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.

Unleashed Gromits Still in Bristol

A few Gromits are in the shopping centres. This is in the new Cabot Cove, oh sorry Cabot Circus, shopping centre. It's quite large and connects with another shopping centre. I say new but its been open five years now. I did look for Jessica Fletcher but I couldn't find her. Probably busy investigating the death of yet another nephew or cousin, not enough time for shopping.

Back over in the harbour area now. I'm by Arnolfini which is an arts centre in an old tea warehouse. It has all manner of things going on here - art exhibitions, music, dance and poetry readings. On the plus side it has a cafe bar that serves wine! There is water on three sides at this point and a swing bridge to get to the other side of the harbour. On the other side of the harbour are four old cranes, at least one still works, and the Pyronaut, a fireboat. She was built in 1934 and retired in 1972. She was sold with plans to convert it to a diving boat, which never went ahead, and sold again with plans to move her to Ireland. This didn't happen either and she got sold to Bristol City Museum where she was restored. She travelled to London in 2012 to take part in the Queens Jubilee Pageant. Though she went by road.

Gromit Still Unleashed in Bristol

Not far from Cascade Steps is this Gromit. He is dressed as a super hero. He still can't fly though, unlike me, as you need wings, not a cape or a leotard. Otherwise the sky would be full of people going to their latest keep fit craze. Which wouldn't be nice for me and my fellow dragons.

Over to St Nicholas Market now. There has been a market here since 1743. The building Gromit is in is the Corn Exchange. Not that it was ever used exclusively as a corn exchange. It was used by all different types of merchants. Initially it didn't have a roof over the internal courtyard as the traders weren't used to trading indoors. Around 100 years later they changed their minds and a roof was put on. It's the last surviving exchange building from the 18th C as the other two, in Liverpool and London, burnt down. There's a market here and in the surrounding streets every day.

Gromit Unleashed Bristol - Again

More of Gromit having his photograph with me. This is in a new development near Millennium Square. Lots and lots of new flats being built and a bit off the beaten track, so very quiet round this Gromit.

Here we are by the Cascade Steps. The Cascade Steps being a series of steps with water running down them at the city centre arm of the floating harbour. Where we are standing covers the River Frome. The floating harbour was constructed in the 19th century to increase the docks capacity as Liverpool was attracting more trade. It created a stable water level by creating locks to the River Avon, which has a high tidal range. It cost more than expected - nothing changes. The docks fell in to disuse in the 20th C. There was even a plan to fill in part of it and build a road in the 60's. Luckily things went badly for the council, despite getting a bill through parliament, and the docks were saved. The area is still being redeveloped but what has been done makes it a very nice palace to go for a walk and have a drink.

Gromit Unleashed Bristol

More from Gromit Unleashed in Bristol. I'm in King Street for this photo. Gromit is just by the Llandoger Trow, a very old pub. A Trow was a flat bottom barge, Llandogo is a village 20 miles away in South Wales. It's said this pub is where Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe. It also appears as The Admiral Benbow in Treasure Island.

This Gromit is in Queens Square. Being largely red it was a bit difficult to photograph him with me. The statue behind is William III, he has been there since 1736. In 1937 the council decided to put a dual carriageway through the centre of the square and moved William III as a result. It took until the 1980's before they realised it was a silly idea and plans were made to restore the square. In the 1990's the dual carriageway was closed and the restoration of the square began. It's now a very nice place.

Gromit Trail in Bristol

I'm in Bristol and looking at Gromits. To raise money for charity there are 80 Gromits around Bristol, though one is in London. There is a map showing the location of each one on the trail. Each Gromit has been decorated by an artist and will be auctioned when the exhibition is over.

I didn't see all 80 Gromits. These are the first two photo's of Gromits with me.

Scottish Parliament Building

Here I am outside the Scottish Parliament Building. It's opposite the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Salisbury Crags. It was designed by Enric Miralles from Spain. It uses granite from China, I'm sure there is granite in Scotland. It is described as innovative, drawing inspiration from the surrounding landscape, paintings of flowers and upturned boats. I don't see that at all. It was completed three years late and cost ten times more than it was supposed to.

I don't like it. It looks a mess. It's not as nice as the Welsh Senedd. It needs a few dragons outside, big ones so you can't see the building.

