I feel too full and contented to be writing anything remotely interesting - the glass of wine and meal to celebrate completing Somerset is taking its toll!
Thought today was going to be quite stressful as we hadn't got a campsite sorted; they are few and far between in Bristol and I had tried to find one yesterday with no luck. However, I rang the site by the harbour and by the SS Great Britain once again on the off chance and they could fit us on! So The Walker left happier when he knew there wouldn't be stress at the end of the day.
Waited for him at the SS Great Britain and spent a fascinating couple of hours being a ship's passenger in Victorian times. I think I would have stayed at home - even the first class accommodation was a tiny cubicle for 2! And I would never have fitted in the narrow bed! A really excellent visit.
Brunel's SS Great Britain
Now to find a place to stay tomorrow.....
We then tried to find a path to the Clifton Suspension Bridge and ended up walking a couple of miles more than we needed to - who navigated ? - no not I!!! Superb walk though and a very impressive bridge, scary to look down. I don't think I'll risk driving the van over it tomorrow - at least not in this wind!
From Bernie:
Today's walk 8.7 miles : Cumulative 311.5 miles
Much easier walk today despite the ridiculously strong wind; almost blown off the top of Dundry Hill where quite large branches had been ripped from trees &, on the short summit section where I followed the road, I wasn't sure whether to be watching for flying debris or looking out for cars driving erratically to avoid broken lumps of tree!
Looking back across Chew Valley... from about half way up Dundry Hill!
Followed 'The Malago Greenway' into the centre of Bristol - I'd never heard of it but it carried me painlessly through parkland & beside streams almost to the centre of the city. I hadn't been looking forward to this system-shocking encounter with thousands of people after all the quiet walking but this route wasn't bad & had to be endured if I was to reach Brunel's SS Great Britain!
Highlight of the Day: and the reason for this detour into the centre of Bristol! I'd never visited the SS Great Britain & it was one of the first 'touristy' things I'd pencilled in on our itinerary. The ship, the Dockyard Museum, the setting, the restoration work are all superb & the thing I find really amazing is that it now sits in the same Dry Dock where it was built between 1839 & 1843. I even bought a tee-shirt!
Great Western Dockyard - a still-working corner of SS Great Britain's home
This afternoon we climbed to cross Brunel's suspension bridge, another fantastic achievement. The views are quite stunning... the only sad thing is it was low tide: a bit of water would have made the pictures better!
Water would have spoiled it, though, for the 3 young men we saw mud-wading across the river. One of them, wearing a wetsuit, floundered knee-deep into the middle of the channel while the other 2 hung on to ropes that I suppose were to prevent him sinking.... I don't think he would have been washed away!
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Beer of the Day: another 'Butcombe' ale, 'Mendip Spring' this time - a pale bitter with a very bitter flavour; reasonably refreshing but I don't seem to have acquired a taste for the Butcombe Brewery yet!
Met 3 French girls above the suspension bridge who asked Les if she would take their picture; they reciprocated & this is the result... just to prove that after more than 3 weeks we're still friends!
LeJog Partners!
Another county completed & we're still on schedule: when I emerge from the far side of Bristol it will be into Gloucestershire.... I'm not sure what I should be eating & drinking there.
Pam: apart from the very wet day in St. Ives & the ridiculous storm in Bude we haven't really had much rain - only thin, wispy, drizzly stuff. Still, off to Wales soon & they know what wet weather is!
Glen & David: just looking back over my notes &, yes, we have met one or two strange characters along the way! Glad you're keeping up with our exploits & it's brilliant that Roy's part of the adventure! If you scroll right down to the bottom of either the 'Home' page or the 'Introduction' page you should see a hits-counter, along with the distance-marker. I think we had about 2000 hits when I last looked. If it's not showing let me know & I'll get the Technical Team on to it!
what a lovely name for a place Velvet Bottom, i'm assuming it's green and lush did you take a photo? View into Chedder Gorge was great, a perfect picture post card shot.Glad to see you are still friends and the comfined space hasn't proved too difficult, as long as you keep getting up and making the coffee and breakfast in bed I'm sure all will be well X
ReplyDeletenice photo of the clifton suspension bridge and i am glad the tide was out as i think this is the first time i have seen a photo like this and as of 12.50pm the hits-counter was at 02387 well have a great walk today all the best nathan
ReplyDeleteJust testing - will this work?? Ann
ReplyDeleteIt's looking promising so I'll carry on. Agree with Nathan - great picture of Clifton Suspension Bridge. I walked over it on a trip with the Brownies at the age of 8 and discovered I suffered from vertigo. I visited Cheddar Gorge on the same trip but don't remember it being anywhere near as beautiful as your photos show. I hope that the knees are keeping you upright in these strong winds. Are you going to have any 'rest days'? Do you know what they are? I'm loving the beer of the day info. Here's a thought - how about tune for the day - taken from your vast, eclectic collection - what particularly takes your fancy each day? Give the rest of us out here in blog land to go search out! Good walking tomorrow. (Les, I'm impressed with how much you're doing too!). Love, Ann
ReplyDeleteSecond attempt - agree with Nathan - great pic. of Clifto Suspension Bridge. I walked over it when 8 yrs old - and discovered I suffer from vertigo. Hopt the knees are keeping you upright in these high winds. I'm loving the ale of the day info. Here's a thought - how about tune of the day, chosen from your amazing, eclectic collection? All of us in blog land can then go hunting for it! Have a good walk tomorrow. Love Ann
ReplyDelete