Chinese New Year

in Bristol!

We met Grace for brunch after her yoga lesson this morning and then had a chilled early afternoon before going down to the Harbourside.

It was a slow journey as the top end of town was packed for a Bristol Rovers home match. The sun was just starting to go down over the river as we headed to the M shed to see the Wildlife Photographer of the year exhibition. We had chosen to go later as we were staying in town for dinner but we were told that there was a half hour queue for the exhibition and it closed at 5.00.
Plan b - around the corner to the newly renovated Gaol Ferry Steps area where we were attracted by the sound of drums. The Bristol University Chinese Lion Dance Troupe was in action to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
It was very entertaining and the Lion cleverly matched it's movements, including it's eyelids, to the beat of the drum.
Here it had just climbed onto a table and picked up this drinking vessel and previously had 'eaten' some leaves hanging from a ribbon. All symbolic I'm sure. This spontaneous event helped negate our disappointment re seeing the wildlife photography, especially as we had already decided to go back tomorrow morning.

As it turned dark we crossed the water to Millennium Square and went on the Ferris Wheel. A recent addition I think as Grace and John didn't seem to know it was there but I had seen it in one or two recent news events filmed in Bristol.

We finished our day with a meal for Grace's birthday, the main reason for this weekend's visit even though it is actually over a week away.

A super day with much better weather than forecast.
More Chinese celebrations tomorrow when we go for a Dim Sum lunch with John's brother and family and hopefully get to see those award winning photographs!

Happy Chinese New Year everyone