When Rob, a BBC radio presenter for 30 years isn't on the airwaves, you'll find him indulging his passion for sailing and doing his "other job" - running some of Bristol ferries. "I've always loved boats," says Rob, "I grew up by the water and my dad loved boats. "When the chance came up to run the ferries, I grabbed it." Rob has also raced on the high seas - on the Bristol Clipper and with Tony Bullimore on his catamaran but his heart lies closer to home. "I think we're neglecting the fabulous waters on our doorstep. "I've just done a wonderful journey up the estuary which might convince you there's another side to the Severn."  | | Rob uses a variety of vessels on his voyage up the Severn from Somerset |
Rob's ramble up the channel begins at Porlock Weir and BBC One's Inside Out follows the journey Somerset to Sharpness. He sets out hitching a ride in a leaky dinghy with an old friend, the glassmaker James Adlington. "I've a real sense of achievement, arriving in harbour," Rob says as they pull into Minehead. "Yes," says James, "especially on a boat like this!"  |  | | Rob Salvidge climbs the rigging |
Schooner Rob also boards the three-masted top-sailed schooner, the Kathleen and May, which has returned to her home waters for the first time in four decades. From her rigging, he spies his old mate Tony Bullimore on board the catamaran they raced in together. He completes one leg of his journey in much less glamorous style - on board a sand dredger. "It's a real working boat - several hundred tonnes of rust held together with sand," he proclaims before climbing aboard, undeterred. |  | | The Balmoral docks on Clevedon Pier |
And he sails from south Wales back to Somerset on the stylish steamer, the Balmoral. "I've sailed in all parts of the world and this journey is just fantastic," he says. "I love it, I absolutely love it." Will Rob's journey persuade you there's another side to the Severn? >>> Join Rob on his trip up the estuary from West Somerset on Inside Out on BBC ONE West at 7.30pm >>> Monday 15 September: Porlock to Penarth >>> Monday 22 September: Clevedon to Sharpness | 
