on a cooler morning. Locks are still heavy even though some are much shallower. Reached Netham Lock just outside Bristol some 5 hours later, bought our mooring licence (which works out to £25 per night) and cruised through its busy waterfront to the Cumberland basin just to view it all, then turned back to find a peaceful mooring with approx 25 berths all with hook-up and water should you want them and below modern blocks of flats - very central once again. A short walk from Millenium Square and Harbourside with their many restaurants and bars and evening hubbub.
The next day we explored into the city, finding Queens Square and St Nicholas Market (the old corn exchange with it's clock with two minute hands). We are moored opposite Brunel's SS Great Britain, so got the ferry across from 'our' jetty and visited the ship. This is very well displayed with lots to see and so atmospheric. Peering into cabin doors, you are jolted by scenes of 1800s - the surgeons, the barber, crew and passengers. The first class dining hall is set for dinner with one table even displaying the remains of it on plates. Having worked in the prop industry for so long, this was propping and set designing at it's best. We felt like we were there. It even felt as though the ship were rolling due to its curved and sometimes rickety floors.
Having visited No 1 Royal Crescent in Bath which totally lacked atmosphere, being pristine and museum-like, this shows how it can be done. Whilst Pete asked questions about the workings of the ship and how they got it back from the Falklands in 1970, I was transfixed by the minor details of life onboard it in the 19th century.
Later that afternoon, my mate Sarah and her family came on board Ani for tea and cake. What a rush of energy all of a sudden, with two very confident boys; 8 and 10 finding all sorts of things to muck about with!! I think I've forgotten what young keen lads can be like. Great to see them, lots of chat, which will continue tomorrow as we have been invited to dinner with them. So much to catch up on as I haven't seen them for a good 6 ? years.
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