Bristol Bumblings - Day 5 - Sunday 13th September 2015 - The smell of bleach is not the smoothest aphrodisiac known to the human race.

After an absolutely dreadful night's sleep, I dragged myself out of bed at 8 am, performed all of the usual ablutions plus one or two others just for the sheer novelty value then had breakfast.  The Hilton weekend breakfast continued apace.  Basically, the special items that you can get during the week disappear at the weekend.  Also and no fault to them but it's odd to see cleaners at 5.35 pm in your room.  I sneaked in then sneaked out again.

Anyway, I left the Hilton at about 10 am and had to negotiate the diversions and pleasures associated with the Half Marathon.  Not as busy as you may think but still runners to negotiate and the seemingly ubiquitous crossing points, so that pedestrians and cyclists could outpace the runners.

I was off to College Green for the Street Art Walking Tour and upon arrival, I was approached by a gentleman who mistook me for the tour guide.  Funny that as I also thought that he was the guide.  At about 10.50 am, the real guide, a happy and friendly lady called Harriet appeared.  She is an actual street artist.  I believe that she works on both sides of the crooked canvas, if you catch my drift.  She also teaches and at one point in the tour, she pointed out a project that she had worked on with some Prince's Trust students.  She was very informative on the laws and rules surrounding street art both within the community and in relation to the judicial system.  There are lawful and unlawful works.  Then as has been the case with a certain Mr. Banksy, there have been works that the local council has asked the residents to either condone or condemn.  Almost like Nero sitting in an arena requesting a thumbs up or down.

It was interesting to learn that Banksy actually doesn't have much surviving artwork in Bristol and that there are certain crews/krews who have recently taken to splashing blue paint on his and others' works, as apparently a defaced work can apparently be seen as an opportunity to start again.  It is interesting to think that within the street art community, there does seem to be a minority who can't stand the success of Banksy.

Harriet, the tour guide, I believe is also known as Miss Hazard, eventually took the group to Stokes Croft.  Stokes Croft is home to lots of independent businesses and also some of the finest street  art you could ever wish to see.  Harriet explained how some of the art on the shops would have been paid for and really served to brighten up the businesses.  Also the concept of memorial walls is touching. In situations where a graffiti artist or one of their associates die, it is not uncommon to create a painted memorial, in many respects the equivalent of a tombstone.  Harriet explained how these memorials could not be subsequently painted over by other artists.

The tour went on for two hours and other than avoiding the runners where possible, the tour went by without a hitch.

After this, I went wandering.  I hoped to find Cabot Tower.  This was the last of the places on my list of places I really wanted to visit.  Eventually, after traipsing around for awhile, I found it and climbed to the top of the Tower up some very steep stairs.  The views of Bristol and other surrounding areas were stunning.

Upon finally descending, I found the restaurant I spotted on my first night and decided to eat there. Very good food and it was nice to stop for awhile and reflect on the day's events (but can I remember the name of the restaurant?).

It has been a strange old week in Bristol, I have encountered and embraced a myriad of feelings. Sometimes, a sense of sadness has overcome me, but only for a short period.  Being a single traveller opens your eyes to the world around you and also to aspects of your character you have either ignored or failed to notice.  I have enjoyed Bristol, precisely because it eludes simple definition.  It can be subversive.  It has a history of riots and social protest, but there have been times when these moments have been for the greater good.  It has an art scene that continues to expand.  Bristol is its own work in progress, not entirely incumbent upon the past, which can all too often suffocate the cultural scene in London.  I see Bristol as a seed being gently watered.  Its identity is as fluid as the rivers that flow through it.  Brunel still respected as an innovator and life begins anew when you wander tremulously over the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the wind.  Bristol is perfectly symbolised by that bridge.  So high and so expansive.

In closing, there is a dark side to Bristol.  Upon entering one of the toilets in a park, a sharps bin was available to deposit your used needles, a sorry reminder of the all pervasive shadow of drugs in every society.  Homelessness also seems to be an issue.  But I am sure that there problems are being addressed.

