BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM

2016-02-11, 23:00, THORIN

‍

A few months after we arrived in old Blighty we decided to go and visit my Aunt and Uncle and cousin Hannah (shoutout) who live on the outskirts of Bristol. We figured we would get there early and explore the city, and later meet up with them for dinner and spend Sunday with them. We got on the morning train out of Waterloo and shot across to Bristol Temple Meads, which is a gorgeous train station. Popped out for a cheeky breakfast at a small cafe outside, and then walked all around. 

Bristol is the 'cool' city in the south of England. It often is overlooked for other cities in the country, as the south is considered a quaint countryside region without much development (which much of it is). But big cities like Southampton, Portsmouth and Bristol beg otherwise. Anyway, I digress. Bristol is very cool - still quite rough and industrial, without the hoity-toityness of London. Lots of underground music comes out of Bristol, like Massive Attack and Portishead, and this reflects very much on the culture -- much more countercultural and down to earth than the capitol.

Bristol is a port city, and historically the dockyards were where all the business was conducted. Traditonally they were rough, unsightly and had a poor reputation. However, a big regeneration campaign has been undertaken by the council to rejuvenate the waterfront and make it a cultural centre for the city. Its a little nouveau-chav, but the spaces along the riverfront are very cool with interesting installations, centres for arts and craft and stuff, as well as revamped boathouses hosting all kinds of installations etc. Worth checking out for sure.

After arrive we went through a great local market and then stroleld around the riverfront. Lots of cool architecture, both new and old, as well as a very British feeling makes it quite unique. Steeped in history (centre of the British slave trade *ahem*) has left a fascinating legacy in the culture and memorials in the city. Old churches and a huge statue of Queen Victoria are alongside contemporary museums condoning the slaving past as well as celebrating the art coming out of the city. 

When we met up with my Aunt and Uncle, they took us to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge that cross the Avon - a tremendous view and quite a feat of engineering from Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We later made our way up the far side and went up a hill, which also had its merits. 

Anyway, the rest of the trip was spent catching up with family and eating a delicious sunday roast before making our way back to London!