More Sights from Bristol

We had a hard time finding a restaurant that we could all agree on while walking in Bristol.  We came upon this place, the biggest buffet I have ever seen.  Each station had a different region for food.  Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Sushi, and so much more.  It was delish!

My cute little monkeys getting ready for bed.  I love how they still like to snuggle with each other.

August 2012

Banksy in Bristol

Bristol is a very interesting city.  It has an odd mixture of old and new with a very street-wise edge to it.  It is a city that has a large urban art movement, and thus tons of amazing graffiti art.  One of, if not the most, famous graffiti artists, Banksy, is from Bristol.  So we thought we would do a Banksy graffiti treasure hunt, trying to locate and photograph as many original Banksy's in Bristol as we could.  It was so much fun being on the lookout from the car having the kids try and spot where the Banksy was.  It was a great bonding experience for us.

The masked gorilla was my favorite.  While we were taking the picture the owner of the building walked up to us and profusely apologized as he had the one that painted over it, not knowing it was a Banksy.  He had tried hard to restore it to the best of his abilities.

We looked high and low for this one.  It was much smaller than the others we saw and almost drove right by it.  The sign is actually close to the ground.

 

Take the Money and Run.  Joe and Joci painting to the Banksy tag.

The Mild Mild West is probably considered one of the most famous Banksy, and is supposedly the piece of art that put him on the map.

Not a Banksy, but we thought it was amazing.

Also not a Banksy, but we liked it.

This Banksy in Stokescroft was 'framed' and covered with clear plastic.

Another funny one, but not a Banksy.

Another very famous Banksy.  The funny part was that it happened to be on the side of a sex clinic.  But, I like what it's called, "Well Hung"!

So this one is interesting.  Originally it was 'The Sniper' a picture of a sniper with a little boy holding a paper bag that he had blown up and was about to smash behind the sniper.  Unfortunately it was across the street from the Children's hospital.  We're pretty sure this was where it was.  Now there's the Queen as Ziggy Stardust.  Apparently, it is said to also be a Banksy.

Banksy did an exhibit at the Bristol Museum.  This was one of the pieces.

Also in the Bristol Museum.

Joe pointing to 'The Reaper'.

Never confirmed to be a Banksy, but many believe it is.

 

Banksy Cat and Dog.  Joe had loads of fun photographing everything as well.

August 2012

Our Allotment

We are so excited and absolutely bursting with ideas for our new allotment.  Apparently it's a miracle that we even got one as the waiting list is usually very long.  It seems luck was on our side, however, and we were called last week to claim our new little plot.  It's about (using my big foot as a measurement) 37x22, and very overgrown although mostly with grass and neglected vegetables than with weeds, so that's good.

I went to our allotment today and cleared away a bit around our giant apple tree, hoping to perhaps get some bulbs in the ground soon there.  I also sat and had a few quiet moments just thinking about all the things I want to plant and to make it a bit of a comfy place for our family to visit often.  I sat there looking at the possibilities and thought about how much my Dad would love to be here with us, although probably in the summer, working on it all with us, proud of us for the progress we made.  I love you, Dad!  And, I thought of my Mom, we always call her the slave-driver.  She is definitely a great motivator to get a job done.  I love you, too, Mom!  Missing you both so much!

Our plot is there on the open gate and then stretches to the left of the apple tree.  Our shed is the one all the way on the right and desperately needs some repairs.  Unfortunately, the greenhouse is not ours.

October 22, 2012

Get Well Soon!

Get well soon, Dad!  We all hope your surgery is speedy and successful and that you have a quick recovery!  We all love you very much and you are in our thoughts today. 

We're back, in Cheddar?

I've been having a rough time of it lately.  Life, as usual, has been a bit crazy, which always lends itself to fewer and fewer blog posts.  Also, and more importantly, I've been dealing, or trying to deal, with my Dad being sick, and me being here, and him being there, and you get the point.  I definitely have not been in the mood for making blog posts and editing pictures.  That being said, since Dad is in the hospital tomorrow, and I want him to be able to have lots of things to do and look at while in the hospital, I thought I would try and put some more posts up on the old blog, something new he hasn't seen yet.  I'm sure it will also lift my Mom's spirits, who no matter how strong and stoic she is, is struggling right now with all that is going on.  And...I'm not there.

So, usually when we go on trips, I'm a bit 'in charge' of finding interesting things to do.  I look up things on the internet and in books, magazines, etc, and try to find something that we all will enjoy.  So, on this trip (to Bath and Bristol) I found Cheddar Gorge, which is in Cheddar, UK.  It's where the original cave-aged cheddar cheese was made!  So, you've probably figured out that they have...caves!  I thought it would be fun.  And it was, but it was also one of the biggest tourist traps we'd ever been to, who would've thought?  So, there were a ton of people.  We decided on a bus tour and a cave tour.  The bus tour was neat, all 10 minutes of it (after waiting in line for a good hour!!!) and the cave was even better, educational even.  But when we were done, it was a bit like, we've had enough it's time to GO!

The highlight of my bus tour?  This gorgeous beauty who sat beside me!

Cheddar was very pretty with lots of little nooks and crannies and surprises tucked in around each corner

My super handsome boy!

We bought some REAL cheddar in Cheddar!  This was the cute store that we bought it at.  We all had a favorite, I liked the garlic herb, Joe the cave aged, and Jon the bleu.  Joci liked them ALL!

Loved these little flowers and plants that grew in the cracks of the walls.

Cheddar Gorge was impressive.  It was much bigger than the pictures let on.

August 26th, 2012