Thankfully it stopped around 11am, so I was off to look at the local markets…

Kitted out and ready to go, it was a short walk to the market outside the Watershed… mainly comprising of locally produced crafts.

From the Watershed it was across the road and up to the main market in Corn Street where almost all of the trading went on during the 18th Century (hence the name).

… the small outside market is supplemented by the indoor market just off street.

.. back outside and up the road to Castle Park were ruins of St. Peter’s church lays in the Broadmead district.

… from Castle Park it was a short hop to the main shopping location for Bristol; The Mall, Quakers Friars and the amazing Cabot Circus (below).

Simple walkways such as the one above (to the car park) draw you in – quite beautiful.

… no visit would be complete without a visit to the Apple Store.

Walking back through the Old City district it really brings out how the older buildings are a bit overwhelmed by modern architecture.

… end to a great day! But what holds for the next day? click to find out.

Started to walk around the northern side of the harbour this time opposite the SS Great Britain, a magnificent ship from any angle!

Crossing over at the bridge at the far end of the harbour I walked back along the cobbled path on Spike Island, its quite a large island, between the floating harbour and the tidal river.

I dropped into a gallery & cafe called funnily enough ‘Spike Island’ where I was surprised to bump into Gavin Strange (aka @JamFactory); well actually I recognised the tattoo on his leg and then plucked up enough courage to interrupt his conversation whilst in the queue for a drink. A very nice bloke!

This is where the magic happens, its Aardman Studios. Where characters like Morph, Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Creature Comforts were born/created.

… I spotted Gromit in one of the windows, I think he was in a board meeting – always knew he was the brains behind it all..

… just along from Aardman is the SS Great Britain and the Great Western Docks – I can’t tell you how important this area was to Bristol, Great Britain and the world.

… walking back along the docks I headed back to the city centre.

Below you can see some more dynamic panoramic shots using an app called Photosynth from Microsoft.

… above Floating Harbour

… above Watershed

… above Millennium Square

Finally got back only to have to break up a couple of Gulls having a fight right in front of me on the balcony! They have NO fear!

… it was a trek, with side streets with silly gradients. Reaching Brandon Hill, a public park itself quite high was just the start!

The many paths weaved their ways through the steep inclines. It was difficult to decide which one to take, most of the time the tower was obscured by the many trees so the choice had to be the route that took you up!

You can see how steep the hill is, the top is almost within reaching distance, but turn around; the views are quite breathtaking!

… typically every bird wants to be in my shots!

… take #2

The tower itself is in the process of enjoying £400,000 of TLC after it was re-classified as a listed building. At the base of the tower are some beautiful water themed gardens, plenty of benches and thankfully an ice cream van!

You weren’t allowed too close to the tower due to the work being carried out, but definitely worth a visit next year.

From the tower, it was easier going down the hill to visit ‘The Georgian House’ a snapshot of Bristol life from the past.

… pictures from the ‘upstairs’…

… next we step downstairs to the servants quarters.

… the kitchen

… the ‘dumb waiter’ which services the whole house. The stairs are for the staff to use, rather than the grand staircase.

From the Georgian House, out turn right to Park Street, probably one of the more famous streets in Bristol. To the top is the ‘Bristol Museum & Art Gallery’ – another trek up another hill!

Inside, we’re welcomed to one of Banksy’s famous pieces called ‘The Painted Angel’. As we continue into the museum, the more traditional exhibits are revealed.

The many natural history exhibits can be found on the 1st floor. Looking into their eyes, it seems that they’ve just been frozen in time – very lifelike.

… this is Alfred, Bristol Zoo’s and the worlds oldest gorilla in captivity at the time died in 1948 now preserved at the museum.

… there are a few new exhibits, an interesting wildlife photography displaying some amazing works such as the one above.

From the top, this guy is still trying to land (or take off!)

From the museum, it was a short walk to ‘The Red Lodge’ – going back from Georgian to Tudor age.

This picture (above) is from one of the rooms, you can see from the photograph I took below the rendition was quite accurate.

… after a quick visit to the Red Lodge (15 minutes as it was closing at 4pm), it was a walk down Park Street again towards ‘The College Green’ and then back to the apartment.

There are some Photosynth panoramic shots later in the post, hopefully they’ll work ok.

Regular readers will remember that I visited the National Trust site last year during its heavy restoration, you can see that post here. As you can see the wraps are off and the exterior of the house appears fully restored.

Above is the chapel for the Lord, there is a small covered connection to the main house, the main chapel door is on the other side. Inside you can see a snapshot of history, the last lord (Richard Gibbs), died in the house in 2001.

What I enjoy most is what’s going on behind the closed doors, the servants and staff areas are far more interesting.

… my journey today was to the Clifton area, home of the worlds first suspension bridge designed and built by Brunel.

You can see its quite a way up from the main Bristol city below, when you consider the construction began in 1831. For its history and background story visit the bridge’s own website (I’m not sure if it ‘tweets’ though).

I planned to visit the Clifton Observatory today, somewhere new to me! it was a small trek up the hill, but well worth it. The views from the the top of the cliff are outstanding, the bridge can be seen at its best from here.

As well as the views from the top of the observatory, you have the option to walk down some very steep steps to the ‘Giants Cave’ where it opens up to some amazing vista’s.

… of course coming down was the (relatively) easy part – going up the stairs again is a bit tricky for the taller person!

From the observatory it was only a short 10 minute walk to the Bristol Garden Zoo. I don’t know why zoo’s fascinate me so much, but if I know there is one around – I just have to visit!

… its a rope, with added ants!

.. and these grasshoppers (not locusts) were HUGE!

