All Hallows' Eve

It's Halloween again. I can see it in every store, restaurant, bar and even private houses. The business sees Halloween as a chance to sell Halloween themed products and pumpkins, vegetable that we don't see the rest of the year, seem to be everywhere.

The 31st October is thought to be the night of the year when ghosts, witches and fairies are especially active. It happens on the eve of a major catholic festival, All Saints Day, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, and also on the eve of the pagan Celtic festival known as Samhain, marking the end of the light half of the year and the beginning of the dark half. In some catholic countries tomorrow will be a bank holiday except in the UK, where we must go to work tomorrow too.

The name, Halloween, is a shortening of "All Hallows' Eve" and the festivity has been so Americanized that whole Europe, including the UK, celebrates the night before All Saints Day with trick-or-treating, decorating and carving pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, and wearing spooky (or not that spooky) costumes. Don't get me wrong, I am not against American traditions. However, I believe traditions should stay where they belong instead of trying to conquer the rest of the world.

Bristol247.com suggests a very interesting guide with Halloween-themed plans to do in Bristol: 'Halloween Fun' at Bristol Zoo, 'Late Nights' at the Watershed, 'Under the Dark Moon' at the Creative Common and Ramshackle Halloween Freak Out at the O2 Academy, for example. It's a weekend full of plans... or make your own!

Inner Zone, Outer Zone... Bristol First Bus fares change!

November, month of changes. At least it will be if you use First Bus. During a consultation First Bus run some months ago, the company got strong feedback on the issue of fares and they understood there was a need to do some changes. I am personally satisfied with the changes that First is going to implement in the fares, but I can understand not everybody will share my satisfaction.

Zones will change now: there will be a Inner Zone, which covers the old 1 & 2 zones (and a little further), and Outer Zone, which takes up to 12 miles from Bristol city centre, including Clevedon, Thornbury and even Bath Bus Station. Download the new Bristol fare zones map here.

Changes in Single Fares are particularly good for those who travel short distances. They will keep the 3-Stop-Hop for the same price (£1) and will introduce three new single tickets: to travel up to 3 miles (£1.5), between 3 and 6 miles (£2.5) and over 6 miles (£3.5), all of them for the Inner Zone. Customer won't need to know how far the route is, the driver will put the destination into the ticket machine and it will tell the correct price of the ticket. Return Tickets will just be available for journeys in the Outer Zone, and prices will remain the same. Day Tickets will remain the same, £4 Inner Zone and £6 Outer Zone. Night Tickets, which give unlimited travel between 7pm and 4.30am in the Inner Zone, will increasesfrom £2.90 to £3.

All seasonal tickets, which is what I buy, are reduced. Week Tickets will be reduced from  £18.50 to  £17 in the Inner Zone, and remain the same for the Outer Zone ( £22). Month Tickets are reduced from  £68 to  £66 in the Inner Zone and from  £84 to  £80 in the Outer Zone. Year Tickets now cost  £650 for the Inner Zone (before  £800) and  £840 in the Outer Zone (before  £1250).

I have to say that the comparison is done comparing current Zones 1&2 week, month and year tickets to Inner Zone tickets, which is not completely accurate. Fare changes are particularly bad for people travelling within the same zone (Zone 1 or Zone 2). However, new fares are good for those who travel short distances within the city centre, as mentioned before, and also for people living or working in areas that were Zone 3 before and have been incorporated into the Inner Zone now.

Children under 5 travel free and aged 5-15 will be entitled to get a 50% discount. There will be a 30% discount for 16-21 year-old students. There are no discounts if you pay with Bristol Pound. [UPDATE (28 Oct 2014): The student discount is NOW in place and students can benefit from a 30% discount in any ticket (single, day, week, month...)]

Changes will be applied from 3rd November 2013 onwards. Do not worry if you have a seasonal ticket expiring after 3rd November; existing season tickets will be accepted until 30th November. From 1st December, just new style tickets will be valid, though.

More info: www.fairerfares.co.uk and www.firstgroup.com/bristol

The perfect storm?

We were warned to expect the worst. However, the storm that stroke Bristol this morning was less severe than forecasted. Media has over-reacted by comparing this storm to the ferocious St Jude, the "Great Storm" in 1987 (more info about St Jude). Even the summer thunderstorm was bigger!

