Bristol (Day 2 - late afternoon) - Along the Lewins Mead into the Harbourside area and around the city centre - The 16th of January 2015

We walked along Lewins Mead and right beside the Hotel au Vin we came across a statue representing the cloaked horseman, which I found to be appealing (something in the cloakman's look, as well as his horse's cauhgt my attention). Less interesting though, despite having been mentioned to us at the Tourist office for its historic importance, were the Christmas steps which were to be found slightly behind.

We turned onto the Watershead on our way to the Tourist office to confirm the possibility of doing a Banksy Art tour the following day, which we were unfortunate not to be able to participate on as there were no more places available. The E-shed where the Tourist office is located is lined by cafes and shops providing a rather pleasant view over the floating harbour.

 

Before heading back to the City Centre we stoped at he hotel briefly and on its way photographed the statue of a beetle  that stood between the Bristol Aquarium and the At-Bristol Science Centre, which I had been looking at from a distance since the day before (I am not particularly keen on insects ...).

Having stopped at a Bookshop (they literally abound in England compared to other countries) we then headed towards St. Nicholas Markets, within the enclosed premises of St. Nicks buildings. We simply loved strolling around the  amalgamous array of gifts, handcrafted and vintage clothes and rather unique pieces of jewellery. We ended up buying two Nepalese garments, which I am sure will catch people's eye due to their originality.

 

Bristol (Day 2 - afternoon) - Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill and Street Art in the Stokes Croft area - The 16th of January 2015

We decided to walk up towards the Brandon Hill, so as to get a bird eye's view over the city and see the Cabot Tower before heading to the "culturally artistic" area of Stokes Croft.

It started getting a bit colder but the weather was nevertheless pleasant and particularly good for photographing. We walked around for a while but didn't climb up the Tower, bearing the name of the one who is said to have discovered the New Foundland  having walked down to the City Promenade where we got on a bus to take us farther afield.

An "observation" on the part of the bus driver didn't turn into an argument because I was still feeling "green" and decided to overlook it ... and it's well I didn't because no more than four stops ahead we were out in Stokes Croft, which didn't initially look like what I had expected.

 

 

Street Art has been given some credit in the last years and the reality is that among many of the wall covered paintings some do look very creative and particularly artistic. We came across quite a few of those as we walked down towards where we had come from (or slightly closer) and I am glad we decided to "venture" into this Art oriented area.

Many don't need to be commented on yet others because of the story behing them may be "valued" if it is unveiled, the case being the one to be seen underneath on the left which is said to have been painted to announce an organised protest to stop the new proposed Tesco in the area.

We came across a well known "canteen" on whose outside esplanade one could see one of the "iconic" images of Bristol, the first piece of Street Art in the area - Mild Mild West by Banksy, who is said to have painted it with the building owner - the tongue-in cheek joke at the people of the West country being more Mild Mild West than Wild Wild West, reflecting what can happen when people are antagonised.

Painted by Colombian street artist Stinkfish.

 

 

 

Painted in memory of Shivon Watson, who died recently (right).

As we left the area and walked into St. James Park we still came across some fairly interesting artistic pieces and some murals painted on one of its tunnels.

I felt it was quite an interesting afternoon, despite being totally different from what we had seen until then - the cohabitation of street Art and old architecture.