Summary of Bristol Exploration
I slept soundly on Saturday night in beautiful Bristol.
Following a delectable meal from the previous evening and the remarkable accommodations, I almost immediately fell asleep upon entering my hotel room.
There is something immensely rejuvenating about obtaining a restful night’s sleep that is truly irreplaceable.
1. Comfortable Hotel Stay
Sunday morning arrived, signaling a return to London; however, I still had several hours before departure.
2. Visiting the Bristol Cathedral
I chose to visit the Bristol Cathedral, a landmark I had been admiring for several days and eagerly Instagrammed about. Unfortunately, I had not been able to enter as it was occupied on Friday for university graduations and on Saturday for various services. Sunday, however, presented a perfect opportunity, and unlike some cathedrals in London, there was no admission fee, so I proceeded in.
The following photos capture the experience (N.B.: The interior of this cathedral is remarkably intricate and stunning; it was almost amusing to observe the awe on the faces of every visitor entering).
3. Exploring the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
Exiting the cathedral, I noted that the harbour festival remained in full swing. While I was tempted to simply relax in the sun and observe the performance, a more compelling urge beckoned— I had heard tales of the remarkable dinosaurs exhibited at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and was keen to see them in person.
I have always been captivated by dinosaurs, and the museum housed some impressively preserved skeletons alongside illustrations depicting their appearance. Thus, I headed there directly.
4. Indulging in Local Cuisine
During my journey to the museum, I was pleasantly diverted by a vintage shop named Love From Random (unfortunately, they do not have a website to link to). I unexpectedly spent more time there than I anticipated.
While browsing, I discovered two items I was particularly interested in— a surfer troll and a set of Homepride salt and pepper shakers— as well as a vintage camera in relatively good condition. Although I lacked the knowledge to operate such a camera, akin to my vintage typewriter, I felt compelled to acquire it.
Unfortunately, there was no price tag, and the shopkeeper attempted to contact the owner with no success, resulting in my departure empty-handed. Nonetheless, I received a call while at the museum informing me that the owner had provided a price— £15! I dropped everything and rushed back to purchase it! Now, I proudly own this rather antiquated non-functional camera! 🙂
With little time left before needing to catch my train back to London, I spotted a Jamie Oliver restaurant. Given that it had been nearly seven years since my last visit, I decided to drop in.
A word of caution: I was never particularly taken by these establishments in the past, hence my lengthy absence, but I was famished, and it was conveniently located.
Upon entering, one particular aspect immediately caught my attention— the décor.
I felt a deep sense of connection right away, though I cannot quite articulate the precise quality that evoked such familiarity.
To begin, I opted for the pork scratchings. While I typically do not favor pork scratchings, I strangely enjoy the combination of chewy and crunchy textures.
For reasons I cannot fully comprehend, I chose them. In any case, these were quite satisfactory, especially with the accompanying salsa dip. Although not my ideal selection, they were excellent for those who appreciate pork scratching.
The camera I purchased is depicted below! 🙂
Returning to London, I cannot express how truly relaxed and satisfied I was with the choice to embark on this spontaneous weekend getaway.
Having witnessed sights I longed to see, immersed myself in the festival atmosphere, indulged in exquisite culinary delights, and explored the city of Bristol in greater depth than I would have otherwise, I left with fond memories.
