Read on Twitter
1.
Thread (big-ish).
Epic and Daring Voyage in Renfrewshire!
@OStonestreet @Ladycult @JamesMcCurthy @tlscadden1 @FionaGrahame @raiphsays @pilaraymara
@GREIGEXVS1300A @ArgyllSeaGlass @weestie97 @John_De_graeme @jkflesh @ScotsWumman
@MissBabington @fairynuff1979 @cee4cat
Thread (big-ish).
Epic and Daring Voyage in Renfrewshire!
@OStonestreet @Ladycult @JamesMcCurthy @tlscadden1 @FionaGrahame @raiphsays @pilaraymara
@GREIGEXVS1300A @ArgyllSeaGlass @weestie97 @John_De_graeme @jkflesh @ScotsWumman
@MissBabington @fairynuff1979 @cee4cat
2.
As promised (mostly to myself) a boat trip up the Black Cart water.
This is in response to the @OStonestreet ‘The Black Cart and The White Cart Rivers Renfrew’ tweet from December '19, and my own ‘I have a small boat’ reply to it. https://twitter.com/OStonestreet/status/1202427390401617928?s=20
As promised (mostly to myself) a boat trip up the Black Cart water.
This is in response to the @OStonestreet ‘The Black Cart and The White Cart Rivers Renfrew’ tweet from December '19, and my own ‘I have a small boat’ reply to it. https://twitter.com/OStonestreet/status/1202427390401617928?s=20
3.
I’m a little late in posting, but Mon, 24th Aug, last year, had good weather and perfect tides for the short trip down the White Cart river, round the peninsula of the Inchinnan Cruising Club, and into the mysterious Black Cart.
I’m a little late in posting, but Mon, 24th Aug, last year, had good weather and perfect tides for the short trip down the White Cart river, round the peninsula of the Inchinnan Cruising Club, and into the mysterious Black Cart.
4.
Having just navigated the White Cart from (secret boat slip) I headed north past the extensive Glasgow Airport Investment Area construction site, ready to sail under the bascule bridge* near the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew.
*Raises, allowing high vessels to navigate up river.
Having just navigated the White Cart from (secret boat slip) I headed north past the extensive Glasgow Airport Investment Area construction site, ready to sail under the bascule bridge* near the Normandy Hotel, Renfrew.
*Raises, allowing high vessels to navigate up river.
5.
Cat. A listed and built in 1923, it crosses over the White Cart; feast your eyes - it’s the only remaining lift bridge in Scotland.
Passing under the bascule bridge
Cat. A listed and built in 1923, it crosses over the White Cart; feast your eyes - it’s the only remaining lift bridge in Scotland.
Passing under the bascule bridge
6.
It’s not exactly going up and down like a conductor’s baton these days, but there’s some video I was fortunate to catch last year (iPhone magic) - and just uploaded to YT recently – the bridge lifting for a couple of tugs.
It’s not exactly going up and down like a conductor’s baton these days, but there’s some video I was fortunate to catch last year (iPhone magic) - and just uploaded to YT recently – the bridge lifting for a couple of tugs.
7.
Leaving the bridge behind, we continue the remaining 350 mtrs of the White Cart, before it merges with the Black Cart water to become the River Cart, of which there’s less than a mile – what a glorious day!
Leaving the bridge behind, we continue the remaining 350 mtrs of the White Cart, before it merges with the Black Cart water to become the River Cart, of which there’s less than a mile – what a glorious day!
8.
On the left is Inchinnan Cruising Club, on the right, the very pleasant river walkway that skirts the Renfrew Golf Club. The elusive and mystical Holy Grass – a Scottish species - thrives in 3 different locations near to this stretch of the river.
http://www.paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/index.asp?pageid=221936
On the left is Inchinnan Cruising Club, on the right, the very pleasant river walkway that skirts the Renfrew Golf Club. The elusive and mystical Holy Grass – a Scottish species - thrives in 3 different locations near to this stretch of the river.
http://www.paisleynaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/index.asp?pageid=221936
9.
Onwards to the White Cart/Black Cart confluence.
Onwards to the White Cart/Black Cart confluence.
10.
Straight ahead would take you to the Titan Crane, Clydebank Dock, the angular and dramatic architecture of West College Scotland - and pretty much anywhere in the world half as exotic as these mentioned - via the river Clyde…
Straight ahead would take you to the Titan Crane, Clydebank Dock, the angular and dramatic architecture of West College Scotland - and pretty much anywhere in the world half as exotic as these mentioned - via the river Clyde…
11.
…except our plan is not to circumnavigate, but something much more exciting –
An earlier pic atop the Titan crane, college on left, Cart to the right – cracking views and well worth the day out!
Oh, the river Clyde, the wonderful Clyde, the name of it thrills me and..
…except our plan is not to circumnavigate, but something much more exciting –
An earlier pic atop the Titan crane, college on left, Cart to the right – cracking views and well worth the day out!
Oh, the river Clyde, the wonderful Clyde, the name of it thrills me and..
