Paul and Diana visiting Bristol 28.07.2007

Paul and Diana have recently moved from Adelaide to London to work and travel, and since we only have 2 weeks until we head back home to Australia via Europe, this was the only time we could show them all that Bristol has to offer.

This weekend was also the Bristol Harbour Festival, so there were street markets, food stalls, concerts and rides all over the city centre, and people everywhere!

A lot of people arrive for the Festival by boat and the floating harbour is also full of boats over this weekend.

After their bus eventually made it to Bristol after having a flat battery (and a backed up stinky toilet), we showed Paul and Diana our apartment, then we headed off to Queens square to see the markets.

We spent the afternoon on Corn Street enjoying some beers and catching up on all our past experiences in the year so far.

We headed back to let them check into the hotel then we headed straight for the Clifton Suspension Bridge by taxi.

Boats everywhere


Floating Harbour


The 'beach' on the harbour - made with imported sand...


Queens Square markets


Brass Band playing at the Cider Boat

Clifton Suspension Bridge

(Thanks for the photo Phil)

Our previous post on the suspension bridge covers the history of this landmark structure in Bristol. In the whole year we have been in Bristol, this is the first time we have actually walked across the bridge.

The sheer height of the bridge over the water was enough to put Diana off, but Paul and I walked over feeling the bridge move up and down when a car went past!

After a few photos, the rain became heavier so we headed to the Coronation Tap (Corrie Tap to the locals) who are famous for their Cider, in particular their Exhibition Cider (8.4% - only served in half pints!).

Paul and Diana

Clifton College
After a Cider, we then towards Whiteladies Road and went via Clifton College. The College was used during World War II as a training facility, but more interestingly is that the cricket ground (where I have trained on previously) is the location of the highest individual cricket score, a mere 628 runs by a 13 year old school boy AEJ (Arthur) Collins.

The College itself is picturesque, but the weather did not make for standing there, so we continued on in search of a place for dinner. Heading down Park Street, we decided on an asian noodle bar (by this time it was 10pm) before heading home in preparation for Sunday.

Clifton College

The Scorecard from the historic match:

http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1890S/1899/ENG_LOCAL/OTHERS/CLARKES_NORTH-TOWN_22-28JUN1899.html

His profile:

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/11769.html

Concert Stage in foreground

The Old Docks

Sideshow entertainment at the Festival

We had Diana and Paul over for an English breakfast, then headed back into the centre of town where we had a few pints of beer and enjoyed the Harbour views whilst the sun shone brightly.

We then bid Paul and Diana farewell for now, as we had to head off for a Sunday Roast at Ed and Zoe’s place, and Paul and Diana had to catch a bus back to London.

Bristol Sights 22.07.2007

After returning from Ireland, my parents headed back to London via Bristol for a day to catch up with us before the long flight back to Adelaide. After a whole month in England, Scotalnd and Wales I think they enjoyed sunshine on maybe 3 days, in the middle of an English summer!

We have also had more rain in the last 3 months than any other time since rainfall record in England were undertaken.

Bristol Floating Harbour

We walked around the Old Docks area, took a boat ride along the harbour past the SS Great Britain, and also went inside the Bristol Cathedral.

Amphi-theatre

Bristol Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

SS Mathew on the right, SS Great Britain on the left

Then it was to the Pub for some local Cider and Ales in the afternoon sun! Thanks for coming to visit Mum and Dad!

Bristol City Sights 01.07.2007

Sunday was a generally relaxing day for us, however prior to letting Mum and Dad go free and walk the Bristol sights by foot we all went on the Bristol City Bus Tour. This highlights all the main attractions, and covers a lot of the history of Bristol through from trading slaves and wartime production through to its current state.

A lot of these places have been covered from previous posts, but more photos are always good to look at – Enjoy!

SS Great Britain (it was used for numerous trips to Autralia with Settlers from the UK)

Floating Harbourside

River Avon

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Views of the River Avon

The Downs (northern parklands area of Bristol)

Art Gallery

Golden Unicorn...

Wales Road Trip 29.06.2007

We left just before midday and headed for the west of Wales. Over the Servern Crossing Bridge (Toll of 5 pounds) then towards Cardiff the capital of Wales. Nada and I had recently been to Cardiff with Phil, but Dad wanted to see the old Docks south of the City.

Cardiff Bay, as it is now known, has been redeveloped and now contains a large number of café’s, restaurants and bars. We also saw the Millennium Centre (different to the Millennium Stadium), where various function are held. The gold façade really makes the building standout amongst the surrounding landscape.

Cardiff Bay

Millennium Centre

More Cardiff Bay

On from Cardiff we made our way along the major motorway (three lanes all the way in both directions) and the traffic still made for slow driving in parts such was the number of vehicles on the road. After a few hours we passed Swansea, then left the motorway and headed for the south coast of Wales along some very narrow and windy roads to see some of the smaller villages.

We passed through Laugharne as there was a Castle there, however it was closed upon our arrival. So a few photos from the outside then off we went to find a place for dinner and a bed

and breakfast.

Beach in Swansea - the tide is way out!

Laugharne Village

Laugharne Castle

Laugharne Castle

We decided on a B&B in Saundersfoot (Just north of Tenby) and headed to the local pub for some huge meals. Needless to say none of us finished our meals such was the size of the serving, but it was great food indeed.

The next day we headed north to Pembroke in the pouring rain. According to our Lonely Planet book on Great Britain, Pembroke has a castle of worthiness, and they were correct. Even though it was raining heavily and very windy, within the Castle there were still plenty of areas undercover with old stone/timber roofs protecting us from the weather. The overcast weather also made the photos we took even better. Pembroke Castle contains a 100 step Great Tower, which I climbed to the top for some great views, and also a natural Cave 50 odd steps below ground level. The cave’s entrance is right next to the adjacent River bank, making for a quick escape if needed in ancient times.

Pembroke Castle Model

Outer Walls of the Castle

Views from the Great Tower

Dad in the Dungeon Tower

Great Tower to the left, Dungeon Tower to the right

Most of the Castle in still in tact, the perimeter walls in particularly good condition. The old buildings within the Castle are now just ruins though, with only walls still standing.

This has to be my favourite Castle so far, and even though the weather was really bad, we saw some great views from the perimeter walls and great tower.

With no end in sight of the wet weather we decided to make our way back to Bristol via the motorway again.

Bath & Chippenham 28.06.2007

My parents are over in the UK for a month travelling around the countryside and they stayed with us for 4 days during their trip. We took them various places around Bristol and beyond to give them a feel of the English country and towns.

On Thursday we went to Bath to see primarily the old Romans Baths. We have done this tour before so we had a long coffee break while my folks headed in to see the old Roman Baths.

That is one mighty fine Mace!

During their time inside the Baths, we witnessed some of the local University students graduating, and the professors, etc., all had their full dress gowns on, some wielding weapons upon their entrance to the Bath Abbey.

Mum and Dad (Bown) infront of the Bath Abbey

Chippenham Abbey

After spending the morning walking around Bath, we then headed off to see some smaller villages in the Cotswold region. This region is noted for its small quiet postcard like villages. After driving through Coombe Castle (no Castle, just a small quaint village, much to our disappointment) we made it to Chippenham, which is more of a small town. We then walked around to see the local Abbey, saw the old Council Chambers that dated over 400 years old, then had a light lunch at a local café.

Recreation of life in the Old Council Chambers

Chippenham Abbey

Afterwards we made our way back to our place for a home cooked meal, something Mum and Dad had been waiting for a while after being holidaying for a week already in England.