Day 28: Bristol
Welcome
Yesterday we left the cottonopolis of Manchester for the ceremonial county of Bristol.
I began my morning with a walk in search of food which thankfully is plentiful in Manchester. This city is home to some striking architecture and impressive feats of engineering, from the Deansgate Square Skyscraper Cluster, to the intricate Victorian stylings of the Deansgate Rail Bridges, to the powerful bulk of the Jury’s Inn which looms over Rochdale Canal. All of these great sights only enhanced my hunger so I purchased myself a mozzarella and tomato bagel from a nearby café.
The Deansgate Square Skyscraper Cluster.
The Victoria Era rail bridge on the western approach to Deansgate Station.
Rochdale Canal.
Our destination was the city of Bristol in the southwest of England, a historically important trade port and manufacturing centre. We made our approach on the M5 and then at the last moment diverted to the west of the city so we could traverse the Avon Gorge on the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, the structure that since 1864 has linked Bristol with Leigh Woods.
The bridge has a main span of 214 metres and soars 75 meters above the high water of the river Avon providing plenty of clearance for the passage of high masted warships to Bristol Harbour. The design features two 26 metre stone towers that are topped by roller-mounted saddles to allow for movement of the wrought-iron chains that hang across the valley. There are three chains per side and from these the bridge deck is suspended by 81 vertical wrought-iron rods.
After much trepidation we made the crossing and arrived safely in Bristol heading to our venue in the central district of Redcliffe. The Fleece is a legendary live music venue that has been open since 1982. It is housed in Bristol’s wool hall, a stone building built in 1834 to house the city’s wool trade which it did for four years until the realisation that it was too far away from the farmers market. The show at The Fleece was a great success with another gracious audience who were very happy to end a string of postponements.
Showing his keen eye for detail Tristan assembles the merch display at The Fleece.
Warming up in a cold green room.
Cherym playing yet another brilliant set.