After a couple of days of strong wind, the so-called "storm of the decade" arrived to Bristol during the night, bringing heavy showers and winds of up to 60mph, which shoud have arrived to the North Sea by now.  It rained non-stop since last night, but there have been minimal disruptions in the city in terms of damage and flooding. Ironically, the sun is shinning now.

Bristol Airport just posted on their website that "the majority of flights are operating as normal" but is warning passengers to check their flights in order to make sure they are not delayed or cancelled. First Great Western posted on their website that "services are being affected by poor weather conditions" and disruption details can be consulted here. National Express also keeps a live update on their services on Twitter (here). On the road, Severn Bridges and M48 suspension bridge were closed to traffic since last night, yet most of the roads have been reopened.

They say that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", but this time news have alarmed Bristol about a storm that bypassed Bristol after all.

Image source: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/UK-storm-Bristol-commuters-warned-expect-worst/story-19994543-detail/story.html

Ashton Gate Flea Market

Today, defying the "masive thunderstorm" which was supposed to hit Bristol at some point this weekend (read here), I went to the Flea Market to see if I could find any bargain for my Christmas presents. Finally, the storm did not strike Bristol, at least not so far, although we are having strong wind and rain every now and then. Tonight, perhaps...

There are several ways to go to Ashton Gate by public transport. I took the First Bus 76 and I got off in Bedminster, Parson Street West Street bus stop. From this point until Ashton Gate, there is a 10-minute walk. On the way back, I took the First Bus 24, which stops in Ashton Vale (Smyth Road), a minute walk from Ashton Gate, and goes straight to the city centre in 15 minutes. 

The Flea Market is on the East wing of Ashton Gate Stadium. In order to avoid surrounding the whole Stadium to search for the entrace (which is something I did), check the picture out. The entrances are marked with two red arrows.

There is a free parking in front of the Stadium which was half empty today at midday. If you come by car, you would be able to park it in that car park.

The ticket for the Flea Market is 2 pounds (children free). If you need cash, there is a cash machine in the Sainsbury's in front of Gore's Marsh Park or apparently another cash machine in somewhere at the north side of the Stadium (I just overheard somebody talking about it).

There are around 100 stalls with everything you can imagine. Most of the things selling at the market are old but not everything, which surprised me. There are some arts & craft makers selling their latest works too. If you are redecorating your place, it is worth having a look at the Flea Market as you will probably be able to find some bargains there. 

There are nice pieces of old restored furniture, decorative paintings and posters, flowers, postcards, old jewellery, vintage hats and clothes in general... and there is always something that you are not expecting to find. For me, it was a old wooden children dog you can see in the picture. Don't be afraid of making your offer, they are happy to haggle!

The Bristol Flea Market in Ashton Gate is held once a month during the whole year. Next one is 24th November. The one in County Ground is held a couple of times a year. Check the exact dates on the website.

Some weeks ago, I published a post for market lovers which you might be interested in: Bristol Market Lover's Guide

LINKS

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Bristol Flea Market: http://www.bristolfleamarket.co.uk/

Harmonica Festival

Since I was a child, I have always been surrounded by music. My mom used to dance with me in the living room when I was just one year old, and I have the image of my dad playing the guitar engraved in my mind as far as I can remember. He also used to play the harmonica, among other instruments, and that is probably why listening to the harmonica makes me travel back in time.
The man in the picture is Carey Bell, an American blues virtuoso who played the harmonica in the Chicago blues style for other groups before embarking on a solo career in the early 1970s. He died in 2007. However, the love for harmonica still stays alive thanks the influence of him and other harmonica musicians.

The National Harmonica League (or NHL, as it is shortened in their website) is the only organisation in Great Britain dedicated to harmonica. Bristol has been their headquarter to held the popular Harmonica Festival since 2001. The festival, organised mainly thanks to the collaboration of local community and volunteers, has been increasingly becoming more and more popular.

Bristol Harmonica Festival takes places in the Folk House in 40A Park Street. The building is "hidden". Between the stores "Nomadi" and "Children's Hospice South West", there is a little corridor where you will find the main entrance to the Folk House. There is a lovely open air patio-garden called "Oasis", perfect if the weather is mild. As you enter to the building, there is a reception, there are class rooms upstairs and a cafeteria at the ground floor. 

