Sunday 16th June
2019
We had a long walk around Sharpness Docks. Through the marina, past
the Dockers Club, over the low level bridge and around the dock perimeter. Like
all smaller ports, the docks are now underused and dilapidated. The majority of
the grain silos and warehouses seemed empty and disused. Most of the older
cranes looked as though they hadn’t moved for years and the rail tracks through
the docks were rusty.
Sharpness Docks
There was just the one cargo ship in, the Wes Nicole, registered in
Antigua, 3000 ton and bring in a cargo of grain from Waterford in Ireland.
Other than her there were a number of vessels, in various states, either
awaiting repair or scrapping. Among these was what looked like an old Mersey
ferry, a light ship and a super yacht complete with mini helicopter on her back
end.
We carried on past the dock complex to the picnic area beside the lock
that passes from the docks to the river estuary. The lock is huge along with
the two breakwaters stretching out into what was mud with the tide out. It was
a sobering scene knowing that, in a few days’ time, we will hopefully be
venturing out there.
Sharpness Lock
It rained on us a few times but brightened up a little in the
afternoon. We had “front cratch time”, drinks, reading and chat before our
Sunday roast dinner.
Weather: windy, cloudy and outbreaks of rain, brightening in the
afternoon.
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