Bristol is the city for people who have forgotten how to love, both themselves and others.  It provides the warm hug of a stranger and reminds you of the importance of union and unity.  It offers a culture borne of love and persistence.

                                                         Barry Watt - Sunday 13th September 2015.

Photos.

Defaced Banksy work.

The brilliance of Stick.  His work is also very visible around London.

Stokes Croft.  A nirvana for anyone who likes art.

A mock blue plaque.

Cabot Tower.

View from Cabot Tower.

Ruins of a church behind my hotel.  I discovered them on my last day.

Afterword.

The Bristol Street Art tours are brilliant.  Please see the below link for more information:

http://www.wherethewall.com/tours/

The Hilton Garden Inn hotel has a website.  You pays your money, you takes your choice!

http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-garden-inn-bristol-city-centre-BRSCCGI/index.html

                                                                                                                               BW

 

Bristol Bumblings - Day 4 - Saturday 12th September 2015 - The show sadly didn't start but the cabaret worked the room.

Today was a strange Saturday.  I ticked off most of the places I wanted to see and finished up in the bar connected with a cancelled show.  As I am slightly drunk and today was pretty weird, the places I visited in a particular order are now in whatever order they spring to mind.

I visited the M Shed first.  Think of it as a museum that focuses on Bristol from different angles.  As such, you get an overview through random facts and the rather neat postcard contribution system created so that the local residents can offer their views about various areas of Bristol.  I am left with the feeling that the city is happening.  It's a culture focused on the present with only partial asides to the past.

Next, I visited Arnolfini, another art gallery.  A big space with an exhibition that epitomised average. Nothing wrong with it, but just too empty and distant to allow a meaningful dialogue with this viewer.

I went to Bristol Cathedral after this and was amazed as ever by the stained glass windows and sheer majesty of this holy building.  The roof structure alone was stunning.  Also fortunately as it was Bristol Doors Open Day (and the Cathedral was part of this annual celebration of beautiful architecture etc), there was a sense of energy emanating from the staff, which was catching.

Through a sheer feat of synchronicity, I was also able to enter the Theatre collection of the University of Bristol, which I have been told to tell everyone is open to the public during the week (but not usually on Saturdays).  Only open on Saturday because of the aforementioned Bristol Doors Open Day.  It includes Stephanie Cole's personal artifacts that she has given to the collection and there was also a small exhibition of shocking productions, which included a small scale stage set of 'Look Back In Anger' from its original run at the Royal Court Theatre in London.

I finally ended up in the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.  This reminded me of the V and A.  Having said that the art galleries contained an impressive range of works.  Also there was a choir on site. Children singing beautifully and adults wondering where their own singing voices had gone.

At some point today, I had some dodgy fish and chips, which may or may not have left me feeling ill, prior to heading for the theatre.

'The Stick House' is being performed in a tunnel network beneath Bristol Temple Meads Station, which has been converted into the Lo-co Klub, a temporary arts venue for a range of forthcoming events.  Upon arrival under a viaduct, a small handful of us were wondering why the door wasn't open.  Around 6.30 pm, the bar staff arrived and apologised that today's shows had been cancelled owing to the illness of one of the leads (there are three members of cast).  The two very friendly bar staff invited us to stay, I did and the other audience members chose to go elsewhere.  We just spent time chatting about mutual interests and possibly compiling the weirdest Spotify playlist of all time, taking in lots of sad songs and any other songs that took our fancy.  The Lo-co Klub looks as though it will be sticking around for awhile and good luck to Tessa and Rose plus anyone else who works there.

Last day tomorrow, so sleep beckons.

                                                          Barry Watt - Saturday 12th September 2015.

Photos.

M Shed.

M Shed on the left with steam train, crane and interesting vessel.

Arnolfini Gallery.

Interior of Bristol Cathedral.

Something about this touched me, maybe because it was created by children.

