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.

Aussies in London 23.06.2007

Saturday

An early bus ride from Bristol to London on the cheap carrier ‘Megabus’ got us to London at around 10am to catch up with some Aussie friends who are in London at the moment.

We first caught up with Anthony and Larissa, who were in London prior to heading off on their Contiki bus tour through Europe.

We met at the tube station near the Globetrotter hostel that we were staying at later that night, and then headed into London central on the tube.

Piccadilly Circus

Red Phone Booth in Chinatown

Australia House

One of the few remaining timber buildings in Central London not burnt down by the great fire.

We decided on a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral first, and walked there from Piccadilly Circus to see the sights on the way. We passed Australia House (jumping shot) on the way but once we arrived at St Paul’s, we were told no entrance all day due to services being held on the Saturday. Quite unusual as it is a tourist mecca, however no entry this weekend. This is the 2nd time we have tried to get in but every time we go past St Paul’s it is always being used for other functions hence we miss out!

We did go to the Gift shop (which of course is always open – how convenient! Note sarcasm), and we timed this well as it started to rain as we entered the building. Upon exiting the rain had gone, and we were left with just an overcast afternoon in London. We walked through the Cathedral’s grounds, and headed for a pub for a drink and some food. Upon finding a pub called ‘the hand and raquet’ we started with one pint of cider, and 4 hours later, and after about 4 pints each and dinner, we decided best to head off while we could still walk in a straight line.

St Paul's Cathedral

That evening we left Anthony and Larissa to have an early night as they were still suffering from jetlag. We then headed on the Tube out towards Hammersmith where we then caught up with Paul (Jungle) and Diana Nicholls, who have just moved to London to work and live (like we did a year ago). They are in a share house and are enjoying things so far, but both looking for more highly paid work.

Jungle mentioned he had a special present, and special indeed it was. My first Coopers Pale Ale in over 9 months. I savoured the first stubbie, and 4 beers later was quite satisfied. Thanks for the south aussie beers Jungle and Diana! We caught up over a few beers and wines at their house, and ended up having a great night out. Thanks again to Jungle and Diana for their hospitality and we wish them all the best in London!

Then a 15 minute walk back to the Hostel for sleep in preparation for Sunday…

The first Coopers Pale Ale in 9 loooong months...

Sunday

Sunday was a poor weather day even for England. Considering it is almost half way through summer, it rained pretty much continuously all day… In any case, we met up with Anthony and Larissa, and made our way out to Greenwich on the Light Rail to see the sights there for the day.

On the Tube heading to Greenwich (Larissa and Anthony)

Observatory Buildings

Statue of King William the 4th in Greenwich Parklands

Then up to the meridian line where Greenwich Mean Time originated from. This area of outer London contains a large parkland area, and numerous Colleges, and importantly still houses all the Observatory buildings that were used many years ago.

Observatory buildings

Standing on the Greenwich Timeline

Jumping over Time!

In the afternoon we headed to the Hamley’s toy Store in London, which is set on 6 floors, and is one of the biggest to stores in the world. Larissa bought a Paddington bear, and we bought some other small gifts for family back home.

Hamley's Toy Store

We finished the afternoon off with a walk down to Buckingham Palace, and it looked like we had just missed a parade, as there were Union Flags everywhere, and the roads were all blocked off to vehicles. We had all been here before, so it was more of a time to relax sitting on the central fountain steps, enjoying the views – in between the rain showers!

Buckingham Palace in the background

Little man with Big Hat!

Palace Gates

We then had another drink at a Pub near Victoria Station before saying bye to Anthony and Larissa who were due to go to Wimbledon on Monday. Unfortunately as I write this it is still raining in London, and Bristol, and I think the tennis has been called off. They are enjoying the strawberries & cream, and champagne of course!