Down to Bristol.       Part one, from Bath to the River Avon.

Picked Terry up from the Cambridge bus at Bicester and got down to Cribbit by about 1330. Jim was there already and had got the covers off and the fire lit. Terry had brought lunch and I had brought beer so we were soon fed, watered, warm and ready to go.

Fed, watered, warm and ready to go.

We soon got started on the Bath flight

Picked up a couple of Chinese students from Edinborurgh University

The chimney is for the boiler of the former pumping station.

There used to be seven locks from Bath to the Avon but two were combined when the canal was restored in 1976, this is Bath deep lock, 19 feet.

Turned upstream from the bottom lock towards Pulteney Bridge.

Working the bottom lock we enquired about where there were suitable moorings to be had and was directed to the private moorings of the Bath City Boat trips by its owner. 'My boat is having her bottom blacked so you are welcome to use the moorings.' he said 'and if anyone says anything to you about using them, just tell them to Piss OFF! because John told you it was alright'.

There used to be public moorings here but alas no more as they were deemed to be too expensive to supervise. Sad because this is a perfect place to moor to visit Bath.

We had worked down with nb Hannah, so he was included in the invitation too but he soon decided to head back up for the night.

We were soon out for an exploration of the city.

View of Cribbit through the water control sluice.

Cribbit looking very insignificant next to the weir. Bath rugby club stadium, The Rec behind.

Terry is better know for ducking than diving.

Pulteney Bridge.

Our destination, the Bell Inn.

Pints of Butcombe and Otter ales.

On previous visits we had been a little intrigued by the guy sitting behind us, who has been there every time we have. He sits at 'his' table with a pint and a half. He sips from the half, and sometimes the pint, but always tops the pint glass up before he heads off for a smoke or a pee, which he does regularly, leaving the full pint glass in charge of and reserving the table.

This table is reserved!

Bath Abbey as seen from Cribbit.