Quirky.

Bristol is a city you grow to love. Some areas are pretty (like Clifton) but mostly it is quirky and full of character.

We set off walking down Gloucester Rd for brunch at Boston Tea Party. ( A relatively new one at the top of Glous.Rd which we have been to a couple of times before) A crisp cold morning and lots of people had the same idea. It's very popular with young families as they provide a play area and colouring sheets but they also do great food.
The picture on the left shows some of the booths created by using old doors. This was as we left when it had quiet ended down a bit. I couldn't resist the little dog looking at me!

Well fed we girls hit the shops (John had gone mountain biking in Wales). Again the shops are lovely, quirky and arty. I spent most of my money on interesting birthday cards. Grace was looking for presents to send to a friend in America. She also bought three lots of fabric, one lot was Liberty lawn which I was allowed to choose as she is making me a kimono wrap with it for my birthday.

It started raining whilst we were in there so we dashed to another Boston Tea Party at Montpellier for tea and cake ( it was 3.00 pm! )
Luckily the rain stopped and we continued down to Stokes Croft or as it is known locally 'the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft'!

We went in the little pottery shop where they use old patterns on plain white pots and label most of them with the name Bristol. Usually they are blue roses and can be bought all over the city. The teapot here has Stokes Croft witten on it and 'Boycott Tesco's as the local community recently vehemently opposed a Tesco store in the area. The lady was telling us all the history of maintaining this area for independent shops and businesses and she told us that Gloucester Road was the longest street of independent shops in Europe!

I don't like all the street art in Bristol but you can't deny it's noticeable. The bottom right picture is painted is on the gable of a building as you enter Stokes Croft.

Into the city centre then to catch a bus to the station. My short visit over, but we will be back in two weeks for an early celebration of Grace's birthday and the Chinese New Year, with Dim Sum! That's another great quirky thing about Bristol, lots of nationalities and food from all over the world! Can't wait!