Balmoral arrived at Lydney at 08:30 for an 08:45 departure (with this early start there was no “sunrise cruise” from Clevedon this time) Waiting to board were a disappointingly small number of about 80 (including about a dozen regulars who’d travelled some distance for the sailing – and one chap who’d camped overnight!)
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| Bal arriving at Lydney |
Boarding was quickly accomplished and we headed across the river to Sharpness where about 120 boarded (again, in the past we’ve seen many more board here). We were soon heading downstream under blue skies (on my gps I ‘clocked’ us briefly doing 18.5 knots).
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| Approaching Sharpness |
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| Passing under 'old' Severn Bridge (M48) |
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| The second Severn Crossing (M4 bridge) |
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| Travelling incignito - ex Balmoral purser (name?........can't remember) |
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| Passing Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks |
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| Departing Clevedon |
With those sorts of speeds, we arrived at Clevedon 30 minutes early. About 20 passengers disembarked and 2 boarded (with no return to Clevedon, it was not a timetabled departure)
We left Clevedon 20 minutes early. With time in hand Capt Clarke kept us fairly close to the Somerset coast, passing close to and south of Steep Holm then across Bridgewater Bay towards Hurtstone Point (between Minehead and Porlock) where we went close inshore all the way to ‘Combe. I can’t remember having done this route since the early 1960’s – on a Scilly Isles trip.
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| Passing south of Steep Holm |
Around mid-day the skies clouded over, with a light following breeze it still felt pleasantly warm on deck. Our arrival at Ilfracombe was greeted by the bell ringing Town Crier (Roy) who as usual welcomed us to sunny (?) Ilfracombe, he asked that we don’t feed the seagulls and if we liked them that much “….please take one home with you”
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| Alongside at Ilfracombe |
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| View of the pier (MV Oldenburg on the left) and Lantern Hill |
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| Departing 'Combe |
A couple of hours ashore – enough time for a little sightseeing, an ice cream, cream tea or fish and chips before boarding for the return to Penarth and coach returns to Lydney and Sharpness. The return trip was pleasant enough, the skies were darkening but the rain held off until we were almost in sight of Penarth Pier.
Thanks to Peter Devrell for allowing the use of some of his photos. Peter also shot some video of the Lydney – Clevedon section of the cruise he’s uploaded a 7 minute clip to YouTube, to view it click
HERE. Peter has a YouTube Channel with lots of video clips of ‘steamy’ things – mainly engines, there’s also one of Waverley and another of Swiss paddlers – I’ve added a link to his site in the Links section.
If you have photos or video that you think would be of interest to other members, send an email to the bchannelbranch address.
Peter Havard
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