Bus Challenge No 145!

Underfall Yard, Bristol Harbour

“Since 1809 this site has been crucial to the operation of Bristol’s harbour. From 1887, hydraulic power was provided for lock gates, bridges, sluices and cranes. The level of the harbour’s water is still controlled from here. Everything in the harbour is repaired and maintained from the workshops. Most of what you see today was built in the 1880s. Today the yard is home to the Harbour Master, the Docks Engineer and maritime businesses.”

Into Bristol this morning on the P&R bus (made the bus time quicker but the waiting time longer) to take a second bus to the western end of Bristol Harbour, where we met up with the local history group for a tour of the Underfall Yard. A very interesting tour, I learned lots of new facts about Bristol’s maritime history, including the fact that the River Avon (the same river I was walking along in Bath yesterday!) has the second highest tidal range in the world. Topsy turvy weather again, chilly, heavy skies and a sudden downpour!

Despite the leaden skies, the harbour was bustling with all forms of boatlife, including The Matthew, which you can see in my extra “postcard” of Bristol Harbour, along with photos of the Underfall Yard, inside and out. My main blip is of the Bristol Pilot Gig club who were moored alongside the Underfall Yard, with Clifton Suspension Bridge in the background. (Torn between this photo, and the one of the “Bristolian”)

Total bus journey time = 44 mins
Total waiting between buses = 44 mins
Total journey time = 1 hour 28 mins