Friday 20th August

We left our mooring – eventually! Millie had decided to go ashore after breakfast which is unusual for her. She came back with no problem but then decided to go off again. She and Richard then played “catch” for a while on the pontoon until she was put aboard and into my arms. I held her until I thought Richard had untied both ends and then let her go – she make a bid for freedom and up onto the deck when I realised that the stern rope was still tied. I managed to catch her and held her until we were in the middle of the river – she then went and sulked on the bed! Keynsham Lock is the tidal limit of the Avon but as it is neap tides it wasn’t a problem today. Just after Keynsham Lock is the old Cadbury’s chocolate factory which dates from the 1920’s. It was announced in October 2007 that the factory was to be closed and production send to Poland with a total factory closure in 2010. I can’t seem to find out if this has actually happened yet. We tied up at Hanham Lock as we were expecting visitors. Penny and Jim (with Niamh) were on their way to their boat and were making a diversion to come and see us. We went to the Old Lock and Weir for lunch but all too soon it was time for them to continue on their way. It was lovely to see them again. We were soon whizzing through Netham Lock (it was open!) and just managed to stop to visit the harbour office to pay our very expensive dues. Bristol dock is known as the Floating Dock and was designed in the early 19th century by William Jessop. One or two people we had spoken to along the canal has said that they hadn’t wanted to go into Bristol because of this – in fact it’s the boats that float not the dock! As it is locked at either end the water level is pretty much stable. I felt at one stage coming into the city that we could actually have been in Amsterdam! There is a lot of regeneration still going on and the photo above shows the front of an old wharf building still standing but there is nothing behind it. There is a very low bridge which we weren’t too sure if we could get under but managed it with only the geraniums having their heads bent! We went passed the main mooring area as there are lots of clubs and eateries around and had been told that music can go on to 3am! We had been told to head for Porto Quay so we did and tied up next to a boat that we had been next to in Pewsey! We are opposite the SS Great Britain which we hope to visit tomorrow. Before going to bed we went for a walk into town - round the harbour and up to Centre Promenade. It was all happening - obviously THE place to be!!