Bristol, Bath and Beyond.

Last weekend we took a train to Bristol to visit James' sister Becki, who was so nice to host us for a few days. I had been to Bristol once before to see Bonobo (my very favorite artist in the whole world) but since I can't seem to organise anything properly, I managed to book a hotel so far away from the town centre we never really saw much of Bristol itself. I was so exited because Bristol is told to be the new London - where all of the young, edgy people go to.

We got there and went for lunch in one of those eccentric tea rooms called The Cox and Baloney. None of the furniture matched, there was lots of various stuff stuck on the walls, all of the teacups were different and there was a wonky staircase taking you to the the "party and snug room". I absolutely loved it, all of it together looked like I was stepping into a scene from Alice in the Wonderland. We had some amazing food and ice tea, then continued to wander the streets to go to a pub. All of the buildings on our way were covered in the most amazing graffiti and artwork, hiding cute little independent shops and restaurants in them.

First thing we see walking in this massive courtyard of a pub called The Full Moon and Attic, is around 50 completely naked men just casually strolling around the beer garden. It was Bristol Naked Bike Ride, which is a peaceful, powerful demonstration against car culture and oil-dependency in Bristol. I found it hilarious, we didn't know where to look, there were just too many naked people everywhere...

Same night we had such a good night out discovering so many various pubs, bars and clubs of Bristol. I personally thought all of the bars on the boats along the river were great fun, also this old pub with the most funky old country music band called Flash Harry was just incredible. Everyone were dancing and singing along, I had never seen anything like this. Check them out on Youtube, it's worth it! Nightlife in Bristol is wonderful, everyone is out on the streets, there's countless places to go to, the atmosphere is so lively and we even decided that we want to move there so it's quite something.

Next morning we woke up to sun shining in our window and Beckis' rabbit Luna sniffing around the sheets. We went to the beach to have a little barbeque, but got lost in our way and ended up in Wales. Now I can say I've been there too. We had a lovely lunch on the beach, then drove up to Clifton, which is a very nice area situated next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge. We had drinks in a pub with a beautiful view, dinner at the nicest Thai restaurant and then went back to have an early night.

We decided to stay another day to go visit Bath, it's just 40 minutes drive away. Bath is such a beautiful city with its Georgian archidecture, Roman baths and lots of pretty parks. We walked around the town, had lunch by the river and went to one of those old sweet shops, where we actually witnessed the most sour candy in the world.

I am here now sunbathing writing this post and tomorrow morning I will fly back home for a week to see my family, go to the BBQ festival and quite possibly the Estonian Blogger Awards. X

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Eelmine nädalavahetus sõitsime Bristolisse, kus elab Jamesi õde Becki. Mina olen korra varem Bristolis käinud, et näha Bonobo-t (minu absoluutne lemmik artist), aga kuna mina ju ei saa hakkama millegi organiseerimisega, suutsin ma bookida hotelli linna teises otsas ja tegelikku Bristolit me ei näinudki. Olin väga põnevil, sest paljud ütlevad, et Bristol on nagu uus London, kuhu kõik noored inimesed elama asuvad, lihtsalt odavama rendi ja ägedamate kohtadega.

Kui sinna jõudsime, tuli Becki meile vastu ja läksime lõunat sööma ühte armsasse kohvikusse The Cox and Baloney Tea Rooms. See meenutas mulle natukene Manna La Roosat Tallinnas. Mitte ükski mööbliese kokku ei sobinud, erinevid esemeid rippus laest, seinad olid kaetud erinevate mustrite ja joonistustega, ning igal laual asetsesid erinevad teetassid. NIi kohutavalt armas ja eriline - sõime lõunat ja jõime teed ning liikusime edasi ühte pubisse. Kõndides läbi Bristoli, märkab majadel kõige imelisemat kunsti ja graffitit, ka Banksy oli Bristolist pärit, seega nägime ka tema kuulsamaid töid. Terve see linn on nagu hiiglasuur Kalamaja piirkond, armsad poed, kohvikud, restoranid ja ulmelised kohad iga nurga peal.

Kõndisime siis sisse suurde hoovi, mis ühendab kolme erinevat pubi üheks, selline communal area. Märkan esimese asjana kolme täiesti paljast vana meest sissepääsu ees laulmas. Lõpuks saime teada, et käimas on Bristoli alasti rattasõit, mis toimub iga aasta ja on selline rahulik protest/demonstratsioon autokultuuri vastu. Nii nad seal siis hängisid, umbes 50 alasti protesteerijat, ei teadnudki nagu kuhu vaadata.

Samal õhtul külastasime mitmeid erinevaid pubisi, baare ja klubisi. Nii kihvtit olid jõe peal asetsevad baarid paatide peal. Mulle meeldis eriti selline vana pubi, kus esines selline Iiri kantrimuusika bänd Flash Harry, no nad olid nii ägedad, kõik tantsisid ja laulsid kaasa, soovitan nad Youtubest üles otsida! ööelu Bristolis on nii kihvt, iga nurga peal on mingi arusaamatu segasummasuvila klubi/baar, inimesed on tänavate peal laulavad ja tantsivad, atmosfäär on super. Me isegi mõtlesime Bristolisse kolimise peale, nii et see on ikka päris eriline.

Järgmine hommik ärkasime üles selle peale, et hiiglasuur jänes Luna sebis linade vahel ja istus mul näos kui silmad avasin. Kuna ilm oli nii ilus, oli meil plaanis koeraga randa minna ja väikese grilli teha. Läksime mingit moodi aga valet teed pidi ja lõpetasime hoopis Walesis, nüüd saan öelda et olen seal ka käinud. Põletasin küll oma selja jubedalt ära aga väga mõnus lõuna oli. Sõitsime siis Cliftonisse, mis on rohkem selline eliit-piirkond, enamus majadest on lihtsalt lossid ja kõik on nii ilus. Istusime maha ühes baaris vaatega Clifton Suspension Bridge-le, sõime õhtust ühes ägedad Tai restoranis ning läksime vara koju, sest olime nii väsinud eelmisest õhtust.

Otsustasime jääda ka esmaspäevaks, kuna tahtsime sõita Bathi. Ka seal polnud ma kunagi käinud ja see oli vaid 40 minuti kaugusel. Jube kaunis on see linn oma Gruusia arhitektuuriga, ilusate parkide ja Rooma vannidega. Kõndisime ringi, sõime lõunat jõe ääres, külastasime ühte armsat vana kommipoodi, kus sattusin maailma kõige hapumate kommide otsa ning sõitsime tagasi koju.

Istun nüüd siin võttes päikest ja seda postitust kirjutades, juba homme hommikul sõidan tagasi Eestisse nädalaks ajaks, et näha pere, minna Grillfestile otseloomulikult ja ka Eesti Blogiauhindade jagamisele. X