Brighton Pier

The weather is still bad, not the best time to go down to the pier. So I'm on the other side of the road with the pier behind me. It is still known by lots of people as Palace Pier even though the sign above the entrance says 'Brighton Pier'. The West Pier was Palace Piers' rival but after a series of fires (nothing to do with me!) there isn't much of it left.

The construction of Palace Pier began in 1891. It opened in May 1899. The pier has is popular with film makers. It has been in a number of films and TV programmes including Carry On At Your Convenience, Dr Who, Sweeney Todd and Midsomer Murders. That reminds me, it's about time I was in Midsomer Murders. Death by dragon must be the only method of killing someone they haven't used.

Brighton Wheel

My first visit to Brighton. Weather wasn't too good. Despite the weather I went for a walk along the seafront and found this big wheel. It's just to the east of Brighton Pier. The wheel is quite big and you can see into peoples houses, I think you are supposed to look out to sea and along the coast though. As it's 160' above sea level you can see a long way. It was built in Germany and was set up in South Africa before coming to Brighton, I suppose they just roll it along with a giant stick. I rather like it, though lots of people objected as it's in a conservation area. It looks rather jolly to me and suits the seaside. If the weather was better I would have gone for a fly over the top of it and looked at the people going round.

Christmas Steps Bristol

During my visit to Bristol I went to Christmas Steps. This is a steep narrow street just outside the city walls. It's a very old street and originally the river would have been close to the bottom of the hill. Barrels were rolled down the hill to be loaded onto ships. The steps were put in place in 1669, which will have put a stop to rolling barrels. Where the name 'Christmas Steps' came from nobody knows, it used to be known as 'Queene Street' in Medieval days. Then it became 'Knifesmyth Street' after the trade in the area, I think that means people made swords and knives there. Years ago it was full of pubs. At the bottom is a very old building dating back to 13th C and in it is a very old fish and chip shop, supposedly one of the first to open in England.

Near the bottom of Christmas Steps I met this man and his horse. I told him how to get to the top of the steps without going up the steps themselves. His horse wasn't keen on climbing the steps.

William Tyndale

After chatting with Cary Grant I saw William Tyndale. Tyndale is famous for translating the Bible into English. This was forbidden at the time so he had to go into hiding. He was writing as English was changing from Middle English to Early Modern English. He created new words and coined a lot of phrases still in use. He came up with "under the sun", "signs of the time", "pour out one's heart" and "Go the extra mile". With out him it looks like song writers and management consultants would be stuck for things to say. In this photo he was telling me he is working on a new translation of the Bible. I asked about any dragons, maybe for a Welsh language version. I'm not sure he speaks Welsh. I had to be careful with breathing out fire when I was with him though. Aside from setting fire to his book he seemed a bit scared of flames. Can't think why.

Cary Grant

When not being swamped by Gromits I got a chance to meet Cary Grant. He's originally from Bristol. Though his real name's Archibald Leach. I suppose Archibald isn't really an actors name. I can't think of any actors called Archibald. It is Captain Haddocks first name, not sure if he counts as an actor though. In his hand you can see the script I gave him. It's about a good looking, funny, sophisticated, suave and charming dragon. I would play the lead and he would have a supporting role. He said he would think about it, so I mentioned when I met Humphrey Bogart in Bruges. He got a bit more interested then.

Gromit Unleashed Bristol - Last Two

Outside St Mary Redcliffe for this Gromit. The oldest part of this church dates back to 1185. The rest of it was built over a period of a couple of hundred years. In 1446 the spire was struck by lightning and fell, damaging the interior of the church. The spire was rebuilt in 1872 to a height of 292', making it one of the tallest in the country.

Not far from St Mary Redcliffe, outside a hotel, is another Gromit. This Gromit is called 'Blazing Saddles'. Designed by a local illustrator and designer Carys-ink. Not that's her real name. I suppose I should have sat in the saddle as one is there but I went for the little cowboy hat instead.

Unleashed Gromit Roaming Bristol

On board The Matthew. This is a replica of of the ship John Cabot sailed in when he discovered Newfoundland in 1497. This makes him the first European to reach North America, after the Vikings. He had set sail to find a new trade route to Asia for Henry VII. He was rewarded by Henry with £10 - a lot more money than than now. He set off again with five ships in 1498 and was never heard of again. Though some people think he did make it back to England.

This replica was built in during the 1990's to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Cabots voyage. She sailed under the Clifton Suspension bridge in 1996 having taken two years to build. She is 78' long and 20' 6" in the beam. The keel is 48' and this has to be made from one piece of wood. As there were no English Oaks available at this length African hardwood was used for the replica. At the waterline she is 62' long. She is moored in Bristol harbour and is open to visitors and she makes regular trips.

Now to Thunderbolt Square. This is a new square and was built as of the restoration of Queens Square. The council got the name from Thunderbolt Street. A street on an old map of Bristol and said to be the shortest street in Bristol.