12.
I turn back on myself here, around the great and intrepid peninsula that separates the White Cart and Black Cart – and to the goal ahead, Inchinnan bridge, my personal holy grail of small boat conquests, Renfrewshire
I turn back on myself here, around the great and intrepid peninsula that separates the White Cart and Black Cart – and to the goal ahead, Inchinnan bridge, my personal holy grail of small boat conquests, Renfrewshire
13.
The sun now in my eyes and the bridge up ahead, I need to keep close to Port here (left) as this is where the channel is deepest – or risk going aground on the treacherous river bed.
The sun now in my eyes and the bridge up ahead, I need to keep close to Port here (left) as this is where the channel is deepest – or risk going aground on the treacherous river bed.
14.
Now, the hazard - the danger - under the surface.
Now, the hazard - the danger - under the surface.
15.
The Black Cart at this point is very much tidal and the height of the river can change dramatically over the course of a few hours, making passage impossible, even for small vessels, at low tide.
The Black Cart at this point is very much tidal and the height of the river can change dramatically over the course of a few hours, making passage impossible, even for small vessels, at low tide.
16.
..furthermore, about 20 mt before reaching the old bridge there’s a ‘step’, a low water crossing spanning the river that, even when the tide comes in, can scupper you - what lies beneath.
..furthermore, about 20 mt before reaching the old bridge there’s a ‘step’, a low water crossing spanning the river that, even when the tide comes in, can scupper you - what lies beneath.
17.
Visible when the tide’s low, the low water crossing is man-made, enabling crossing of the river before the construction of the bridge in1809.
John R. Hume’s lovely old pic of the bridge from 1967 shows it perfectly @oakroyd
Visible when the tide’s low, the low water crossing is man-made, enabling crossing of the river before the construction of the bridge in1809.
John R. Hume’s lovely old pic of the bridge from 1967 shows it perfectly @oakroyd
18.
About right now I’m almost over the hazard – do I have enough water below me? - can’t turn back now..
#DeadSlow
..thankfully, I’d done my homework and I knew (!) there’d be enough water beneath me to carry me under the old bridge.
About right now I’m almost over the hazard – do I have enough water below me? - can’t turn back now..
#DeadSlow
..thankfully, I’d done my homework and I knew (!) there’d be enough water beneath me to carry me under the old bridge.
19.
Pics taken at low tide, these mighty ashlar stones are about 18’’ in height and the tide can, at times, reach almost to the top one – plenty room for a small boat at high tide.
Pics taken at low tide, these mighty ashlar stones are about 18’’ in height and the tide can, at times, reach almost to the top one – plenty room for a small boat at high tide.
20.
This one shows the tide mark half-way up the inner walls of this part of the structure. Btw, don’t take a nap in here..
This one shows the tide mark half-way up the inner walls of this part of the structure. Btw, don’t take a nap in here..
21.
Big moment: passing directly underneath the bridge, the arch providing a dramatic gateway to the Black Cart water and beyond.
Big moment: passing directly underneath the bridge, the arch providing a dramatic gateway to the Black Cart water and beyond.
22.
Having achieved my goal of navigating under the bridge, why would I turn back now? - further adventure lay ahead!
I pressed-on.
Must say, I got some perplexed looks from the workies* on the left bank probs never seen a boat on this side of the bridge.
*More of which later
Having achieved my goal of navigating under the bridge, why would I turn back now? - further adventure lay ahead!
I pressed-on.
Must say, I got some perplexed looks from the workies* on the left bank probs never seen a boat on this side of the bridge.
*More of which later
23.
The old bridge behind, and passing the remains of St Hallows Church on my right (historical interest, very haunted) with Glasgow airport runway on my left, the river became suddenly very serene, the countryside opening out on each side of me, the sky big, warm, and welcoming
The old bridge behind, and passing the remains of St Hallows Church on my right (historical interest, very haunted) with Glasgow airport runway on my left, the river became suddenly very serene, the countryside opening out on each side of me, the sky big, warm, and welcoming
24.
And for the aircraft enthusiasts among you, the impressive but incongruous sight of an array of Covid-grounded BA flying machines.
I’m wondering at this point if ‘Security risk’ applied to me? #SWAT
And for the aircraft enthusiasts among you, the impressive but incongruous sight of an array of Covid-grounded BA flying machines.
I’m wondering at this point if ‘Security risk’ applied to me? #SWAT
25.
The striking livery of the Loganair fleet, the saltire emblazoned across its tail against a clear Scottish sky.
Did you know:
Loganair’s flight between Westray and Papa Westray is the shortest flight in the world at 1.5 minutes.
(Pt2 here) https://twitter.com/phase_3_dream/status/1347179357442351107?s=20
The striking livery of the Loganair fleet, the saltire emblazoned across its tail against a clear Scottish sky.
Did you know:
Loganair’s flight between Westray and Papa Westray is the shortest flight in the world at 1.5 minutes.
(Pt2 here) https://twitter.com/phase_3_dream/status/1347179357442351107?s=20