Exterior of Bristol Cathedral.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

Exterior of Bristol Cathedral.  Something about religious iconography and interesting cloud formations fascinate me.

Afterword.

M Shed is a most delightful museum recounting many fascinating details about Bristol and its residents.  Their website is:

http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed/

Arnolfini is an institute of contemporary arts.  Their exhibition at the time of my visit did not change my life but it was a space worth visiting:

http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/

Bristol Cathedral is simply lovely:

http://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/

Bristol Doors Open Day appears to be held every year and basically involves a whole range of buildings and spaces opening up to allow visitors to learn more about their histories and/or architecture:

http://www.bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk/

The University of Bristol's Theatre Collection is well worth a visit:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/theatre-collection/about/

'Look Back In Anger' was written by John Osborne and was premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 8th May 1956.  The play is available from Faber and Faber.  For more information on the Royal Court Theatre and its exciting repertoire of plays, please see their website:

http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/

The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery offers an interesting mix of natural history and art:

http://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/

The Victoria and Albert Museum is based in London and tends to put on pretty good exhibitions even if their layouts leave something to be desired from time to time:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

'The Stick House' is currently being staged at the Lo-co Klub in Bristol.  Sadly the one that got away for me:

http://www.raucous.org.uk/whats-next

The Lo-co Klub seems to be spelt differently everywhere you see a reference to it but anyhow, here's some more information about it:

http://invisiblecircus.co.uk/the-loco-klub/

                                                                                                                                BW

Bristol Bumblings - Day 3 - Friday 11th September 2015 - 'It's lighter on the other side'

Today, I dragged myself out of bed a little later than previously.  As such, I had breakfast at about 8am and was pleasantly surprised how quiet it was.  I also had a kipper today from the menu.  I am determined to experiment with the breakfasts on offer during my stay.

After breakfast, I headed to Arnos Vale Cemetery located on Bath Road.  It was one of those cross your fingers walking trips (i.e. will I be able to walk along the road).  The answer was yes.  Upon arriving, I was stunned how early it still was.  It was around about 9.30am when I arrived.  I wandered around the Victorian cemetery, captivated as ever by the symbolism on the graves such as the anchors and the veiled urns.  I was also saddened by the state of many of the graves.  Stones and tombs lay broken and beyond the possibility of repair.  One of the most potent images I saw today was the root of a tree effectively holding up a gravestone.

As I walked around, I began to feel quite sad.  I guess the loss of Dad, started to creep up on me as I read the inscriptions on the gravestones and saw people laying flowers (the cemetery is fortunately still in active use).

I popped into the Atrium Cafe and was greeted by two pleasant ladies who pushed a tea bag onto me like dealers but in a good way.  Their carrot cake probably got me through the rest of the day.  The tea and cake were money well spent!  There was also a great little exhibition downstairs describing the cemetery's temporary foray into cremation (it didn't last).

Shortly after my cafe experience, which was doubly pleasant thanks to the Radiohead soundtrack playing in the background, I left and decided to continue my long walk.

For reasons my brain has yet to divulge, it decided to send me off in search of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.  Now this entailed walking miles.  In fact, just when I thought I wouldn't have to walk any further, I then had to walk up a cliff face to get to Clifton.  The bridge was mightily impressive.  It is currently free to pedestrians, although I believe that motorists have to pay a toll to use it.  I decided to walk across it and was slightly unnerved by the wind as it blew up.  As I crossed, the bridge felt as though it was moving.  I was shocked by the Samaritans' advert I saw on the other side, as the thought of throwing myself off the bridge really wouldn't be an option were I so inclined.  Too high and that drop.  Ouch!

After leaving the bridge, I entered a toilet and I was intrigued by a phrase and drawing under the window, 'Foals Forever', which was accompanied by a pyramid surmounted by an eye.  Some cult affiliation or Illuminati aficionado perhaps?

