I hope Boris won’t mind that I walked for 3.5 hours today. Thankfully there isn’t the 1 hour exercise time limit like we had in the first lockdown or I would most certainly go a bit bonkers. Today was a very eclectic walk, which, to be honest, perfectly sums up Bristol. We started on the vast green open downs, walked through historical Georgian Clifton, crossed the iconic suspension bridge over to Leigh Woods, walked down to the lower gorge path along the river and circled back via Hotwells past the B bond warehouses that used to store tobacco, up through Cliftonwood and Clifton Village and then back home over the downs. So much to see. I often worry I will run out of things to document or won’t find things that pique my interest but so far that has not been the case. Bristol sure is one interesting city!
Same Same But Slightly Different
Today was just like every other day since full on lockdown kicked in. I went out for a long walk , same direction as usual but ever so slightly off the beaten path. I wonder how many days are left before I run out of fresh things to see, this will be a challenge! I experimented with a new app called ShakeItPhoto to see if it would add an interesting touch to the crappy quality of my daily iphone 8 pics. I’m tempted to haul out my fancy camera and lenses, but, as I walk a lot of miles I don’t know if I can be bothered to carry it :-)
Waking up to grim weather means getting out whatever!
This morning I woke up and did my usual click through of the newspaper headlines. I have a habit of doing a quick scan of ALL of the newspapers because each media outlet has a completely different take on what’s going on and none can really be trusted! This morning headlines were along the lines of “ Boris plans to change the rules so you can only leave the house once a week” or “ this lockdown may go on until March 2025” etc. It really wasn’t a great way to start the day. The only way I’m able to keep my sanity in this lockdown is getting outside and walking… the thought of that being under threat by new draconian restrictions was not very uplifting. The weather today was grey, wet, and cold. However, getting out no matter what is sanity-saving and makes me feel good. I’m generally walking in the same areas each day so my eyes are having to work extra hard to seek out interesting compositions.
Suspension bridge from Hotwells.
Cliftonwood
Walking off the lockdown blues
The police are now cracking down on reasons to be outside your home and getting stricter on driving to beauty spots, so, we decided to go explore the less ‘green’ areas of Bristol. What these areas lack in green spaces they sure make up for in colour!
Lockdown Constitutional
If you’re looking for a sign ……..
Well it sure made me smile 😊
She took me by surprise 😊
Got to love Bristol. It’s full of kooky interesting stuff.
Bristolians get out on the downs no matter what. Sure helps beat the lockdown blues away.
Daily Downs
An early morning walk on the downs before taking my daughter back to Uni … trying to see new things on the same daily walk proves tricky some days 😊
Van life on the downs
Misty morning
Today I gave running a miss due to the fear of slipping on my backside on the very icy paths! However, I took a very long walk across the downs through Clifton village and back home through Redland. There was a misty, romantic, dreamy atmosphere that made me appreciate the dramatic beauty of winter. Having come from Melbourne whose winters were mild and moderate with most of the trees being non deciduous, it’s meant that the skeletal silhouettes of winter trees here is something that I find very mesmerising and beautiful.
Ashton Court Estate
Looking for something new ....Old Sneed Park nature reserve
Today was a first, I did not walk or run on the Downs. I explored Old Sneed Park nature reserve instead. I feel very lucky that there are many interesting directions I can choose to walk in from my home. Now we’re in full lockdown again and non essential drives are out of the question this is very fortunate. I’m a keen explorer so this makes me happy.
Daily Downs
Walking or running in the same place every day whilst trying to take an interesting daily photo really is pushing me. I have to seek out beauty, ugliness, or things of interest which can certainly be a challenge! My main takeaway is that this close observation helps me appreciate my surroundings so much more and brings a sense of positivity. Now we’re back in national lockdown I will not be able to stray too far from home so this challenge may get harder. I will have to get creative!
Getting down on the downs
Since I’ve returned to the UK from Oz I’ve been really triggered by the amount of litter and rubbish I see scattered around. It’s especially painful to see in beauty spots. So, you drive or walk to the Downs to sample it’s beauty then chuck your rubbish at the site you came to admire. What’s up with these people!??
Clifton Downs
What happened here I wonder …?
Avonmouth
Bristol, a very eclectic city.
Clifton ArcaDe
I now own a few kooky things acquired from this very quirky shop :-)
New Years Day
Bristol harbour
AvoNmouth
Beautiful pollution
Winter on Bristol Downs
Never thought I’d enjoy running in winter in the UK, but, it has its own beauty and is quite bracing! 😊