There are some activities organised for the Bristol Harmonica Festival this weekend. Last night, for example, there was an Open Jam Session held in the main hall of the Folk House. Ben Hewlett and Greg Zlap were running the event and they opened the stage to give an opportunity to any harmonica player to come and join the band.

I was there and I can tell you that it was a very beautiful and unique event. We arrived early to the venue so I ordered a Coke (1.20 pounds) at the bar in the meantime. The Open Mic started around 9.30pm. The venue was not completely full, which I believe it was perfect in order to appreaciate the music even better, with your own space.  The acoustic in the Main Hall is very good and I was very impressed with the quality of most of the harmonica players was excellent. Young, old, male, female, origin... it did not matter. Apart from the noisy chatty people at the back (which is very disrespectful for the musician), I don't have any other complaints. This event made me realise that I love the sound of the harmonica more than I thought.

Tomorrow, 26th October, the Contest will start. If you play the harmonica and you would like to join, you should register at the contest desk in the hall on arrival. The contest starts from 10am and the awards will be given approximatelly around 5pm. Timings might change, though, and they recommend you check them when you arrive. Afterwards, there will be an Evening Gala Concert, which will start around 7.45pm. For Sunday, 27th October, there is an Open Concert, Workshops and other activities organised for the day. You can download the official Festival Programme here.

LINKS
---------------
National Harmonica League:
http://harmonica.co.uk/
Official Festival Programme:
http://harmonica.co.uk/images/H2013%20Festival%20Program%20Prov.pdf
The Folk House:
http://www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk/

Rugby League World Cup 2013

If you search Cook Islands on Google, it will point one green relatively small island in the Pacific Ocean. However, Cook Islands comprises not one but 15 small islands with about 100,000 visitors travelling to them in 2011. 

When I read about the Rugby League World Cup 2013, I realised our teachers didn't emphasize enough on geography. Although, being such a little country in the middle of the ocean... I don't think it is such a big deal not to know where they are (I don't make people feel guilty when they know where the Basque Country is either!). 

Let's go back to the main point: Cook Islands is playing against USA in the Memorial Stadium in Bristol next Wednesday 30th October at 8pm. I know nothing about rugby so it will be an interesting evening. Lucky me, I will go with someone who understands about the topic and I will be able to ask the silliest questions I can come up with.

Cook Islands players arrived to Bristol yesterday, a week ahead of the World Cup match, and they have already taken a picture with their flag in front of the City Hall (see here). Tomorrow 24th October, they will be coaching some pupils at Mangotsfield School and you will also get a chance to see players training at SGS Filton Wise Campus at 9.30am. On Friday, there will be a coaching master class at SGS Filton Wise Campus at 7.30pm.

I am new in this field. I will start my research around rugby right now. General information, rules, players... and try to surprise my friends with some comments. We will see how it works. As you can see in the picture, there is an exhibition that I have already visited in the lobby of the Central Library in College Green. Interesting as a background knowledge. 
And I think I will support USA. I have some very good Basque-American  friends (who I miss very much, by the way!) over there and I have also been part of the USA team in the Mundial Pelota Vasca held in Pau (France) last 2010. So, it makes sense, right?

There are some tickets available on the official website (10 pounds) and student can get the same tickets half price.





I read this sentence somewhere, a good way to finish the post: 

"Rugby is like war; easy to start, difficult to stop... and impossible to forget"

I will let you know next week if that sentence applies to me too. :)

OTHER LINKS

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http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/our-city-news/2013-10/flag-welcomes-cook-islands-rugby-league-team
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/World-CupVisiting-players-Cook-storm-clash/story-19968033-detail/story.html

MShed: your museum, your story

Located on Prince's Wharf beside the Floating Harbour, the MShed is a museum to explore about the city which was opened in 2011. The museum's name comes from the way the port identified each of the sheds. 

The museum is closed on Mondays, and opens from Tuesday to Friday between 10am-5pm and 10am-6pm on weekends. The entrance is free yet there is a £2 suggested donation.