Arthur's Seat

At the bottom of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queens official residence in Scotland. Alongside the palace is Holyrood Park, a huge park with hills and lochs. The highest of the hills is Arthur's Seat at 823 feet. There are a number of different routes you can walk to get to the top, or fly if you are a dragon. I went along the route that takes you past Salisbury Crags. These are 150 foot tall cliffs of basalt. This photograph was taken after I passed most of the crags. The walk gives great views over Edinburgh. It's a very popular park so you aren't likely to be by yourself at any point. It was a nice sunny day, but a bit cold, which meant the views were clear. It can be a bit cloudy round here so the view can be of clouds.

Robert Fergusson in Edinburgh

Not far from David Hume, just outside the Canongate Kirkyard, I came across Robert Fergusson the poet. He isn't as famous as Robert Burns, but didn't seem bothered by this. His poems are in English and Scot's dialect, like Burns. As Burns is thought to have used at least one of Fergusson's poems as inspiration I suggested he return the compliment. Instead of a 'Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie' he write a poem about a 'Wee brave goch dragon'. Not sure he is going to do it though. He didn't like using Scots and Welsh in the first line, I thought he was being picky. I then suggested he tried a poem with the line 'Great chieftain of the Dragon Race'. He didn't like that either for some reason.

David Hume in Edinburgh

Outside Edinburgh High Court on the High Street I met David Hume the philosopher. He must spend a lot of time there as he had his own chair. We had an interesting chat, as a philosopher, rationalist and a leading light in the enlightenment that's to be expected. He wasn't too bad either. I'm not sure how his rationalism coped with chatting with a red dragon, I suspect he isn't going to mention it to many people. He might prefer it to the fact that people rub his big toe for luck.

Edinburgh Castle II

I've walked round to the front of Edinburgh Castle. It's quite long climb for my little legs. The castle is built on a volcanic plug in the middle of Edinburgh. Three sides are cliffs so I've walked up the non-cliff side. Parts of the castle were built in the 12th C with bits being added over the next few hundred years. It changed hands a few times when England and Scotland were fighting. Oliver Cromwell captured it in 1650 after a three month siege. Unusually for him he didn't destroy it. It is now a nice big castle with views for miles around and includes a museum with lots of tourists visiting it. It isn't as nice as my Castell Coch though.

Edinburgh

I'm in Edinburgh. It's early morning and cold. Dropped the luggage off at the hotel, way too early for check-in, hotel isn't far from station. Having a wander round while it's quiet out. Walked along Princes Street, shops closed so no crowds. Found somewhere to have a coffee and croissant to warm up before continuing walk. Found this view of Edinburgh Castle, thought it was a good place to have my photograph taken. Now going to walk round to the castle entrance.

Night Train to Edinburgh

I'm on my way to Edinburgh for the weekend. Taking the night train to Edinburgh (no not a lesser known Madness follow up). It's a rather nice way to travel. I've ordered breakfast. I've been in the bar carriage and had something to eat and drink. Now it's bed time. I've got the bottom bunk. time for a nice sleep as the train makes it's way north. The guard will wake me up with a tea and a bite to eat as we sit outside Edinburgh. Then it's a full day in town on the first day all refreshed after a sleep, rather than only having a few hours and somewhat tired if I travelled up later, it's quite a long way between London and Edinburgh.

Monmouth

I've travelled from Newport to Monmouth. It's a short distance between the two. Monmouth is two miles from the border with England and sits on the rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy. It is the birthplace of Henry V.

A Roman Fort called Blestium was built in the area. The Normans built a castle here soon after the conquest of England. Monmouth Castle changed hands three times during the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell visited in 1646 and ordered the castles destruction, he did a lot of that. so there isn't much of the castle left. Behind me is the Monnow Bridge. It is the only remaining mediaeval fortified bridge in the UK.

Monmouthshire Canal

Still in Newport. I'm at a lock on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The bit in Newport was originally the Monmouthshire Canal linking Newport to Pontnewynydd for transporting coal and iron to Newport. It was started in 1792 and opened in 1796. Later it was joined to another canal network and became the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Over the years bits of the canal network were closed with it finally being abandoned in 1962 when it was felt nobody would ever use it again. Two years later restoration started on part of it. The section in Newport was made a conservation area in 1998. Work has started on restoring it, this included demolishing and rebuilding the Bettws Lane Bridge. This had been built after the canal had been closed so was too low to allow boats to pass. It's really quite nice to walk along, lots of tasty looking ducks and its easy to forget you're in a city and not far from the M4.

