Seeing Bristol in one day

When we arrived at our place for the next three days, I was a bit unsure.... Charlotte was still cleaning and organizing and since we were an hour and a half early we left to find something to eat. Norm arranged this "home stay" and got quite the deal, 3 days only 126 pounds. Well we do have a bedroom (main floor), we share the bathroom (upstairs) with Charlotte, the two men in an upstairs bedroom, the young Polish couple who are out back in a garden shed and of course Norm and me. I couldn't resist taking a few photos. We did have a good night's sleep and since we are gone all day, it is fine....

 This is the kitchen, dining area and hallway..

 Charlotte is a bit of a free spirit. Tonight we heard her practising the recorder and later the piano. She is very pleasant but not the neatest of housekeepers. This is our breakfast offerings. Check all that Marmite!

 Off to explore today since it was sunny and warm. First breakfast, not from Charlotte's cupboard. Then through Queen's Square, that once was a swamp and now turned into a great green space.

 

 That's King William III again and this time on a horse,

We headed to the St. Nicholas Markets where you can find everything but little you really need.

 Love to look.... handknit bunting!

 Everything you want on your pita.

 Past the flea market

 Hippodrome where Cary Grant who was born in Bristol, started his acting career.

 We saw a replica of the Mathew, the ship John Cabot sailed in 1497 to Newfoundland from Bristol. Now used to take tourists.

 We continued down the Avon River to where the Clifton Suspension Bridge could be seen.  Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed this famous bridge. 

 As we climbed up to the bridge we saw rock climbers on the cliffs. Exciting to watch but so scarey. Can you see the red shirt?

 At the top the bridge is even more spectacular. Norm was definitely impressed.

 You can see the Mathew ship going by underneath.

 Construction began in1836 but not completed till 1864 after Brunel died. 

 Yellow Bunny made the crossing too.

 Once on the other side we saw two people sitting on the edge. To wasn't long till the  authorities had them move. It is over 300 feet down!

 We then got to learn even more about Isambard Kingdom Brunel, an info centre right after you walk the bridge. 

 But wait there is more... we walked back along the river to the SS Great Britain, a ship that changed the world, designed by ....Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Sorry we didn't do the tour for 14 pounds but we did stick around for a drink. 

 

 

A snack to keep our energy up.

 A few churches along the way home.

 

This is the remains of a church after the bombing of World War II. Over 80,000 buildings in Bristol were destroyed during the war. 

 

St, Mary's Redcliff. Tomorrow is Rush Sunday...??

As we got back to our place we found the coat of arms for Bristol, 

 Those are unicorns and the words - By Virtue and Industry

The view from the Victoria Park right near our home stay. Lovely spot and a perfect evening in the sun.