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.