Next Stop . . . Bristol, England!

Time waits for no one, so I extended my trip to Bath with an afternoon in Bristol. I had been to Bristol once before in May 2011 but that was just for a party so I wanted to experience Bristol's city center to see for myself what Bristol has to offer! Thankfully Bath and Bristol only stand eleven minutes away from each other by train, so getting from point to point proved to be very convenient indeed! I have a habit of booking a late coach but for my Bristolian experience I took things a little bit far, but I kept everything under control! 

Fresh from my day of Roman discovery in Bath I was ready to hop on the train back to Bristol for an afternoon of sightseeing before my return back to Birmingham. Like I mentioned before I had previously been to Bristol but it was only for the night and I literally went to a party and saw the train station so I wanted to see the city behind that eventful party! I retraced my steps from the moment of I disembarked my Megabus the previous morning to begin my day in the Harbourside city. Ditching the tourist map, I relied on my memory from looking at Bristol from the medium of Google Maps. Captured to the left is Central Promenade, which stands in the heart of Bristol's city center. I was ready for my Bristolian afternoon to begin! You might ask, why on earth I chose to visit Bristol? I say why not?! Location and logistics meant my trip to Bath would be more cost effective and I guessed a day in Bristol would round this trip off quite nicely.

I actually liked the Central Promenade, I could tell that Bristol would serve up tonnes of understated realness! The previous day started off as a whirlwind, hot in my pursuit to reach Bath so I remembered this central point well for its located just a couple steps away from Colston Hall where the Megabus makes its Bristol stop. Bristol had a lot to show me, I recently remembered 2013 in a retrospective blog so I wanted to follow from my travel successes to start 2014 with a new zest for seeking adventure! I really feel quite frustrated at the moment, whilst I'm not stressed out my with University work I just feel very restricted with my budget for my student doesn't even cover my basic student living, I think days out like this will be the key to keep on traveling until I finish my studies and secure a full-time job! Bristol didn't really have that busybody vibe, for the Central Promenade and its people just got on with things in a very calm and collective Bristolian manner!

Adding a royal flare to my afternoon in Bristol I took a stroll from the Central Promenade to Queen Square. I made sure my photo for this section was perfect so in that process I gained a higher appreciation for this part of Bristol's city center. Queen Square reminded me of London's Grosvenor so this side of the city impressed me much! I must add that the weather was absolutely darling that morning, it was slightly chilly but the bright blue winters sky was quite tolerable. The semi-busy Bristolians made their way around Queen Square as this meeting point meets in the middle of Bristol's Harbourside and the Temple Meads Railway Station, so it possibly acts as a convenient path between the provincial spots in Bristol city centre? Once a sort after address Queen Square now acts as center of business as most of properties are now solicitors. I really liked Queen Square it shows that modern Bristol has time for monuments that tell a story from the city's past to keep living to this day.

Dating back to the 1700's Queen Square really does have a story to tell, with the statue of William III is declared as a grade I listed building along with Custom House, which is now a grade II listed building so lots of history still lives within Queen Square today. Bristol has huge shoes to fill for my day in Bath showed me the Roman legacy of yesteryear so I was loving my surroundings during my time in Bristol. I could envision myself strolling across Bristol's Queen Square during the 1700's for that would make me feel so lucky! I did notice a slight spat of development going on but I think it was all in order to regenerate the other side of Queen Square and the surrounding area. I know that I'll be back to Bristol within the next couple of months for I have to experience a nightclub that goes by the name of Capones, I have a whole of set of expectations for that West Country visit! Queen Square you need to stay royal! 

I haste to admit that I never knew such a picturesque sight would greet me in Bristol, not to talk down on this West Country city because I don't want to direct any hate towards Bristol! The Floating Harbour and Harbourside were lovely additions to the fabric of Bristol's city center for I had only seen this side of town on a map. Captured to the left is the Floating Harbour that lies only a heartbeat away from Bristol's Central Promenade within the center of town. As I walked beside the Floating Harbour I was very much enjoying my current surroundings, Bristol is quite brilliant! I noticed that the 200th anniversary of the Floating Harbour is currently being celebrated with displays that explained the mechanisms of this former Bristolian waterworks. Also captured to the left is Brunel's SS. Great Britain, I would have to say that Bristol reminded me of Baltimore for the similarities of the historical sights mixed with the waterfront took me back to a very Good Morning in Baltimore!  
Not to forget that located at the foot of Bristol's Central Promenade is the Harbourside, a vibrant area that brings the waterside, restaurants and the cathedral together as one. The time I spent along the Harbourside may have been brief but I made damn sure I took in all of the sights that stood before me. I could tell that a night out at one of Bristol's Harbourside establishments would be an exciting affair! I did make a brief trip to Bristol's Cathedral to find that it had the look of a mini Notre Dame. I loved this side of Bristol's city center for it showcased an vibrancy that was translated effortlessly. From the Central Promenade to the charms of Queen Square Bristol's credentials shaped up pretty damn fine! The Harbourside and Floating Harbour reminded me of the my time spent along the waterfront in Baltimore, USA so that acted as a lovely reminder! Bristol showed me a lovely afternoon, concluding my whistlestop West Country and Somerset trip with fond memories! 

Bristol! You Haven't Seen The Last Of Me! 

Joseph Harrison