90. The Master’s Weekend 15-17 April

The Master’s Weekend 2016 took place in Bristol, with a focus on Brunel and the watery heritage. The base was the excellent Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton where the Weekend Dinner was held on Friday night.

Saturday was a busy day. The first port of call was Clifton Suspension Bridge The party was split in two with one group (for those able) a descent down a ladder into the vaulting which supports the Leigh Woods tower and the other group a guided tour and a history of the outside structure. Then we swapped.

The vaulting was incredible and had only been rediscovered about 15 years ago – by accident – having been quietly growing stalactites and stalagmites for 150 years. As water engineers and scientists we were given special access. We visited two vaults, linked by a short narrow tunnel and were amazed by their size. There are approximately 12 chambers, up to 35 feet high, from ground level to road level. Most are accessible – but by abseiling.

Just before noon we hurried to Welsh Back Ferry Station for a tour of the harbour and River Avon on the Brigantia. Setting off we headed east to the Netton Lock which seals the floating harbour from the tidal Avon from Bath. Then we headed west, out the floating harbour lock at Cumberland Basin racing (at high tide) to see how far we could get, and get back, before the tide took the river navigation away. We followed the path of all ships, over the last 1,000 years, using Bristol as a port – only open at high tide.

Returning to the Arnolfini, we were given an hour tour of old Bristol by local Bob. Although the blitz took its toll there is much to be seen of 17th and 18th century Bristol and a few odd 20th century buildings as well. For example, the Llandoger Trow (right) is a historic pub dating from 1664, near the old city centre docks. Named after a village in South Wales whose trows (boats) traded with Bristol. Damaged in the war, only three of the five original gables survive. Tradition has it that Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk here, and inspired Robinson Crusoe and it was Robert Louis Stevenson’s inspiration for the Admiral Benbow in Treasure Island.  We finished at Christmas Steps, with steep-slanted steps constructed in September 1669.

Sunday, I had to leave to join the Tudor Pull but left my Bailiff in charge. The party visited SS Great Britain. Many had seen the ship in the 1970s when she had just arrived from the Falklands and visiting today was a big surprise. The Museum was good but the outfitting of the previously empty and decaying hulk was amazing.

Lots of people helped me but especially, Claire and Bob, David, G, and a range of good guides.