Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 August 2015

We have spent the last four days “living” in Bristol – another great City – we keep looking for things we don’t like but so far can’t find anything, oh except they could have more bins but they come and empty them and clear up the rubbish that has been left around them first thing every morning. 

Of course before we arrived we had no idea that it was the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta this weekend so we were treated to early morning and early evening fly-bys on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and on Saturday night we could see the fireworks through the masts of ss Great Britain.

Thursday the sun came out so what’s the obvious thing to do – have a party on the pontoon!  Friday Rob and co set off for Portishead and we walked into town and saw St Nicholas Market, Saturday Steve did some painting and I went off for some retail therapy!  And on Sunday we walked up to have a look at the lock and River Avon, then took the City Tour Bus and had lunch in a Cuban restaurant.

We have spoken to the Pilot and we are all set for our trip up the River Avon to Portishead on Monday at 1.30pm.

A young ballerina having a photo shoot at the harbour.

Let's get this party started!

The funky chicken!

Jiving on the jetty.

Well Steve's having a boogie even if the others aren't.

Chris and Steve.

First dance finished!

Are we in Greece!

Come on Chris - it's your turn!

Big Al and Rob.

Girl Power!

Balloons!

Boy Balloon.

Watch this Balloon!

Richard!

Three wise monkeys!

Street Food Stalls at St Nicholas Market

I'll be back for a pair tomorrow!

Inside the market.

Back at the boat enjoying the sunshine but what's going on on that balcony?

Seems something on the balcony caught fire but the fire brigade were there very quickly and put it out before it took hold.

More balloons.

And more!

Friday night sunset.

Black bag prop clear out!

Nice day for painting the engine bay!

Some retail therapy for me!

More balloons!

And more!

Fireworks - blurred but I like this picture!

They looked great behind the masts.

ooh... ahh...!

Hope I'm not boring you all - I love fireworks!

And a pink one!

All quiet - Blurred Bristol at night.

Nice riverside houses.

And some more!

Dock Yard Cottages at Junction Lock.

Look how big Entrance Lock is - we will be in there tomorrow.  You can see Suspension Bridge in the distance.

Low tide on the River Avon.

Looking back across the water - with the crescent on the top of the hill - what's not to like about Bristol.

Bouy oh bouy!

The Wills Tobacco buildings - The Lady on the bus said her friend worked in the factory when they were running - there were mice running around that went into the shredder, a man that she worked with got his hair caught which pulled some of his scalp into the machine and it all went into the cigarettes - she said you would never smoke if you saw what went into cigarettes.

Durdham Downs - overlooked by the posh part of town.

Looking back down the River Avon - we will be on there tomorrow.

That's Portishead in the distance.

This house belonged to a wine merchant - he built the black and white extension tower so he could see when his ships were coming in so that he could be down in the dock to receive them.

Posh pad!

Part of the University.

Victoria Square.

Royal West of England Academy of Art.

Water feature.

Fantastic architecture - the terraces go on as far as the eye can see.

The Hippodrome Theatre.

Merchant Almshouses.

The Old Fish Market.

The Grand Hotel.

The Stag & Hounds - The old Court House

The back of Temple Meads Station.

And the front leading to the entrance - what a great station.

Lovely old buses.

Cocktails in the Cuban Restaurant!

Goodbye George and Mrs George - they are heading for Cardiff.

 

Deck Garden.



I am reliably informed that Samuel Plimsoll invented the Plimsoll Line on boats and ships to make sure they were not overloaded............and I thought he invented gym shoes!

Looks fun!