A special birthday, and a wet journey to Bath

 Thursday 26 August

Sandra:  On Thursday it was my eldest daughter's birthday.  My parents and I drove up to her home in Malpas, Cheshire, to spend it with her - such a special treat to be able to share her day.  The weather wasn't too flash, but Lisa loves to chill at home so it wasn't a problem, and that's where we remained until late afternoon when we took a walk into the village. 

I return to Northern Pride on Friday, refreshed from five days of land living.

 

Lisa, Sandra and Irene - three generations of Walshes

Barry:  The morning brought a very drizzly and grey day, though not too cold or windy. It was then a case of risking life and limb getting ashore to pull the pins and get going without going overboard.

The view from the boat, back towards Saltford Lock

One lone swan patrolling the river 

Most boaters would probably wait the weather out, but an umbrella and coat can make for very enjoyable boating 

 At least it's easier to get through locks without all the traffic

 My mooring was just behind the last boat

It's a long way to the sea from here!

The boats moored precariously above the weir at Kelston Lock

Not sure I'd sleep well during flood time knowing my boat was this close to a weir

 What magic cruising when you're all alone, not a soul in sight when in the distance another boat appears out of the mist

 not so magic when one appears unexpectedly around a blind corner

 A truly spectacular and elegant bridge

   The weir system at Bath 

 Once out of the last lock there's a run through some very bushy and overgrown banks before emerging into the suburbs of Bath 

 I stopped to pick some damsons from this tree only to find this moorhen already there 

 Back to Bath and the moorings on the left

After mooring up and a bacon sandwich, it was time for a walk into town and a quiet pint or two. Following a beer in one pub I wandered round a backstreet to find the 'Volunteer Rifleman's Arms'. A tiny pub barely room for a dozen or so patrons, but had a selection of it seems every conceivable spirit. Two or three beers and a shot of chilli Sambuca (that a bloke at the bar shouted) later, and it was back to the boat.

I'll have to say I did enjoy being a lone boater for a short time, though it would get quite lonely after a while. Looking forward to Sandra's return tomorrow.