I then decided to try to find the zoo when I realised that it was in the same neck of the woods.  The zoo was an interesting experience.  As I get older, I start to spot the problems of zoos.  For example, in certain cases, the animals just seem unhappy.  They are in captivity for their own good to preserve their species quite a bit of the time but they just seem restrained.  There are definitely exceptions to this.  The Meerkats for example are just posers.  Give them a pretty big space and they will shine like cabaret singers.  The other thing I noticed was how many sections of the zoo were closed for refurbishment and I also spotted the never-ending posters advising you to become a 'friend of the zoo'.  My friendship was sorely tested when I just about got change from £20 to get in.

I did see some captivating sights.  The Giant Leaf Insect was fascinating, clinging onto a leaf which is heavily resembled (the clue is in its name!).  Also I was unaware how playful and aggressive seals are.  Noisy too, they have a tendency to growl.

Upon leaving the zoo, I cheated and got a bus back to Temple Meads Station returning to the hotel briefly,  My last trip of the day was to a restaurant called Don Giovanni's just up the road from Bristol Temple Meads Station, where I was advised to sit on the other side of the table because it was lighter over there.  The food was superb and I got out of there prior to the arrival of the huge dinner party, so a winning outcome for me for a change.

                                                                                 Barry Watt - 11th September 2015.

Photos.

Angel in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

One of the many inscriptions in Arnos Vale Cemetery that made me nearly cry.

Nature seemingly holding up the gravestone.

Trees in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Life in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Clifton Suspension Bridge from below.

A view of Clifton Suspension Bridge.

A view from Clifton Suspension Bridge.  Phew, was it high up!

Cute wee seals in the Bristol Zoo.

Bat in Bristol Zoo.

Afterword.

Arnos Vale Cemetery is an amazing cemetery.  The staff were lovely there and were especially helpful when it came to choosing a guide book to purchase.  The Atrium Cafe is well worth a visit too!  Please see the link below for the cemetery and its many events:

https://arnosvale.org.uk/

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a must see if you visit Bristol but be warned, it's quite high!

http://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/

The Samaritans are a registered charity and are a lifeline for people who need to talk.  

http://www.samaritans.org/branches?gclid=CLvvk4j9gsgCFcRAGwodbNgIDw

The Illuminati can be explored below on Wikipedia.  Any of a number of real or imagined organisations.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminati

Bristol Zoo is worth a visit despite my comments about how much it cost to get in.

http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

Don Giovanni's Restaurant was and is well worth visiting.

http://www.dongiovannisbristol.co.uk/

                                                                                                                 BW

Bristol Bumblings - Day 2 - Thursday 10th September 2015 - To Dismaland and Beyond for the 'Loner from London'...

The day began really early...  I managed to drag my body down to breakfast at about 7am.  The Hilton breakfasts are slightly different to many others, as you can request items from the menu in addition to the buffet.  Oddly enough, I am still not inclined to over-indulge.  I was happy with a green tea with jasmine, a bowl of Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes and my item off the menu, smoked salmon brioche with scrambled egg.  I was amused to see how busy the breakfast room was.  Can't people sleep?

Once completed, I grabbed the bits I needed (camera etc) and headed to Bristol Temple Meads Station.  I caught an early train to Weston-Super-Mare and was pleasantly surprised to find myself queueing for Dismaland from 9am.

At 12pm, having been given an affectionate nickname by the surly ticket seller ('I don't sell tickets only wristbands'); he called me the 'Loner from London' after asking where I was from.  The lady next door gave me the wristband and continued to call me the nickname.  Her Mickey Mouse style ears and scowl brought out the best in her.  Finally armed with my silver wristband for 1pm entry to Dismaland, I decided to wander around Weston-Super-Mare for an hour.  The beach was beautiful, although charging 20p every time you want to use the loo is slightly disgusting.

