Beachley Ferry

Prior to the Severn Bridge being built the car ferry used to run between here and Aust (blipped here), about a mile away, on the other bank of the Severn. It closed in 1966, on the day before the bridge opened. Apparently it couldn't run in particularly high or low tides so wasn't always reliable.

Wouldn't it be great to introduce such a variable in to everyday journeys as a method of forcing people to slow down? Perhaps not.

The ferry could only take 17 cars at a time, the two replacement bridges take about 35,000 cars per day apparently.

Progress?

Anyway, this shot was taken on the way back from a day riding in the Forest of Dean with the boys. There's a great family cycling loop, just about the right length for a 6 year old. The Forest of Dean is a place with an interesting history and subject to ongoing, unfair, rumours regarding its residents (maybe just a Bristol thing?!). Anyway, there's beautiful broad leafed woodland and it's just the right time of year. Thanks to the rain everything was very lush but there's definitely a hint of autumn.

I had a mug of tea at the end of the ride and for the first time in some years, a Mars bar. When I was young Untrained Eye and I cycled all over Wales, staying at a variety of unheated, damp Youth Hostels which sometimes lacked electricity and occasionally required you to fetch fresh water from a spring. Anyway, getting to the point, I have strong memories of cycling in rain (much seen outside the window right now) in basic cagoules, water penetrating to my skin, only to stop in some draughty bus shelter to munch on the fun sized Mars bar and the nuts and raisins that would have been packed by my mum. Magic times! I do remember them fondly!