BREXIT happened overnight and we woke to a UK which had voted to leave the European Union.
The streets were remarkably uncrowded, not sure this was related to Brexit results but it did make the walking about the city center much more enjoyable.
Martha and I walked around the Bristol Cathedral before the tour:
Bristol Cathedral
Damaged by bombs during WWII and rebuilt after the war, the lost stained glass windows on the west wall were replaced with figures depicting the services that helped the people during the war:
One of two Unicorns installed on top of Bristol City Hall
This town really loves the cartoon characters of
Wallace and Grommit.
The following pictures were taken after we met with the tour group, it's specialty is wall art and showing us pubs of note and locations associated with the infamous Blackbeard, the pirate.
The first wall art we were led to was right next to City Hall, the artist name is Banksy, apparently a renowned street artist.
The Hatchet Inn was apparently a favorite haunt of Blackbeard the Pirate
It claims the title of Oldest Pub in Bristol, along with five others
according to the guide, Duncan.
Different street art on Leonard Lane, literally on Leonard Lane.
The artist, Ben Wilson, created his art on chewing gum that was
on the street. A new one on me!
Connor Harrington and his wall art, two men
having a duel. Apparently alluding the the conflict
between Ireland and England?
We saw other examples of art created in the four day window established during the See No Evil Artwork Festival, check it out if its something that interests you, by all means.
I didn't notice till the guide pointed it out, but the clock at the Corn Exchange
depicts two time zones, GMT and Bristol Time:
The Llandoger Trow Pub. Where apparently the author of
Robinson Crusoe heard the story of a fellow marooned on a
desert island for four years and was inspired to write the book.
John Cabot, a.k.a. Giovanni Caboto. A failed architect would
later sail a ship which is replicated below to find Newfoundland.
One of the last stops was the Hole in the Wall Pub. It's claim to fame detailed below, back in the days when
the Royal Navy conducted "impressment" forays into the pubs located near the water. The expression: "Taking the Queen's Shilling" comes from such activities we found out.
Our guide told us that Blackbeard was born in a house where
these row houses now stand.
Martha and I had lunch in the Hole in the Wall Pub after the tour was done. The place was pretty much empty, with us two being the sole customers. Kind of weird but welcome.
4 comments:
So unicorns do exist ;-)
You have chosen an interesting time to travel through Britain. European football championship, Brexit...
The Unicorn is apparently the official animal of Scotland per our guide, SonjaM. We thought about Brexit while planning this trip, so far it's been a tranquil (to our eyes) event.
Seems your exploring history through the buildings and art of the locale, and living history as the nation decides to exit the European Union. It's a brave new world your wandering.
I've been following the historical places you've been photographing in this post and others. I envy the chance to peer into the past like you are. Our past here in Pennsylvania is young in comparison.
Great stuff. Great trip. And it appears Martha loves Wallace and Grommet too!
Steve Williams
Scooter in the Sticks
Thanks Steve Williams, always interesting to see bits of history tied together to what you already know or heard of.
The artwork was interesting to be sure, after all, I'd never even heard of painting on a wad of chewing gum till that moment!
Our country is young in comparison to the stuff in the UK.....here they look to the past more than we do.
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