At 1pm, I joined the 'final' queue for Dismaland.  This queue had their bags searched.  Oh yes, it was one of the security guard's birthdays, so earlier in the day we were all encouraged to sing happy birthday to him.  I wished him happy birthday as he escorted us across the road to the best 'bemusement park' I have ever visited.  We were led in past a very funny and authentic looking entrance, full of scanners, metal detectors and CCTV cameras.  A cardboard customs for the intelligentsia (the staff were real but nothing else was and I subsequently heard that one of the customs' officers made one of the visitors stand in the corner for laughing too much for a short period, although it didn't happen to me, I was just told to 'move on as there is nothing to see here'). Stumbling though this space led to the delights of Dismaland.  It really had everything.  The souvenir brochure seller who glared at you and could be seen licking or throwing your programme, depending on his mood.  He tortured me with my change, which he kept teasing me with then pulling it away.

The Dismaland staff wore distinctive uniforms.  In the event of any trouble, you would steer well clear of them with their witty little put downs and abject depressive demeanours.  The back of their uniforms read 'Dismal'.

There was so much to do and see.  The Ferris wheel that kept breaking down.  The National Trust guys (not real) who kept commenting how 'Alton Towers would be safer' as they pointed out the cracked concrete.  The absolute highlight was the almost magic kingdom where you were persuaded to smile in the direction of the smiley face on the wall for your photo to be taken, only to later discover that they had superimposed your image on an installation depicting the death of Cinderella in her coach, so that you looked like a crazy voyeur with the rest of the paparazzi.  The subsequent photograph that you could buy was a fiver and was money well spent!  Once again, I was insulted by the Dismaland staff who commented on there being a moth behind them when I opened my wallet.  Still that doesn't match the comment made by the photographer as I passed her, she advised me that she had 'tried her best'.

On a serious note, Banksy and the other artists were also making quite serious political points about a wide range of subjects including the refugee crisis and also the financial situation, with the growth in extortionate loan sharks capitalising on the depressed economic state.

I have to say that it was the best theme park I have ever attended.  The joke still lingers as I contemplate how much the artists are making from the merchandising.  T-shirts, posters, the aforementioned dodgy yet informative programme and even riot shields (apparently, although they had 'sold out').

After leaving the theme park, I walked around a bit, admiring the beach then back to Weston-Super-Mare station.

Back in Bristol, I crashed back at the hotel then went out and found an Indian restaurant.  The Bombay Boulevard was very good and I felt especially privileged being the only diner.

Now back at the hotel to rest and reflect.

                                                                 Barry Watt - 10th September 2015.  

Photos.

A bird in Weston-Super-Mare.

Swings on the beach featuring the bird above in Weston-Super-Mare.

Ouch!  Needless to say, I didn't go dancing on the mud.

Dismaland wristband.  Needless to say, it was so tight that it removed hairs from wrist when it was removed.

Dismaland in all its beauty!

Yes, it was the security guard's birthday!

Can't you see the magic in this kingdom?

Ah, now you know!

Cinderella has seen better days.

A happy member of the Dismaland proudly carrying her 'I am an imbecile' balloon.

No comment is needed except I am sure that money could be saved on expensive dentistry work.

Afterword.

The Hilton chain is a well known group of hotels.  Please take a look at the following website for further information:

http://www3.hilton.com/en/index.html?WT.mc_id=zMWWAAA0EA1WW2PSH3Search4DGGeneric7GW842004&WT.srch=1&utm_source=AdWords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=paidsearch

Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes are a well known brand of Corn Flakes and are produced by Kellogg's.  Their website is below:

http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/home.html

Mickey Mouse is copyright to Disney and I can assure you that his ears bear only a slight resemblance to the ears worn by the Dismaland staff on their head.  Disney have a website:

http://disney.co.uk/

Dismaland has its own website but the 'bemusement park' is only open for a couple more weeks, so if you want to see it get there quick:

http://dismaland.co.uk/

Alton Towers is a major theme park in the UK.  Their website is as below:

https://www.altontowers.com/

The National Trust actually perform a very valuable task maintaining and protecting all sorts of properties including historical buildings and woodlands.  Please see their website:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/what-we-do/what-we-protect/

Bombay Boulevard also has a website if you want a decent meal and are in Bristol.

http://bombay-boulevard.co.uk/

                                                                                                                                  BW

Bristol Bumblings - Day 1 - Wednesday 9th September 2015 - The Prerogative of the Lost

I am in Bristol in the Hilton, laying on a comfortable bed and drinking hot chocolate.  It still doesn't feel right.

