We have been here for three days. It’s a great place to moor, though there is some noise from the clubs and bars. Bristol’s harbourside is very much at the heart of the city’s social life. Up until the nineteen sixties it was a busy working docks, but the tidal nature of the river Avon and the size of the entrance lock made it uneconomic for the larger modern ships, so the commercial activity moved down river to Avonmouth. For a while the city docks were a bit of an embarassment as they became run down and dirty. There was even a plan to fill them in! But in recent years there has been a lot of redevelopment and a real effort to restore and renovate the best of what was left.

Bigger boats that us used to moor up here

We have had various freinds and family come to visit whilst we’ve been here. Daughters Liz & Nik and all the grandchildren (except Josh who was working) cam for lunch on Monday to celebrate Becca’s 15th birthday. On Tuesday afternoon Heddi’s sister Val with husband Dave and daughter Claire called by for a chat and a glass of cider. Later that evening Teresa, her sister San and parents Polly & Albert joined us on the pontoon for wine and cheese & biscuits on a lovely warm sunny evening.
We have really enjoyed our time in Bristol, it’s the nearest city to where we live but we dont tend to go there except maybe in the evening for a meal.

The Matthew, a replica of John Cabot’s ship, with a hot air balloon behind.