Tall ship on the River Severn
This weekend, 29 to 31 May, sees the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival 2009 in Gloucester Docks. I had received a hot tip that two of the square riggers taking part would be passing under the Severn Bridge on Thursday 28 May between 7.30 and 8.30am. Driving over Tidenham Chase at 7.00am, I began to doubt my information as the tide looked to be out in the Severn, and sand banks were poking up everywhere.
I arrived at the lifeboat station just by the Ferry Inn at Beachley at around 7.30am, with a camera, no provisions, and a somewhat reluctant 12 year old. The mud flats were glistening in the early morning sun, and not a tall ship in sight. One other car was parked up, and the owner informed me that he was also waiting for the tall ships, and he had heard on his radio that they were making their way out of Portishead and would be with us in the next half hour. After, a quick visit to the nearest cornershop to stock up, we settled down to wait. In the meantime, the sun disappeared and a dark mist settled over the Severn – not ideal photography weather.
Gradually, other cars arrived, and by 9.00am, I was losing the will to live, and had just reached the sports section of The Times, when said 12 year old spotted a ship. Under engine and with the assistance of the incoming tide, it was hurtling up the river, and without my lookout, I might have completely missed it, which would have been pretty embarrassing. We started up the engine and drove around to the Ferry Inn car park for a better vantage point. Four other cameras were already there beforehand, pointing seaward. We were really lucky, because, in fact, three vessels sailed up in the next hour, with the rest promised for this evening’s tide.
Tall ship passing under the Severn BridgeTall ship sailing up the Severn towards Sharpness