Newport Transporter Bridge

This is Newport Transporter Bridge. It crosses the river Usk. There are only two other bridges of this type in the UK. Vehicles, or pedestrians, are carried across the river on the gondola suspended from the metal span above. Pedestrians can walk over the river using the span and a long climb either side; dragons can just fly across. It was built in 1906.

Because the river banks are low a normal bridge wouldn't have space for ships to pass under, which isn't very good for a city with docks. A ferry couldn't be used as at low tide it couldn't reach the banks - the Usk has a high tidal range

Small Bar of Belgian Chocolate

Now I like chocolate. I had been told that in Belgium I could get really large bars of chocolate. So I was really looking forward to getting a huge amount of chocolate. I'm so disappointed, this is the largest bar I could find - it's tiny! I flew up and down the streets of Bruges looking for a huge bar of lovely chocolate and this was the largest I could find. It's only four times bigger than me. It was very nice though.

Pigs in Bruges

I met a couple of happy pigs in Bruges. They were always smiling. It was great fun wandering around Bruges with these two. The added benefit was I could eat them when I got bored with them. They were made from chocolate. Though I didn't know that until I bit one.

Beer With a Wooden Handle

I found a nice bar in Bruges. It has a huge selection of beers. I did try a few, just a taste of each of course. They are often strong and sometimes very strong and each comes in a different type of glass. Some beers are brewed by monks others are made by small breweries that have been going for a very long time. This beer is a bit different. I chose it because I thought it was brewed by ducks, but it isn't. Kwak isn't to do with ducks, apparently its named after a pub owner. The glass for this one has a rounded bottom so has to sit in a wooden stand with a handle. It was a bit difficult to drink from as it has that big bulb full of beer at the bottom and it can come rushing out at you. So I settled for sitting on the edge of the glass and lapping it up with my tongue, dragons have very long tongues. It was nice.

Windmills in Bruges

Finding lots to do in Bruges. To the east are four windmills. They are on top of an embankment by the canal. One of the old city gates is nearby. There used to be over twenty windmills around Bruges. Two of the windmills open to the public at certain times, they weren't open when I was there - not even for dragons! The four left are different colours. I thought I'd have my photograph taken with this one. I like red.

Dragons in Bruges

There are quite a lot of dragons around Bruges. They are a bit strange, they aren't red! Here is an enterprising pair. They carry a bench between them and offer rides over Bruges. I had a short trip them, dragons don't pay. It was quite nice to get a view without using my own wings. They are quite slim for dragons so must get lots of exercise flying bench loads of people around.

Dinner Time

There's lots of good places to eat and drink in Bruges. This a nice comfy bar with table service and lots of nice drink to choose from. So I can sit in a big comfy chair, look through the menu and wine list and rest my wings. I would put my feet up but my legs are too short for this chair. After this refreshment break I'll continue my tour.

Humprey Bogart in Bruges

I bumped into Humphrey Bogart and his pet chicken in a back street. Must be a very tame chicken as it wasn't on a lead. We had a nice long chat about his films. I suggested a remake of 'The Maltese Falcon'. It would be re-named as 'The Welsh Dragon' and I would play the lead role. He didn't seem that keen on it for some reason.

Swan Ride in Bruges

Wandering around Bruges I found this swan ride. The swan is a symbol of Bruges and its a nice touch to have one for a dragon only ride. You get a running commentary from the Swan as you fly over the sights. I don't know what the letters and numbers above are, maybe it was the old Belgian Franc price.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

I bumped into the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in Bruges. I hadn't seen them for ages so we stopped for a chat. This is Famine (though the horse prefers to be called Brenda and the rider is Eric). I asked Brenda about her coat as its usually a lovely rich black. She said that the weather had been terrible and all the mud was making it difficult to keep clean. I think Deaths horse, Hilda, looked better for being dirty as green just isn't nice on a horse. Bruges isn't the best place for Brenda and Eric as it's got far too many places to eat, nobody takes them seriously when there are chocolate shops on every street. You can see Eric has just spotted another mobile waffle seller, he isn't happy.

Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower in the Market Square. It was built around 1240 and burnt down in 1280. It was rebuilt and in 1487 a wooden spire was added. That burnt down in 1493. The wooden spire was rebuilt. This time it lasted to 1741, when it burnt down again. I better be careful with my fire!
Originally it housed the city treasury and archives. When it burnt down the archives went with it. It's 83 metres tall and contains 47 bells which play tunes.