… this shot caught me by surprise, a glimpse of a silverback through the trees…

… its not only birds that make nests.

… how could you not fall in love with this cute pigmy hippo?

… “I’m going to jump, going to jump… NOW!”

… a seal’s arse – this picture had a lot of potential

… very graceful underwater.

… and ugly and very dangerous bird!

… awwww, meerkats..

… OK, I’ve adopted a meerkat, that’s 4 now!

… bye for today.

Needless to say when did finally get up (lazy git) I was welcomed to a warm if not still a little breezy day.

Sadly all was not well in the apartment, the water heater had a problem and decided to shut down! Hence a wash using the kettle was all that was possible. The guys at Bristol Luxury Apartments offered other accommodation, but I’d pretty much settled in and they said should be able to get someone in for Tuesday.

Off to explore, first point of call was @Bristol a high tech learning museum. The disco ball in Millennium Square actually houses the planetarium, fascinating although I did come out with a crick in my neck.

The creativity floor was brought to life with the help of the guys at Aardman, creators of Wallace & Gromit.

Downstairs there was plenty more the little (and bigger) kids to play with, science! wonderful..!

Very happy with this stitched panoramic shot; took about 12 shots to piece this together!

Just the other side of @Bristol is the Blue Reef Aquarium, got some great shots…

… this is actually a rather large Octopus, its at the top of the tank and what you can see is a reflection of mirrored in the surface of the water.

Pot Bellied Seahorse – lay off the lager mate!

After leaving the Aquarium I popped into the Pitcher & Piano, for some reason I had Fish ‘n’ Chips!

… a walk along the harbour side was needed, many cranes can be found each with its own story & history.

… finally a walk back to the apartment, just in time to see this wonderful sunset.

The picture above shows the view from the apartment window in Harbourside, there you can see the masts from the SS Great Britain.

While out to get some air (it was VERY breezy in Bristol!) I walked through the Millennium Square, home of @Bristol and this huge disco ball.

Many water sculptures are dotted around the square, each one an impressive display.

A couple of shots from around the floating harbour, a massive feat designed to eliminate the dependency upon the tides for imports and exports from Bristol in the early 19th century.

Above, my home for the week – top floor!

T’was a windy day on the beach…

… packed with people (or not!)

… on the pier, a poor granny trying to enjoy the views

… coffee and a view, I could stay here all day.

… hmmmm, for a bank holiday week I was expecting more people.

… just 1 man and his dog been through here… I can read tracks!

… lest we forget.

… this is where the dinosaurs live(d)

… Browns Golf, famous for their courses and their doughnuts!

… can you see him?

Just some shots of around Freshwater Bay, made it up onto the cliff today and tried out some more fancy shots with the Lumix G1.

There were times when I loathed windy mornings, I’d sit on the bench by the bay and continually fight with the newspaper as it flapped about like a huge sail. Now the worries are a thing of the past, the Kindle has no such problems and assuming its fully charged you can read till your hearts content in all conditions.

I needed to check out some museums that I hadn’t visited before namely the Coach & Bus Museum and the Classic Boat Museum, both practically next door to each other which was very convenient.

The museum wasn’t large and appeared to be managed by keen enthusiasts, the picture above show’s part of an early bus/tram prior to renovation.

I know what they say about the backside of a bus; but I can’t see it myself..

… my dad used to drive a bus.

From Land to water, strolling down the quay and into the Classic Boat Museum. I wonder if the owners watched Thunderbirds?

… why do boats have steering wheels? and it can’t be pleasant/healthy having the engine exposed there..

… damn posh!

Waving goodbye to the lady in the boat, to be honest I’m a little concerned about here right hand, I think she may have lost it in some kind of shipping accident!

My next stop was at the Owl & Monkey Haven a recent addition to the island, this fresh (and still developing) park/attraction is well worth a visit. What I found in particular was how unworried all the animals were, as you can see from the photo’s they are quite happy for you to snap away without going and hiding somewhere.

…tsk, dirty monkey!

… you can let go now!

… cute haircut …

He wants to play, but she just wasn’t interested.

… oh, there were some birds there as well, mainly owls but some others as well…

… mmmm, pond swirly

.. more monkeys!

… “you want some orange? I swap you camera for orange – good deal?”

… When I saw this, I thought ‘Hell, that’s what I call targeted marketing’ but then I realised that the Capuchin monkey was also called Martin…

… mmmm, tasty – ugh, maybe not!

… ‘now what happened to the fruit, I’m sure it was here just a minute ago.’ I have to admit, I was quite taken in by Martin the Capuchin, so I adopted him – of course he’ll stay at the Haven, but the money will help his keep healthy and entertained.

I waved goodbye to the animals and made my way west towards Ryde…

… I guess this is where The Addams Family have moved to?

… love this era of buildings,

… do you think this London Underground train is lost?

… I’ve been waiting 3 days to visit the Donald McGill’s Saucy Seaside Postcard Museum I found it quite easily, as you can see from the picture above it stands out from the crowd!

The £3.50 entrance fee allows you access to this single room, there are some display cabinets with postcards, which you can read easily – others are ‘locked away’ in the fake police van. Sadly most of the works are pasted onto the ceiling which means, although it looks great you cannot read any of them!

A very disappointing end to the day.

… it was teddy bear day and the kids had to bring their own teddies…

… it was lonely in third class, but surprisingly well furnished!

… loads of bluebells along the trackside

From Haven Street it was a short drive through Newport, Yarmouth and on to Fort Victoria.

… in the aquarium I found this CrAZy little guy, still tripping in 2011,

… and yes I found Nemo.