It was May 2nd 2016 and a May Bank Holiday. There were around 3,500 people visiting a rail depot in Bristol. Why I hear you ask? Well, it was he 40th anniversary of the High Speed Train being celebrated at an open day at St Philips Marsh depot in Bristol. Of course, being a female‘anorak’( … Continue reading 40th anniversary of the GWR High Speed Train Bristol
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery is located on Queens Road, which is situated at the top of Bristol’s famous Park Street – you cannot miss the iconic Wills Memorial Building standing proudly on the right hand side as you travel up the hill. Bus numbers 8 and 9 depart directly from Bristol Temple Meads Railway station every … Continue reading Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
From food to flyboarding, music to The Matthew, dance to dogs, whales to water, Pyronaut to paddleboarding, Brunel and his bridge afloat in a box, to bobbing boats! Yes, it’s the Bristol Harbour Festival. One of the best ways to view the festival activity is to take a trip down the harbour; it also gives … Continue reading Bristol Harbour Festival
The Renal Care Appeal – The Richard Bright Renal Centre at Southmead Hospital Bristol is the largest of its kind in the South West of England. It carries out more than 100 kidney transplants every year and has led the way with keyhole surgery, spousal donation and non-heartbeating donor transplants. The unit is also pioneering techniques … Continue reading Southmead Renal Ride – Charity Motorbike Ride Bristol
Having arrived at Bristol Temple Meads Station, it was clear to see this station had a history. Established (and built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel) in 1839-41 as the terminus and offices of the Great Western Railway’s London to Bristol line, and a train shed built in 1852 (designed by S C Fripp) to serve the … Continue reading Visit to Bristol
We will remember them. Bristol Centre came to a standstill. Silence filled the city. 11am Sunday 9th November 2014. Lest we forget. Youtube clip of the 2014 Parade – please click on link below:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHntTT3BEaM Continue reading Remembrance Sunday Bristol 2014
The sun was shining, it was Sunday, and I had eaten my lunch. What to do next? Then it dawned on me that this weekend was the Weston Air Festival and Armed Forces Spectacular. Where I hear you ask? Well, the display was to be held along the entire length of seafront at Weston Super … Continue reading Weston Super Mare Air Festival
It was a very busy Bank Holiday Weekend! Why? Well Bristol held a HUGE foodie celebration across the city. Bristol Food Connections is a city wide festival celebrating all things food. Venues include Waterfront Square, Anchor Square, Millennium Square, College Green and a very exciting tipi village in Queens Square. Top chefs including Jamie Oliver, … Continue reading Bristol Food Connections
Whether you are a biker or a hiker, wish to indulge in cream teas or views that please, Lynton and Lynmouth is the perfect place for all. Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon, twin towns connected by the famous Cliff Railway in the heart of Exmoor National Park, have an impressive history, and are surprising … Continue reading Little Switzerland! Lynton and Lynmouth North Devon
What a lot of precious metal!! The Haynes International Motor Museum in Somerset holds the UK’s largest exhibition of the greatest cars from around the world. Over 400 cars from the 50’ and 60’s are on show in halls (so it’s a great place to bring your children for a family day out), or if you … Continue reading Haynes International Motor Museum
Glastonbury was absolutely heaving! Queues were forming at all the entrances to Glastonbury Abbey, the sun was shining, picnic hampers and comfortable seating to hand, young and old alike all waiting for the gates to open at 5pm. Brian Ferry, with Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel as support were due to play at the Glastonbury … Continue reading Bryan Ferry and Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel at Glastonbury Abbey
The South of England’s Great Classics and Super Cars Show held at Sherborne Castle in Dorset has to be one of the most fabulous venues for this annual summer event. A place where historic classic cars aged 100 years and older to the very new super cars of today, parade, shine, dazzle and inspire the visitor. Take a … Continue reading Great Classics and Super Cars Show Sherborne Castle Dorset
Mottisfont House, (which in 1201 was an Augustinian Priory until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries) has been owned and loved by generations of people. Passing through the elegant rooms, you find traces of all these previous owners around you. A particular ‘wow’ factor has to be the drawing room painted by Rex Whistler in the … Continue reading Mottisfont House Romsey
Motor biking through the Isle of Purbeck (via the chain link ferry from Sandbanks to Studland) leads you from the heart of the countryside to the heart of the seaside at Swanage. Swanage Bay, with its fine sandy beach gives you great views to the Isle of Wight, (which 50,000 years ago was still joined … Continue reading Seaside Town Swanage Dorset
Bank holiday Monday, skies were blue, and I was on the West Somerset Railway on board a fabulous old steam engine chuffing its way from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead….bliss! Read all about it here: http://wp.me/P1g6oe-WA Enjoy! Continue reading West Somerset Railway Steam Loco to Minehead
33rd Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show 2013 – Bath and West Showground. The sky was blue (makes a change from all the rain, cold, snow and ice – preventing even the most hardy of motorcyclists from venturing out onto their machines), and the weather forecast was dry, sunny and bright! It was time for … Continue reading Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show 2013
