Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

Marine Excursions. 1. The sea is a jovial comrade He laughs wherever he goes; His merriment shines in the dimpling lines That wrinkle his hale repose. He lajs himself down at the feet of the sun And shakes all over with glee; And the broad-bucked billows faint on the shore In the Mirth of the mighty sea." These lines are quoted from Edwards, Robertson and Co's guide to the Bristol Channel, a book full of interest which studied, makes the trip taken all the more enjoyable. There was a time, and that not very long ago, when people generally were afraid to trust themselves on the bosom of the mighty deep," but to-day those fears seem to have vanished, and marine excursions are moie popular by far than brake or train. This week there have been several excursions, one being arranged by the dairymen of the district to Ilfracombe, another by the "shop assistance," to Cheddar, via Weston, and others provided as speculations by the rival companies of pleasure boat proprietors, Bristol, Chepstow, Minebead, Mumbles, Clevedon, Watchet, &c-, being visited. It was my pleasure to take the trip to Bristol on Wednesday morning. By 6.30 a fair number of excursionists had assembled on the Pier. The morn- ing was beautifully calm, and although so early the sun was upon us, and many pieces of cambric were requisitioned to wipe away the" dew." Our jovial friend 'the Pier-master, Mr Evans, was on the Pier. and his cheery face helped to add lustre to the scene, Somehow these early morning excursions seem more enjoyable, as a rule, thon those taken later in the day. I suppose it is that the effects of Nature's sweet restorer" have not had time to pass away. The humdrum of life, with its vexations and disappoint- ments, have not bad time to reassert itself, and so everyone seems on the best cf terms with himself and his neighbour. It was so, at least on Wednesday, for the hearty recognition, with the cheery good morn- ing," was in itself sufficient testimony of the inward feelings of the assembled party. After a few minutes waiting the Bonnie Dooae hove in sight. Here she's con)in,, was upon 0 Z!1 almost every tongue, and scon she was moored along side the pier, and in an incredibly short space of time we, were on board. The gangway is hauled up, the order is given to go ahead, when, lo, there is seen a young couple running for dear life down Beach-road, They see the boat is on the move. One waves his hat, and the young damsel her handkerchief, but it is too late. We are off, and they are left behind to ponder over the words Tide and time waits for no man." The morning hour has gold in its mouth," said Franklin, but these late comers have lost the goléJ, and have now to put up with the dross. We now seek the comfortable "camp" stools, of which there is a plentiful supply, and plant ourselves down in the most pleasant parts of the boat, some to study the political situation, eager to see Lord Salis- bury's latest move; others who like to wile away the time by reading, but are not interested in politics, nor, indeed, in the daily's genaral news, to read the latest of Horner's tales, and not a few to enjoy the company of friends and companions, and to behold Nature's beauties. There'q scarcely a ripple on the water, and although some stepped on board expecting to soon feel "poorly bad," their fears are dispelled, and they are soon in the full enjoyment of the in- vigorating influences of the sea air. The band is playing some lively airs, and a comic singer is on board. These add their quota to the pleasures of the day, although I fear the spare coppers were not so very numerous- One man remarked, "My wife only gave me five shillings to spend, and with that I have to pay my fare, buy my drinks' and eats' for, ..¿ the day, and take home a present each for her and the seven kids, so that I have nothing to spare.' We were now passing Clevedon, which, viewed from the distance with the sun's rays resting upon it. looked to be a charmingly pretty place. The Bristol Channel handbook gives some very interesting particulars of this place. It says, Clevedon was a habitation and a name in the very earliest times, and had become at the Norman conquest, as Rutter says, a 'valuable lordship, At the beginning of the present century 9 Z., y the population stood at only 334, and, according to Coleridge- It was a spot which you might aptly call The valley of seclusion. There are many places of exceptional interest which the visitor to Clevedon ought not to miss- The Green Beach is a captivating spot, and the many seats here, and the inviting nooks and corners, with the little shingle beach, makes it a delightful spot for excur- sionists. But the boat is still going on, and though we could linger in thought here for a time, we must not, for we are already approaching another place of interest, viz, Walton Bay and Walton Castle, an imposing looking minous structure, of which but very little is known. A short distance further, and we behold Black Nore Point, an old fishing station, with a small lighthouse on the rocks. Portished now comes in view, and the old war ship Formidable which acts as a "sort of mill for grinding bad boys into good sailors." We now proceed lap the river, and our attention is called to Dumball Island and Avonmouth Lighthouse and Docks. Pill is next reached, and proceeding we come to a part of the river known a3 Bungrodd, where, to the careful ob- server, may be seen huge rings and cha ns fixed on the rocky tree-shaded wall, where, in olden times, West Indian, slave trading and other vessels were moored. We now reach the horse-she e bead, and a few minutes later we get our first gim se of the Suspension Bridge, under which we pats to the old sea lock, where we disembark We now separate, each one taking his own coarse. Some are only on pleasure bent, others Lave business transactions before them. We meet again on our homeward trip, bu'j the pleasures and toils of the day tell their tales- Instead of the warm sun, we have the cold breezes of even- ing. The new moon looks down upon us, and Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossom the lovely stars tha forget-me-no s of the angels." 11 We talk of where we have been and of what we have seen, and when we get to the Peuarth Pier we wish each other a good-night, and wend our way homeward- grateful to Him who is the God of the seas as well as of the d-, y land, for His watchful care over us during the day.