Monday 19 October 2009

Bristol Harbour Festival



Photos are copyright: Maggie May

During the summer holiday, Bristol always has a Harbour Festival when thousands of people come down to the lovely water front and take part in the festivities on offer. Stalls from different European Countries, many visiting small boats as well as staged rescue acts from the helicopter and dingy, sometimes involving dogs who haul people out of the water. All good fun and interesting to see.
The festival went on for a whole weekend and culminated in a grand firework display.


Bristol is very proud of The Matthew that is always moored along our water front. This is a replica of the ship that John Cabot used to cross the Atlantic in 1497 to America. The newer version has visited America and survived the Atlantic but it does have an engine and radio for back up.
One thing that always strikes me is how small this ship is and how tiny it must be in that huge ocean, battling over huge waves with sails puffed out in the wind.

The ship in the picture below is the SS Great Britain. This was the first propellor driven iron ship to ever cross an ocean. She travelled to America and Australia and was later found abandoned in The Falkland Islands, was rescued and brought back to Bristol where she had been launched in the very beginning.
It took years to restore her to her former glory and she is now in dry dock and is a popular ship to visit.
I must admit that I love visiting the water front regularly, but especially during The Harbour Festival when flags are flying everywhere I look.






Watery Wednesday is hosted by 2sweetnsaxy. Look her up for some great photos from all over the world.

21 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Looks like great fun. I little crowded but fun. Thanks for sharing.

Jackie said...

Oh...Maggie May. These are splendid photograhs. The first one...with all the colorful flags...and flowers...and all the ships/boats!! Incredible.
I'm sooo glad you included the history behind the ships....so interesting and fascinating to read. I'm glad I've 'discovered' you....and thank you for a splendi trib to the Brisol Harbour (we would spell it 'harbor' :)) ) Festival. Much love to you from Jackie

Jackie said...

OK....I can't spell worth a 'toot'...but I'm not going to go back and delete the comment....
I'm just going to fill up your comment section this evening with "ME" :))
There are several misspelled words in that comment of mine...but my fingers work faster than my brain. I could 'spellcheck'...but...
Nah...I'm such a lazy girl. I loved all your photographs, Maggie May....and to think they found that ship and brought her home....wonderful!!! I could go on....but... I'd better go!
Another hug from Jackie

Quilt Works said...

Thanks for sharing, a nice peek into your world!


My watery entry, hope you like it too

Dimple said...

Those ships that the explorers used were so tiny, it's amazing they accomplished so much! Thanks for letting us in on the festival and some of the history around it.

tiarastantrums said...

you always have the most interesting posts!!

Anonymous said...

WOW, the Matthew is nothing like I would have expected in size. All the more amazing the journey happened all that time ago. I am stunned!

Suburbia said...

We are lucky to live so close aren't we? I love to visit the docks :)

EJ said...

Would love to witness such kind of activities..

Here's to a Watery Wednesday in the Korean side of the world.

Regina said...

Great watery post!

Nessa said...

Those ships look so fascinating.

Wordless Wednesday - King of the Field

Jinksy said...

Seems like you have the sea in your blood, somewhere ! :)

Unknown said...

Maggie, I swear you have got to live in the best place in the world! There is so much to do and so much to see, and it is just beautiful!!! Unless, that's just your talent coming through! I bet you could make the ugly duckling look pretty.

By the way, I haven't heard a thing on the rats in a while. Is that problem gone?

Eddie Bluelights said...

Hi Sis
Yes it is always a great festival - sadly I missed it this year but I am not to do so next year.
Loved your photos, Maggie, and I can se the appeal from our cousins from across the pond. See you have met the lovely Jackie, a great friend ~ Eddie

Ebie said...

A very informative post! So fun and colorful festival!

SandyCarlson said...

These are amazing and beautiful, Maggie. I so admire the imagination that made ships like these possible.

Wendy said...

Looks like a fun festival! I love any activities that take place at the water. And those ships! They look positively ancient. I can't imagine crossing the ocean in those. People were really brave back then!

karen said...

Looks like a fun festival. I like all the flags.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I, too, enjoy spending days at the waterfront. Water puts me in a good mood whenever I'm near it.

Thanks for visiting and reading my POTW awarded by Hilary at the Smitten Image. Such an honor.

karen said...

Hi Maggie,
Thanks for the visit to Maggie's Secret Garden. I would love to send you a copy of Sendak's book if you so desire....it would be my pleasure! My kids loved this book, and now I'm hoping to introduce it to my grand daughter Norah. Although I must say...I'm the biggest kid of all and still enjoy reading children's books!
giggles :)
xoxox, karen

cheshire wife said...

I have always loved boats and to be by the sea.