 We picked Fulbourne up in Bath, and travelled first to Bristol. Here is Pippa alongside as we wait at Bath Top Lock. |
 Pippa (6½) and Clare (8½) pose on the towpath. |
 Sharing Weston Lock with a cruiser. |
 Waiting to enter Kelston Lock. |
 Swineford Lock. |
 George (10½) lifts a paddle. |
 It was extremely hot and this was one of a number of places where local kids were cooling off in the river. |
 Pippa Steering. |
 Clare uses all her strength to steer round a bend. |
 At Hanham we moored up for lunch to a rather rickety staging. This was as close in as we could get, and we all had to walk the top plank and get off at the bow. |
 Pippa multi tasking. |
 Rosie watches as we cruise down the Floating Harbour in Bristol. |
 Approaching Prince Street Bridge. |
 We continued to the bottom of the floating Harbour, which is overlooked by these colourful houses. |
 Ties up on the visitor moorings. |
 Ex GUCCCo Big Northwich, Redshank passes ex GUCCCo Big Woolwich, Fulbourne. |
 They didn't open Princes Street bridge for us, but they did for this cruiser. |
 Returning from a trip around the Industrial Museum, we found two men arriving in an inflatable to dismantle the steps down to our pontoon. |
 They were soon joined by another man with a crane who lowered the steps onto the pontoon as we departed. |
 Another trip back to the bottom of the harbour, past the water activities centre, before we headed back east. |
 Clare steers confidently. |
 At Saltford we locked through and tied up to the back of the lock jetty, against a shorter narrowboat that looked to be a permanent feature. While eating in the Jolly Sailor, we saw the cruiser "The Alternative" lock through and tie up alongside us. We spent the rest of the evening with its crew, Nick and Sue, drinking more than was good for us! |
 The children of course suffered no effects of the night before and were soon cooling off in the river... |
 ... and were joined by Jacqui and Rosie. |
 Back in Bath we left the river and climbed up Bath Locks. |
 Clare demonstrates confidence verging on recklessness. |
 Bath Top Lock with its attractive lock cottage. |