Bristol was one of my world famous, sporadic last minute holidays.  My plan to visit a friend and to explore Devon went awry owing to a lack of accommodation.

My journey to Bristol was uneventful.  Short and quick on a not particularly busy train.  I am sure that there must have been some good reason why someone walked the entire length of the carriage to sit on the chair adjacent to mine.

Upon arrival, I attempted to follow the directions to the Hilton from Bristol Temple Meads Station and unsurprisingly got lost.  The exit I should have taken would have led to a zebra crossing, my exit led to traffic lights and a strange, sprawling city, a fusion culture held together by hotels.  In fact, I have never visited a city with so many hotels.

I spent some time in the Hilton once I found it.  I read and enjoyed the comfortable bed, then at 5pm, I decided to go out in hunt of something to eat and the Bristol Old Vic.

I took forever getting my bearings, stumbling around, fearful that I would miss the start of my play.  I succumbed to junk food then went to the theatre, where I saw an intelligent and provocative piece about the dangers of youth and religion called 'Martyr'.  Belief is one thing, devout submersion another.  The good word can have a negative impact in the wrong hands.  The audience was sadly only half full.  Hopefully, when it transfers to the Unicorn Theatre in London next week, it will be busier.  I did overhear a conversation between two members of the audience who stated that the theatre is rarely ever sold out, which is a shame as it's a lovely old theatre and the shows are eclectic and indeed, transfer regularly to London.

The most beautiful moments today involved seeing the lights reflected on the river and a church in the darkness, partially illuminated by spotlights.  Another aurally beautiful moment involved hearing The Smiths, whilst in the bar area of the Bristol Old Vic.  Fate wears a quiff and brandishes flowers.

I have purchased a return train ticket for Weston-Super-Mare tomorrow, hopefully to see Dismaland but if that plan fails (i.e. I can't get a ticket), I will at least visit somewhere new.

I will begin to properly explore Bristol on Friday.

                                                                               Barry Watt - 9th September 2015.

Photos

Hilton room.  My coat slung inelegantly over the chair, resembling a small and strange animal.

Bristol by night.  Nothing quite like light reflecting on water to put me in a good mood.

Mysterious church.  Everything looks gothic in the darkness.

Bristol Old Vic.

Afterword

Hilton Garden Inn Bristol City Centre is located near to Bristol Temple Meads and their website is below:

http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-garden-inn-bristol-city-centre-BRSCCGI/index.html

The Bristol Old Vic is a lovely theatre located in King Street, BS1 4ED.  This is a link to their website:
http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/257.html

'Martyr' is a play by Marius Von Mayenburg, a German playwright and is currently on at the Unicorn Theatre in London.  Its staging uses a number of Brecht's techniques including the cast on stage as the audience arrive.  Please see below for a link to the Unicorn Theatre and specifically the play.  It runs until 10th October:

https://www.unicorntheatre.com/whatson/101/martyr

Dismaland is the much publicised 'theme park'.  A brilliantly innovative collection of works by a variety of artists including Banksy.  The website is below:

http://dismaland.co.uk/

                                                                                                                                         BW.




                                                                             

Cardiff Capers - Part 4

Day 4 - Strange Rustlings in the Wetlands - 25th June 2015.

Today was my last full day in Cardiff.  I awoke this morning with no firm plans.  As such, after breakfast, I returned to Cardiff Bay.  The walk from the hotel to Cardiff Bay was good exercise and as I seem to feel more subdued around water, this seemed like a good idea.