Well in Bruges

Wandering around I found this old well. It must be special as there is a lion guarding it. He was nice enough but he wouldn't let me lift the cover. I suspect he keeps his food there and didn't want me eating his lunch.

Bruges

Here I am in Bruges. The train from Brussels was nice, a double decker and I sat upstairs to get a nice view. It rained very heavily when I got here, the road behind me is flooded! or it may be a canal, it was difficult to tell at times. What I've seen so far is very pretty. Lots of horses, chocolate and water. The buildings are nice as well, different to the UK. I'm here for quite a while so should be able to see lots of it.

Eurostar

I'm off to Bruge in Belgium. Never been before and I am looking forward to it. Sitting on the train at St. Pancras station ready for the off. Have to change trains at Brussels South (or Zuid or Midi all very confusing). We're through the tunnel and into northern France now. It isn't s nice as Wales, I haven't seen a single mountain yet. It's nice sitting in a comfortable train, sipping wine watching the countryside whiz past. Though I'm not sure the French would approve of the Australian wine.

Blaenavon

I'm in Blaenavon in south east Wales. The town grew up around a large ironworks, which open in 1789, and is now a world heritage site for its industrial landscape. I'm standing on top of the water balance tower. This used a water displacement lift to carry the iron up to a railway. The railway carried the iron across the mountains to a canal where it was transported to Newport for export around the world. The iron works includes cottages and a company shop. The cottages were used by the BBC for a reality show 'Coal House'. Three families were moved into cottages made up to be 1927 coal mining family homes. Blaenavon was also the site of a Time Team dig. They were looking for a railway viaduct which used horse drawn carriages to carry coal from the mines and was built in 1790. They found a bit of it right at the end of the last day. Nearby is the Big Pit coal mine. It is now the national coal museum and you can go down the mine. It's very interesting.

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

Still on Anglesey standing in front of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch station. It's the longest place name in the UK. Traditionally tourists would come here, buy a platform ticket and have their photograph taken in front of the station. Today everyone was standing in front of the gift shop and having their photo taken, not sure why. The village is close to the Britannia Bridge. Originally called Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, which means St Mary Church by the pool near the White Hazels. With the arrival of the railway somebody came up with this long name as a tourist attraction. The long name means - St Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St. Tysilio llantysilio with a red cave.It worked as a tourist attraction as people still travel here. The name was used in Barbarella as a password. There is another reason to visit though. The Marquess of Anglesey's column is nearby, from the top you can see Snowdonia.

Isle of Anglesey

Flown over to Anglesey, or Ynys Mon in Welsh. Its just a short journey from Caernarfon, I could have glided over from the top of the castle. It's the sixth largest island around Great Britain and very nice it is too. First place I went was Beaumaris in the east of the island. A nice town with another of Edward I's castles. This one is a world heritage site. In the photograph you can see the Menai Strait and the Menai Suspension Bridge. The Menai Strait is narrow but has strong currents and whirlpools, so best use a bridge (or fly like me!. The suspension bridge is by Thomas Telford and was finished in 1826. A mile away is the Britannia Bridge. Originally by Robert Stephenson and completed in 1850, wait 1000 years for a bridge and two come along at once. It caught fire in 1970 and was rebuilt, opening in 1980.

Caernarfon Castle II

Another photo in Caernarfon Castle. On one of the towers here. The castle sits on the banks of the River Seiont and looks out over the Menai Strait towards Anglesey. It has polygonal towers rather than round ones. It never was finished. Of the two gates the Kings Gate was never finished and now has a glass barrier where you can look out at the town below.

Caernarfon Castle

Here I am at Caernarfon Castle. Lots of seagulls here so have decided to swoop down on a couple of unsuspecting ones. Caernarfon is in Gwynedd in north Wales. It's a large impressive castle. King Edward I started building the castle in 1283, I'm sure he had help otherwise he would still be building it. It is one of several castles he built (yes definitely he got some builders in) to establish English control over Wales (boo!!!). It was sacked in 1294 by Madog ap Llywelyn (hooray!! I could have helped with the fire). The English retook the town the following year (boo!) and started rebuilding.

Snowdonia

On my way to Caernarfon. Decided to stop here and have my photo taken with this lovely view. The lake behind me is Llynnau Mymbyr. It's about 3/4 of a mile long. A delta has built up and cut the lake in two, so it's two lakes. It isn't far from here to Mount Snowdon.