A superb day, one of those special days you know you couldn't repeat.
Some time ago Barbara rang and asked if we would be interested in an 8 mile walk around Bristol for a children's charity. We agreed straight away.
Barbara was coming with two friends, Wendy and Leslie and we arranged to meet at Avonmouth, on the A4 heading into Bristol. We agreed to meet at 9am but, being a bank holiday weekend the traffic was heavier than anticipated and Barbie and crew didn't arrive until 10am so, instead of using the Park & Ride, we set off into the city to park at the carpark behind @Bristol. Note: Park & Ride £1, parking for the day at @Bristol, £8!
We parked up ok and went off into the square to register. After an early comfort break we set off over Millenium Bridge (I think that's its name, you know, the one with the horns!)
The walk started as follows:
Arnolfini, The Ostritch, The Coliseum (aka The Merchant Venturer), St. Mary Redcliffe, Queens Square and into King Street and the Old Duke reviving memories of hot nights, tight squeezes and great jazz. On then to the old castle, down Union St, back up Broad St and into Corn St. We browsed the market there then spent some time inside St Nicholas Street Market where we bought some amazing olives and Barbara nearly bought a watch! On to Bristol Cathedral.
From there we made our way up Jacobs Wells Road then up Constitution Hill (which brought a rosy glow to 5 pairs of cheeks) and so into Clifton.
Into Goldney Avenue and round the west side of Clifton via Sion Hill until we came to the Suspension Bridge. By now it was around 1.30pm and we were getting hungry so we stopped here for lunch.
Over the bridge then back over and up to the Observatory. It was quite dull now so we decided not to go in to see the camera obscura but to risk £1 to go down to St. Vincent's cave. Barbie didn't make it all the way. Wonderful view over the Portway and the river. See here for more information.
From the bridge the route took us into Clifton Village and we just meandered amongst the shops eventually stopping for a cup of tea. Then through a park and back down Constitution Hill and so back to Millenium square.
The walk was supposed to be 8 miles but we reckon slightly less than that. There were not many on the walk we think partly because Bristol Rovers were playing at Wembly and an estimated 30,000 fans had set off earlier that day. The rest were probably staying home to watch the game on tv.
As we arrived back in the square, it started to rain. Perfect timing.
