At the end of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal is the Great vast River
Severn Estuary. All boats heading up the estuary need to pass through the
Sharpness lock and docks, as it's the only navigable route north. The Severn
Estuary has the largest tidal range in Europe, with water levels between high
and low tide, of around ten and a half meters at Sharpness, and up to 14.8
meters at Avonmouth. Plus the speed of the water flowing, can be up to
eight knots. You can navigate down to Bristol, but with constantly changing
sand bank levels, the sheer speed of water flow, and the dangers of sea
conditions, you're strongly advised not to, without prior knowledge. You can book
a pilot to come aboard and navigate for you however, for around £200, and it
takes about three hours, depending on the strength of the tide and boat. Also as
the lock is huge and is a working dock, don't expect to just turn up and be let
through. There are strict rules when they operate. Anyway
Molly was giving me signs to hurry up, and head north.
So that was Sharpness, unless you're going to go through the docks and out
onto the sea, there isn't really that much down here. There's a Chandlery and a
quite a nice little marina, but apart from that, it's all very industrial.
Slightly north of Sharpness are the remains of the Severn Railway Bridge.With
valuable Welsh coal, and the Forest of Dean just across the river, in 1879 a
three-quarter mile long railway bridge was built. It had 21 spans, supporting on
cast-iron columns, which were sunk into the riverbed. Where it spanned across the
canal, a swing bridge was built, and powered by a steam engine in this tower.
However, in October of 1960 there was a disaster.
Two tanker barges carrying oil
and petrol, missed the Sharpness dock entrance, due to thick fog and a strong
tide. They collided with one of the bridges columns, and two bridge spans
collapsed. It ruptured gas and electric mains, and there was a gigantic explosion.
It set alight their petrol and oil cargo, which had spread across the
estuary, and only three, of the eight crew survived. Today at low tide, you may be
able to see the barges remains, lying in the mud.
Before I carried on, it was time
to fill up my water tanks, and more Molly madness. Just a note there's a new
pump-out facility on the north bank of the canal, just south of Purton Upon
Bridge. This isn't indicated in any Collins or Canal & River Trust maps, so
it's obviously a new addition. I like the metal sign above the path down to this
cruiser. It says 'TO THE BOAT'.
Well my journey so far has been, nice and dry. I think it's going to
remain that way for the rest of the day, let's fingers crossed. It is a bit windy
though. I've noticed that, because the rivers estuary is so wide, the wind sort of gushes up it,
and comes across the canal. But it's fine today.
To the east as you
travel up the canal, is the village of Frampton On Severn. The green is said to be
the longest village green in England, and is about 22 acres in size. The green has
been designated a conservation area, and is surrounded by an impressive range of
architecture, spanning several centuries. With ponds and a village shop, it's the
true example of a picture postcard English village.
There's a huge range of boats, between Sandfield and Stroudwater bridges, From
narrowboats, to cruiser sterns, to what looks like an narrowboat mixed with a submarine?
Then you have the much larger holiday boats, day boats, and of course a pirate
ship, and a lifeboat! To the right before going through Stroudwater Swingbridge, is
the short Stroudwater Canal, and Soul Junction Marina. When I went there, on my
way down the canal, they had the cheapest fuel I've found yet, at seventy
pence a litre.
Apart from a couple down in Sharpness, and one or two up in the docks up in
Gloucester, all the bridges on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal are swing
bridges. They're all operated by Canal & River Trust staff, and you navigate
through them, with the use of traffic lights.
So this one's now, It has gone green, the traffic's been stopped, the public's
been stopped, and I can, I can travel on through. Only Canal & River Trust staff can
operate the bridges, and they work from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at this time of year. I've
added a link in the description below, with all the year's timings.
It's actually quite nice that the bridges are operated for you, and you just sort of
stand on your stern and cruise along. There's none of this getting, on and
off, on and off doing locks, all sorts of things. Don't get me wrong, I do miss locks, but
this is just so peaceful.
You really get a sense of the industrial usage this canal once had. It's a nice
mix of inner-city, and open countryside, and you can moor up at virtually any
part, throughout its entire length. The long term moorers and bridge operators
have all been really nice, and there's a really nice friendly atmosphere. There
are a few points to be aware of though. Due to the wide width of the canal, the
wake on some vessels, can cause your boat to move about a bit. And then there
were the rowers. With a number of clubs along the canal, it's an ideal place for
them to train. I realise they need long open spaces to pick up speed, but from
what I've seen, some of them can be quite rude. Yelling for other boats to move out
of the way, arguing with bridge staff, and shouting from the canal banks, at quarter
past seven, on a Sunday morning. It's not really in the spirit of sharing, as we
all want to use this lovely 16 and a half mile canal. Just south of Gloucester
is this large wood yard, it's north of Hampstead Bridge, and just a little bit
south of Romans Quay. But it's really long and has masses of different types of
wood. I've already spoken to them, and they do sell and stock, oak faced ply. So I
think I'll be going and seeing them later on in the week. Next time I get my
hands dirty, giving my engine a jolly good service, ready for the long journey
up the River Severn. Please do click the Subscribe button to follow my journey.
Until next time see you later.