cribbitDOTnet October 2016

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Down to Bristol. Part four, Bristol's floating harbour to Bath.

When we came in through Netham lock, the lock keeper warned us that there was a strong flow through it and to take care. In fact, the levels were well up and I didn't see the submerged jetty at the start of the lock moorings until too late. Having visited the hydraulic pumping station, I now understood what was happening, silt was being scoured from the harbour by the extra head of water provided by the spring tides. [Silt and excess water going out through the sluices and tunnels at the Underflow Yard.]

The high tides meant that we needed to get out of the harbour before the level got too high so we needed an early start, leaving our moorings at 0700 and arriving [a bit tight] at Netham lock at just 0800.

Leaving Arnolfini moorings at sparrow farts.

Netham lock.

The gates close behind us.

Heronry.

Also called [by some] a heron rookery!

We picked up Roger and Marie and their friends Mick and Diane at The Jolly Sailor. They left us at Newbridge and walked back for their car at the Jolly Sailor, we headed for Bath and John's mooring at Pulteney Weir.

Bit of a hold up at Kelston Lock... the gate was jammed with flotsam from the weir.

Much poking with sticks and barge poles needed.

Finally managed to get through and then decided that it was LUNCH time.

Our passengers slipped ship at Newbridge and we carried on to Pulteney weir. They had had such a good time that they begged to join us again on the morrow...even at sparrow farts again, Captain saying that he would leave the mooring at 0715 whatever! Prophetic words indeed as the whatever turned out to be torrential rain and no way out of it on the Bath flight. Notice that there are no pics from this part of the journey...it was far too wet for cameras, or even the thought of cameras. Moored at the first fourteen day mooring spot we could find.