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| Jackie and her mum on the pier at Weston-Super-Mare |
We were very insular for the first few day’s, more planning, so when I should have written a blog, there wasn’t much to say. I picked up new glasses, I’ve now moved into the world of varifocals, good for me, but not exactly earth shattering for anyone else!
We had another day out in Bristol, for the first day of Bristol Open Doors where attractions, businesses, all sorts open a part that isn’t usually open, either for free or for a nominal fee. Our first stop however was at Cargo, the second Bristol foodie venue, lots of little restaurants in container units, very reminiscent of Christchurch in New Zealand (See: http://brianandjackiecross.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-walk-around-christchurch.html).
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| Having our lunch prepared with a blow torch in one of the container outlets in The Cargo |
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| The LV55 John Sebastian Lightship |
We then went on to LV 55 the John Sebastian Lightship. It had been left stripped out in a very sorry state till it was rescued by a group of volunteers in the 70’s who have lovingly restored it. A lightship served the same purpose as a lighthouse but could be towed to where it was required, useful when the huge tidal range of the Bristol Channel moves sand banks and mud flats. We spent a very interesting hour there before heading up to the Cabot tower, no ‘Open Doors’ special just Brian wanting to go up the highest thing!
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| Climbing the very steep hill to the Cabot tower on Brandon Hill, built to commemorate John Cabot who sailed from Bristol to the coast of North America in 1497 under the commission of Henry VII |
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| Views of Bristol from the Cabot Tower |
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| Cat therapy in the Bag 'O Nails pub, Bristol |
It was a good view, but I had already worked out that the most direct route from here back to the bus route took us past the door of the Bag 'O Nails, or ‘Bristol’s cat pub’! Not like a cat cafe, there was no entrance fee to guarantee kitties wanting to be petted, this is just a pub where the owner has 15 cats upstairs who are free to roam where they like. When we went in, here were two on the windowsill and three on the bar, soon to be joined by another one! What more could I want? Good beer and cats, a lovely stop en route to the bus.
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| The bar at the Bag 'O Nails complete with Chaise Longue for the cats |
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| The castle folly at Blaise Estate |
Then mum arrived and we’ve done loads since but had no time to write. Saturday as part of the Open Doors thing we went to the Blaise estate where the Community Garden was Open as was the folly, otherwise known as Blaise Castle. It looked fabulous from the outside, but wasn’t quite as impressive from the inside, though obviously we had to go up to the top! We had a rushed visit to the museum before closing when we managed a sneaky tea and cake! It was a beautiful day weather wise and the whole estate was full of people all enjoying being outside, picnicking families, Dog walking groups, skateboarding youth. A lovely atmosphere.
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| The house at Blaise (actually built about 50 years after the folly at the top of the hill) |
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| Fish and Chips at the seaside, it has to be done |
Sunday after our successful seaside trip to Clevedon the previous weekend we went one step further and went to Weston-Super-mare, which lived up to its Weston-Super-mud reputation, but still with fish and chips, fresh donuts, amusement arcades and even donkey rides it was very British and a Grand Day Out.
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| And, of course, a selfie on the pier. Notice there is no sea beneath the pier. That's because it goes out about a mile at low tide |
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| Clifton suspension bridge and Giants Cave (see hole and yellow railings on L) |
Monday we went to Clifton, back to the suspension bridge, but then on to the cliffs where Brian could reminisce about climbs from his heyday, before we went up to the Observatory with its camera obscura and down to the Giants Cave outlook over the bridge.
Yesterday was our day in Town, popping in to Trailfinders, again, before trying our third offering at St. Nicholas market, slow cooked pork and brisket, just as yummy as the previous two. A round trip on the water taxi, a visit to the cathedral and then the main event, our trip to the Lion King. What an amazing show, the way the animals are brought to life was stunning, it wasn’t too loud, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I’d highly recommend it if you get the opportunity.
A short video of the musical accompaniment on our boat trip
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