A Stroll Along the Waterfront

Photos copyright: Maggie May

On Friday I felt a bit in need of a walk so Harry and I decided to go to visit our lovely waterfront, just off the city centre. It was not particularly warm when we got there and I realised that it might have been better to wear a hat rather than a bit of net with rats' tails false hair all over it as my wig isn't very warm. However, too late for that so I had to grin and bear it.

We had got that far by bus and it didn't seem as chilly when we set off.

We started walking from the centre and noticed all the little boats moored in groups and I must confess that I was looking for one named Maggie May so that I could snap it and pretend it was mine but not even a Maggie of any description could be found. However, there was one called Isabella May........ a bit remote.

Not much to look at.

We walked as far as we could possibly go and this is the view at the end of the walkway towards the right showing a very old shell of a building waiting to be renovated right next to modern flats that must cost the earth to buy or rent.

In the underneath photo, on the lefthand side of the water, is Bristol's beloved Matthew. The reproduction of a tiny ship that bravely sailed across the Atlantic Ocean looking for a new land and don't forget the majority of people then, thought the world was flat.

I believe this replica has sailed across the Atlantic but the original was sailed by John Cabot in 1497 and he probably sailed to Newfoundland and that was without emergency engines and a radio that the replica had fitted for safety reasons.

If I am deemed fit on Monday when I have my pre-assessment, I will be having chemo 5 on Tuesday. However this can all change right until the last moment. Can't really tell until the day comes.

It seems all my blood tests were satisfactory this time round, so chemo 5 is to start tomorrow morning.

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.