I did visit somewhere that I didn't visit yesterday.  I stumbled upon the Cardiff Wetlands.  I loved the peace and quiet of wandering around long grasses, ponds and birds minding their own business.  At one point, I heard strange rustlings in the long grasses and wondered what arcane practises were afoot.  Probably, just a couple of birds asserting their territorial rights.

Having spent some time simply being quiet, I headed back to central Cardiff looking for somewhere to eat.  By chance, I stumbled on the Portuguese restaurant I can see from my hotel window.  I was their only customer.  Having eaten a starter and main course, I enquired about desserts and the waitress offered simply tiramisu as though that may have been the only dessert they had, I replied yes and enjoyed said dessert then headed back to the hotel room.  I spent the afternoon reading, prior to going out to the Elvis Costello gig at St. David's Hall.

As expected, Elvis Costello was blindingly good.  His support act, Larkin Poe, joined him for several songs during his set.  Their harmonies and musicianship contributed to a memorable evening with a curiously eclectic audience, some who seemed to want to be there, whilst others clearly preferred the subtle lures of the bar.  The gig finished at 11pm and I got slightly lost finding my way back to the hotel in the dark.  Nothing new there.

                                                                             Barry Watt - 25th June 2015.

Flower in the Wetlands.

Cardiff Wetlands.

Dandelion in the Wetlands.

Poster for Monsieur Costello outside the St David's Hall.

Afterword.

St David's Hall is a rather lovely venue in Cardiff.  Modern and has pretty good acoustics.  Here's their website:

http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/

                                                                                                                                     BW

Cardiff Capers Part 3

Day 3 - 24th June 2015 - It's Bigger on the Inside.

Amazingly, I slept last night.  I guess walking miles helps the act of sleep.

This morning after breakfast, I walked to Cardiff Bay.  The area reminded me of both Albert's Dock in Liverpool and also the dock area in Barcelona.  The Wales Millennium Centre seemed very impressive from the outside (I did not enter it).  I visited the Doctor Who Exhibition, purchased a timed admission ticket for 12pm and was informed that today they were very busy owing to a couple of school parties.  You could almost see a couple crying when they heard this.  When I eventually entered the exhibition, the experience began with a little immersive production where the crowds got to walk around and follow the instructions of Peter Capaldi's Doctor and a guide dress as a Gallifreyan.  My moment of stardom involved jumping up and down on a marked area of the floor with several other people in order to escape the Daleks and Skaro.  Once the tour group and I had saved the universe, we were free to look around and take photographs of the exhibits including lots of different versions of the Daleks and Cybermen.  

I left the exhibition and explored Cardiff Bay a little, stumbling upon Ianto Jones' Shrine.  Ianto Jones was a character in 'Torchwood' who died whilst saving the Earth.  The shrine occupies a wall where all sorts of stuff has been attached.  Baudrillard, you were ahead of your time, here is your 'hyperreality' made flesh!  I then walked around looking for somewhere to eat again.  Eventually, I returned to the hotel room with a couple of snacks and resolved to eat out later in a restaurant called 'The Smoke Haus'.  I overate here and I am currently recovering in the hotel room, watching the sun set.

                                                                                             Barry Watt - 24th June 2015.

Some of the inscription on the Wales Millennium Centre.

Ianto's Shrine.

No comment!  Enjoy!

Hands up who wouldn't wear a Cyberman costume as fetish wear?

Everyone loves a Weeping Angel!

Welsh Gull called Sarah.

Afterword.

All references to 'Doctor Who' and 'Torchwood' refer to the BBC programmes and as such, they own the copyright.

Jean Baudrillard was a French philosopher etc who became primarily associated with concepts of Postmodernism.  'Hyperreality' draws upon the idea that it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction.  I can't really recommend any books off of the top of my head at the moment about the subject, but it has been a key concept within popular culture for many years. See for example some of David Cronenberg's films such as 'Existenz'.  The world is a very strange place.

                                                                                                                                           BW.