The permanent exhibition is divided into three galleries:

BRISTOL PLACES

This gallery on the ground floor focuses on the history of Bristol as a city, as well as on the importance of each the districts in Bristol. They show pictures of the diverse neighbourhood of St Pauls, the different cultures and exotic food in Easton, Southmead Hospital's history, great pictures of River Trym in Westbury, smart buildings and nice shops in Clifton and Hotwells, St Mary of Redcliffe's Church... Very interesting gallery to see if you are not fully familiarised with all areas in Bristol.

BRISTOL PEOPLE

There are iconic people who has shaped Bristol over the years. and had converted Bristol into the city that we nowadays know. Personalities such as the bare-knuckle boxer Tom Cribbs, contralto singer Dame Clara Butt, saxophonist and composer Andy Sheppard, barefoot dancer (and singer) Billy Button, pioneering paediatrician Beryl Corner and Flora Bamberger, who worked at the scene of bombing raids.
There is, of course, a blurry picture of the graffiti maker Banksy, and two animals from Bristol Zoom apparently very famous: Jasmina the Red Panda, voted the most popular animal in Bristol Zoo in 2010, and Rosie the Elefant, who died 1961 after 80,000 rides a year to children.

BRISTOL LIFE
This gallery next to Bristol People gallery focuses on people's experiences. You will be able to enjoy stories and experiences of how Bristolians live their lifes. Boicotts, riots, politics, sports, parties... 

How do Bristolians like it at school? What are Bristolian workers like? And Bristolian bosses? Have you ever fallen in love in Bristol? Those questions are answered in this gallery.

There is another gallery at the top floor called the ART EXHIBITION GALLERY, which hosts a wide-range programme of events and exhibitions. Until 3rd November, this gallery hosts an exhibition organized by the National Portraid Gallery (London) by Taylor Wessing. As stated in the website, "the very best contemporary portrait photographs from around the world, capturing famous faces and intimate moments". I did not visit this area this time so I cannot give you any feedback about it yet. You have the choice to pay what you think the exhibition is worth to you (payment discretionary) and the last entry is 30 minutes before closing. 

However, I have visited the L Shed and saw the live build of the Bristol Dinosaur. The L Shed adjoins MShed and is the primary store for Bristol Museum's Industrial and Maritime History collection (and other large objects). From Tuesday to Sunday between 9.30am and 5pm you can drop into the LShed to see a model of the Bristol Dinosaur being built there based on scientists' discoveries. The exhibition will be on until 30th November.


I would like to highlight it is the second time I go to this museum. I went there over a year ago, when I didn't know the city very much. I suggest you go to this museum once you know a little bit about Bristol's areas, personality, culture and life, otherwise there is too much information to take in.

When I visited the museum both times, it was full of kids. The MShed is the perfect museum for a family day. There are loads of interactive activities kids can do to learn about Bristol in a more playful way. If you want to see the museum in a more quieter way, try to avoid afternoons and weekends.

I post a very beautiful sentence I read in the exhibition:

"If you choose to dance with a crocodile, you must be prepared for when the music stops"

Have a nice day!

LINKS

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MShed: http://mshed.org/

Making Sundays Special: Highlights

For the very last time in 2013, we have been able to enjoy (even though it was under the rain) the Make Sundays Special day, which has been happening for once a month for the past months. Traffic is closed to motor traffic in Baldwin and Street and Old Market and opened up for walking people.

The special event going on today was the Bristol Eyd Fayre 2013 in the Creative Common (BS1 6DG), where they were selling islamic goods between 12-5.30pm. There were also food stalls, performances and children's activities.

I post some pictures from today and other (sunnier) "Make Sunday Special" days. I hope you enjoy them! :)

LINKS
-------------
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/make-sundays-special

Bristol Festival of Literature 2013

Starting from tomorrow 19th October until the 27th October Bristol is hosting the Festival of Literature, where 60 writters will perform in 28 different venues. It is a 'themed celebration of the creative word', as they say in the official website. As they say, 'it is a non-for-profit venture, currently unfunded by any public money, but grateful for the support of local firms and the people of Bristol'.

I summarized most of the events happening in the Festival of Literature. However, check the programme in the official website to check ticket prices and times, just to make sure they are the correct. I like the secrecy when describing the events, when you read the descriptions you don't really get the idea of what the events are about. 

