Portishead

It may be of interest to explain why it is a passage that requires careful planning and why we have to go to Portishead first before then backtracking to enter the Avon at Avonmouth.

The Severn Estuary has the second highest tidal range in the world.  Currents are strong with Spring rates of upto 8 knots in the vicinity of the Second Severn Crossing.  The funnel-shape of the Estuary and River produces the regular, sometimes spectacular, Severn bore.

The water is deepest at High Water Springs and shallowest at Low Water Springs. Tidal currents are strongest at the Spring Tides. At Low Water Springs many harbours may dry out.

The entrance lock to Portishead marina. Here the ground is soft mud. This photograph was taken at around Low Water Springs. Later the same day the High Water tide will reach the top dark line on the walls.

Because of the great tidal range, careful planning is required for any passage in the Bristol Channel or Severn Estuary. 

Many ports are only accessible at or near high water. The tidal window at Sharpness, for example, is very limited. Craft should arrive no earlier than 1 hour before, and not after high tide Sharpness. So we were able to use the early morning tide to travel from Sharpness to Portishead and the late tide to take us into Avonmouth and Bristol

Entrance to Avonmouth Docks

Approaching Portishead to Lock In

John and Paul still following

Sea wall outside Portishead Docks - used to be suitable for mooring between tides but no longer due to lack of large vessels using the lock which used to keep the sea floor even by there regular passage

Portishead Lock Gates

Tara had slept most of the way. Wrapped up to keep her warm

Waiting for the lock to open

Entering the lock

Its a long way up !!

The lock filling - quite a spectacle

Portishead Marina - a safe haven between tides

Rafted up with The Black Rose ready to enter the lock about 2 hours before the next high tide
Our pilot was taking her up to Sharpness 

Views of the Marina

On our way now to Avonmouth

M5 Bridge over the Avon

The Avon is not the prettiest of rivers

Approaching Bristol docks, passing under Clifton Bridge and traffic having locked out of Bristol

Bristol Lock

And then into Bristol Docks where we moored for  couple of nights to recover. As you can see from the photos, thr fog cleared and we had glorious weather for the rest of the day.