Bristol - Baltic Wharf

 Less than a week after returning from our wonderful trip to Norfolk we were off in Dame Shirley Bassey again. This time to Bristol. Ian had the pesky little task of going to work on the Friday morning but i nagged him so much on the problems of the school run and the M42 that he was home by 2.30. Having done all the packing earlier we were straight off before the first child had chance to set foot in mummy’s Range Rover. The first bit was easy going, but an accident on the M42 (ha!) meant we had to go round the top of Birmingham on the M6. Never quick on a Friday afternoon. After negotiating roadworks, cyclists, and a million of those e-scooters, we rolled into the Caravan and Motorhome clubs Baltic Wharf site around 6.30. Perfect. We chose pitch 48, as it faces onto the city, and got DS set up. ‘Hm’ Ian mused. ‘The electric is not working, and Number 47 has plugged himself into our socket. I’m off to confront him.’ Two minutes later he was back. ‘It’s a twister again.’ I said nothing. 

Dame Shirley in position

We had a quick cup of coffee before setting off to see Bristols bright lights. Baltic Wharf is right in the centre of Bristol, near the SS Great Britain. From our pitch we could see across and up to one of the pillars of the suspension bridge, and across to the row of colourful houses. It’s a very small site and a round trip to the facilities meant we could view all the other units before declaring Dame Shirley the best. It also has a much loved secret gate. No key here, a much more upmarket code, and we were soon on the quayside. The sun was setting and the view was superb.

The secret gate

Baltic wharf at sunset

We walked along past the SS Great Britain,  past a pub with a million dodgy looking people outside, (must ask Alex about that), through a murder alley, then back along the wharf to the very centre, all the time dodging scooters. We chose a very very posh restaurant for tea where Manuel, the Maitre’D, had to decide if there was room for riff raff in his very empty room. Resignedly he found us a space, a very lovely one though, overlooking the basin, where we ordered food and a bottle of wine. We were soon tucking into some splendid bread and toasting St Georgie with a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon.

Here’s to you Georgie Kelly

Manuel was the only one of many servers allowed to place the plates on the table, and he shortly brought us our mains. Lamb (unminted) for Ian, and The catch of the day, Stonebass, for me. Both were delicious. All the while a real pianist played discreetly in the background as the sun went down. The only problem came when Ian said, ‘there’s the moon look!’ So you automatically do. It was a New Moon. Through glass. Oh no! A heavy defeat tomorrow then. 

As we waved Manuel and his underlings goodbye, the basin was lit with bright lights, and heaving with people. 

Bristol by night

We decided to walk back on the other side, mainly to avoid murder alley by darkness. We passed some nice looking restaurants and pubs, then one that wouldn’t be out of place in Canklow, before arriving back at the secret gate. Just time to watch the 1% club before bed. 

Strava watch

I have ascertained that people in the country walking magazine use their OS app to track their mileage so I thought I would give that a go and I do like that better, although to my consternation the distances are different. What do I do? 

OS 3.29 miles

Strava 3.13 miles