May 2012 - additional new report added - see below - now with added 'through trip'!
............................................................
“Mummy, when can we have a boat like that?”
And so rang out the first audible comment from the mouth of a small child.
Being typical reserved Brits, most of the adults just chose to gawp, rather than comment.
But I ask you, what could be a more normal amongst the Mothers Day crowds enjoying a sunny Sunday stroll than three grown men changing into wetsuits on the side of Bristol's floating harbour and inflating three of the most ridiculously small boats imaginable - two uber-cool Union Jack design ones (£9.99 Minehead seafront) and one that cost a whole two quid more from Ebay (but rightfully cost more because it had the word 'Explorer' emblazoned along it's sides)
And so Captain Urbanity, Rear Admiral Spungletrumpet and Cabin-boy Styru set sail upon the River Avon.
Casting off they skilfully navigated* (*yes, actually, the boats are meant to go round in circles like that – it's good to have 360 degree view of any dangers) past speeding river taxi's and killer swans round to the opening of 'Castle Moat'
Probably not too obvious from it's title, but 'Castle Moat' used to be, er, well a castle moat actually - however in 1847 it all went dark for the moat when it was permanently covered to become another of Bristols almost forgotten waterways.
Sadly, no pics of the entrance from me - I'm too 'cool and l33t' to be seen using a camera in public! (well, OK, that's not 100% true – it has more to do with the fact that I was desperately bailing out my boat with the tiny cup from the top on my flask at this stage
)
Once inside we made for dry land to sort kit, add air to slightly floppy boats, and take a couple of pics.
Before heading off down the beautiful stone built culvert.
After about 45 mins of paddling, at it's far end the moat meets the culverted river Frome – or rather it would do, had some mean civil engineer not put a wall in its way (although given the difference in levels it is probably a good thing that he did!)
Mooring the boats we turned south-west and followed the River (knee-high wading) for some distance before retracing our steps back towards its meeting point with Castle Moat, keen to push on we followed the Frome north-east along the length of the culvert, rejoining the outside world in a cutting picturesquely situated between a branch of 'Staples' (note to inflatable boat explorers – staples are best avoided) and the Salvation Army Hostel.
Having reached the Salvation Army we were faced with a tough choice, go in and demand soup, or head back to the moat.
(photography tip no.48 - always find a firm base for your tripod)
(Captain Urbanity looks for danger - all together now - 'it's behind you!' )
The thrill of more boating took precedence and we headed back, stopping on the way to explore some new storm drainage that joined the Frome.
Seen here, it looks like boring concrete pipe, but just beyond this was, er, well more concrete pipe, so having followed it a bit, we turned around and headed back to the moat, another lengthy paddle later and we were back on the Avon, and posing for photos/answering questions from bemused members of the public!
A highly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday! - thanks for company my fellow nautical explorers, and thanks for looking all you land-lubbers!
...................................................................................
May 2012 - additional new report added - see below - now with added 'through trip'!
.
............................................................
“Mummy, when can we have a boat like that?”
And so rang out the first audible comment from the mouth of a small child.
Being typical reserved Brits, most of the adults just chose to gawp, rather than comment.
But I ask you, what could be a more normal amongst the Mothers Day crowds enjoying a sunny Sunday stroll than three grown men changing into wetsuits on the side of Bristol's floating harbour and inflating three of the most ridiculously small boats imaginable - two uber-cool Union Jack design ones (£9.99 Minehead seafront) and one that cost a whole two quid more from Ebay (but rightfully cost more because it had the word 'Explorer' emblazoned along it's sides)
And so Captain Urbanity, Rear Admiral Spungletrumpet and Cabin-boy Styru set sail upon the River Avon.
Casting off they skilfully navigated* (*yes, actually, the boats are meant to go round in circles like that – it's good to have 360 degree view of any dangers) past speeding river taxi's and killer swans round to the opening of 'Castle Moat'
Probably not too obvious from it's title, but 'Castle Moat' used to be, er, well a castle moat actually - however in 1847 it all went dark for the moat when it was permanently covered to become another of Bristols almost forgotten waterways.
Sadly, no pics of the entrance from me - I'm too 'cool and l33t' to be seen using a camera in public! (well, OK, that's not 100% true – it has more to do with the fact that I was desperately bailing out my boat with the tiny cup from the top on my flask at this stage
)Once inside we made for dry land to sort kit, add air to slightly floppy boats, and take a couple of pics.
Before heading off down the beautiful stone built culvert.
After about 45 mins of paddling, at it's far end the moat meets the culverted river Frome – or rather it would do, had some mean civil engineer not put a wall in its way (although given the difference in levels it is probably a good thing that he did!)
Mooring the boats we turned south-west and followed the River (knee-high wading) for some distance before retracing our steps back towards its meeting point with Castle Moat, keen to push on we followed the Frome north-east along the length of the culvert, rejoining the outside world in a cutting picturesquely situated between a branch of 'Staples' (note to inflatable boat explorers – staples are best avoided) and the Salvation Army Hostel.
Having reached the Salvation Army we were faced with a tough choice, go in and demand soup, or head back to the moat.
(photography tip no.48 - always find a firm base for your tripod)
(Captain Urbanity looks for danger - all together now - 'it's behind you!' )
The thrill of more boating took precedence and we headed back, stopping on the way to explore some new storm drainage that joined the Frome.
Seen here, it looks like boring concrete pipe, but just beyond this was, er, well more concrete pipe, so having followed it a bit, we turned around and headed back to the moat, another lengthy paddle later and we were back on the Avon, and posing for photos/answering questions from bemused members of the public!
A highly enjoyable way to spend a Sunday! - thanks for company my fellow nautical explorers, and thanks for looking all you land-lubbers!
...................................................................................
May 2012 - additional new report added - see below - now with added 'through trip'!
.
Last edited:
but you can see the less than lofty head-room!)
