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Tuesday 16 June 2015

Impressions of Bristol

We came into Bristol over Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Kingston suspension bridge across the Avon Gorge, and left under the  bridge. The height of the bridge is mind- blowing. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo that does justice to the experience of driving over it. The iron sides of the bridge are too high to take photographs of the gorge below.
From here we drove through the centre of the city, which is clean-cut and open. There is a range of architecture, reflecting the history of the city as an important port from Roman times. There is ample evidence of the city's 18th century wealth as a result of its pivotal position in the slave trade as well as Victorian engineering wealth.

Bristol continues to invest in architecture and the Arts. 
We passed a few examples of its street art reputation, not perhaps, of the Banksy standard for which Bristol is famous, but interesting nonetheless.
At the city docks you can view (and visit) Brunel's SS Great Britain, the masts of which are visible from most river vantage points.
We took a boat trip along the river. There is a variety of housing now taking advantage of river views.
The canal is full of interest, from the eateries, to the replica of the ship in which Cabot left Bristol for America, to the cranes. 
We had a really pleasant lunch in the sun on the riverbank. Pene and Mark left us here to go home to Devon. Mark was a trooper with his generosity, patience and knowledge. It has been fantastic to spend time with them we laughed a lot.
 Eddy drove us home to their place,where we had a lovely meal, sat in the evening sun on a neighbour's porch and had a drink, taking advantage of the long twilight. Lucky me.

8 comments:

  1. WHAT!!?? No cathedral or church today. You will be getting withdrawl symptoms!
    Look forward to your daily blog. Great to see the photos of you today, looking relaxed and in a holiday mood. Missing you back home here

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    1. Thank you! Missing you too, as you will see from the next post.

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  2. Great shots of this unique city and lovely to see 3 of my nieces all in a row. Sounds like you had great fun and a good visit.Happy traveling Jillian, I am really enjoying your adventures. Jess.

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    1. Thanks Jess. I only wish I had managed the photo with Christopher the day before!

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  3. Another beautiful day! I especially liked the reproduction of Cabot's ship. Imagine crossing the Atlantic in that! Canadian history was such a dull class, but it would have been a lot more interesting with all the context that is available today.

    It's all looking really lovely, Jillian, what a great trip!

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  4. Certainly envying you the long twilit evening, as with the escarpment so close, we lose the sun very early at this time of the year.
    Alas, our internet is very slow at present. John has done a number of Webinars, and I'm anxiously awaiting the new month. Most of the photos haven't downloaded yet. I may just leave the computer on and come back in the morning.
    Glad you're having such a great time with your family.

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    1. I apologise for the download time. I have tried to reduce the size of each file to balance download time against clarity but with so many photos it inevitably takes time on slower connections (like the one I'm using now on the train to Edinburgh!). I split the next post to try o manage the download.

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  5. The download time is all at this end, and today it's fine. Must have passed the magic date! Cabot's ship reminded me of the diagram in the A G L Shaw textbook we had for history in second year high school, of the Endeavour against a Manly ferry. Such cockleshells to make such tremendous discoveries and cross such vast distances.

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