I had the pleasure of visiting two very different German Christmas Markets just before Christmas. I would certainly recommend a visit – Air Berlin have extremely good value flights from London, which fly directly to Nuremberg Airport, where you can catch the U-Bahn U2 underground Metro to the centre and be amidst the celebrations within … Continue reading Two (very different) Christmas Markets – Nuremberg and Regensburg Germany
“Oh Winchester, Oh Winchester, how beautiful is your city… “ It is always a joy to visit Winchester. The town, full with visitors and residents enjoying the glorious winter sunshine. It was a cool -1 degree C and everyone was out shopping, dining, chatting and generally enjoying their day. The High Street, complete with King … Continue reading Winchester Christmas Market
The full moon glowed brightly in the cloudless, dark night sky whilst the lantern parade moved through the old streets of Salisbury. Rather magical! Poetic bit over, the streets were absolutely heaving! Salisbury Market Square decorated with festive coloured lights, a tall elegant Christmas tree standing by the Town Hall, the honey coloured decorated chalets brimming … Continue reading Salisbury’s 1st Annual Christmas Market
What a treat, the sun was out and time to take the air. Views from Cabot Tower were stunning this afternoon (only about 100 steps to climb) but worth it for the reward at the top. Views of Bristol’s Harbourside, the Cathedral and beyond. After a stroll down Park Street, a wander past M Shed, … Continue reading From top of Cabot Tower to the bottom of the Grain Barge Bristol
Having purchased my James Bond 007 Skyfall tickets for the UK’s first showing at the Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square (and were now securely placed in my hand bag), I took the tube to South Kensington to visit the stunning new Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Spectacular – but very, very … Continue reading A privilege to watch Skyfall at the Odeon Leicester Square
Bristol’s 34th International Balloon Fiesta 2012 was one of the most uplifting events I have ever attended (pardon the pun)! 500,000 people, 100’s of balloons over 4 days, and best of all… it was FREE! Visit Events page quick link here: http://wp.me/P1g6oe-Kc Continue reading Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2012
I have just returned from the South of France ( where the temperature was a very pleasing 25 deg C) and just in time for Easter Day. The weather in Bristol was better than expected, and after a glorious slice of double chocolate cake from Patisserie Valerie it seemed sensible to walk off the HUGE amount … Continue reading The Chocolate Festival Bristol on Easter Day
Ashton Court Farmers Market After parking the bike in the car park by the old stables area – the visitor centre is also here, I noted that the car park was almost full. Always a good sign! Today was Farmers Market day at Ashton Court Bristol. The building itself is owned by Bristol Council (since … Continue reading Ashton Court Farmers Market Bristol
Arriving at Bristol Zoo could not be easier. From Bristol Templemeads railway station take the number 8 or the number 9 bus – the stop is on the right hand side as you exit the station – ( you can catch either of these buses from from Bristol Centre too ), and the bus stops … Continue reading Bristol Zoo – a great day out!
London Hyde Park Christmas market Continue reading Hyde Park Christmas Market
Last year in December the weather was extremely cold with snow and ice everywhere. This year in December, a complete contrast; grey, damp, overcast, wet, drizzle…. I won’t go on!! However, the weather did not deter the people of Sherborne on this their Festive Shopping Day. Shoppers were out and about, the market stalls … Continue reading Sherborne – Festive Shopping Day
Weymouth is home to some of Dorset’s finest pubs and restaurants, and a beautiful beach with fine golden sands for even the youngest child to play safely on. Weymouth Harbour is a haven for both little sailing boats, cabin cruisers and the larger Condor ferries, together with a multitude of fishing boats. Weymouth is steeped … Continue reading Weymouth Dorset
Sitting on the wall at Poole Quay, watching the boats pass by in the October sunshine was an ideal way to unwind and relax for the afternoon. Poole harbour is a fantastic natural harbour, and is the second largest natural harbour in the world – Sydney Australia being the largest. With Brownsea Island, Studland Bay, … Continue reading Poole Dorset
The decision was made – we would travel to Aix en Provence by train – ALL the way!! Visit my France travel blog page here : http://wp.me/P1g6oe-ov Continue reading Just returned from Aix en Provence…
I am currently on board Brittany Ferries Cruise Ship Cap Finistere from Portsmouth to Bilbao. The weather was rather windy, but this ship just ploughed through the waves with ease. Having left Portsmouth on time, and found our cabin, we took a quick reccy around the boat. The words floating hotel springs to mind. What … Continue reading Whale and Dolphin spotting with Brittany Ferries Bilbao Spain
WOW! Truckfest was brilliant. Bigfoot 17 and Slingshot battle for the best, stunt bikes duo Dan and John flying through the air, recovery trucks, big trucks, colourful trucks – all at the Bath and West Showground. For more photos and blog Visit Truck Fest at Bath and West 2011 page now… Continue reading Truck Fest at The Bath and West Showground 2011
Winchester, a place where I grew up, explored and loved as a child. The city of Winchester lies along the River Itchen and is the county town of Hampshire. Winchester’s major landmark is of course Winchester Cathedral, which was originally built in 1079, and is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest … Continue reading Visit to Winchester