There is one event that caught my eye: I would like to highlight a very interesting project called Citywide Tentacle. It is an event divided into 3 parts, and each of them will be host in different venues in Bristol. The ideas is to create a part of a story in each session (beginning, middle and end) involving different people and picking the story up from what it has been done in the previous session(s). It will be interesting to see the outcome story!

PROGRAMME

Saturday 19th October: Learn about InterAct, a charity that uses literature for healing at The Parlour between 2-3pm, or if you prefer, explore the relationship between Roman Fact and Roman Fiction in Bristol Museum for free between 2-4pm (booking required). The Bristol Short Story Prize Award Ceremony, which will also be for free (email boxoffice@unputdownable.org to book a ticket), will take place in Arnolfini. 

Sunday 20th October: There are three events going on Sunday. The first one is an even suitable for kids called  Forage! Ashton Trails, Tales & Tipples in Ashton Court Visitors Centre between 2-4pm; the second event is called Pink Mist: drama in the caves, and it will be hosted in the Redcliffe Caves between 7-8pm where Owen Sheers will perform (5 pounds, 2.5 students). The third event, Fear: tales in the caves, will start right after (8.30pm) and will cost the same.

Monday 21th October: At 7pm, Henleaze Library will held Citywide Tentacle, Part 1, a free event where Edson Burton and you will design a start of a story as a group of survivors in the apocalypse. It will come together at the second part on 26th October, to which contributors are invited for free (5/2.5 stud). Another even will be held at 7pm Redcliffe Caves called Crime in the caves! (5/2.5).

Tuesday 22nd October: Citywide Tentacle, Part 2 will be in Junction 3 Library, and will design the middle part of the story picking up from on the first chapter from Henleaze. The Rum Reading will be happening in The Parlour, where Jasper Gibson will perform, and there will be free Venezuelan rum tasting.

Wednesday 23rd October: The Central Library will host Unchained at 7pm, celebrating library's 400th anniversary. Survive & Thrive in Self-Publishing will be held in The Parlour at 6pm with Helen Hart and Mike Manson. There will also be another event happening at the same location at 8pm called  Thriller Time @ Word of Mouth where Chris Ewan will read some narratives from his newest publish. 

Thursday 24th October: Bristol's Writers' Conference will take place on Thursday in 3 parts in Spike Island starting from 6pm until 9.15pm. One ticket for each part will cost 5 pounds (2.5 students) but you can get a single ticket to attend to all of them for 12 pounds. There will also be another event in Stanfords called On the Road, Off the Page at 6pm with Tom Phillips, Tom Sykes and Mike Manson.

Friday 25th October: The Citywide Tentacle continues with its third part in the Central Library at 6pm to design the end of the story. The Parlour will host Art + Power at 2pm and Word Karaoke at 8pm. 

Saturday 26th October: Saturday is full of events. Saturday Sport at Hooper House Cafe at noon and Launch Pad at 1.30pm, The Unputdownable Speakeasy 2013 at Left Bank at 7.30pm, The Best Port of Trade in Britain at the MShed (2pm), Andy MacNab...! in Hamilton House at 6pm...

Sunday 27th October: the only event going on this day is Miles Chambers, lyrical minded: Radio stories and verse in Ujima 98FM.

I would say half of the events are for free, check the programme in the official website. Nevertheless, it is just 5 pounds (2.5 for students) for any ticket for the rest of the events, so not much. Besides, there are discounts applicable if you buy more than one ticket.

Just choose your favourites and enjoy the Festival of Literature!

http://unputdownable.org/

2-day trip to Peterborough

"Why? Why would you go to Peterborough for the weekend?". That is what my friends in Bristol repeteadly asked me when I told them I would be off on a trip to Peterborough. "There is nothing to see there!". Most of them have never been there, and it might be a small city in the middle of nowhere between London and Leeds, but Peterborough has a lot to offer.

There are a couple of ways to get to Peterborough with public transport. You can get a bus return ticket (National Express) for approximately 50 pounds, though the fastest you will be able to get there is in 5h50min. Taking the train is another option and takes no longer than 4h (sometimes even 3h30min), but the cheapest you will get a return ticket for a weekend is 80 pounds. So, if you are a group of at least 4 people, I would suggest renting a car (Enterprise is a very cheap company) and share the costs of the rent and fuel, which will be way cheaper than travelling with the public transport.

It is very easy to get to Peterborough, you won't even need a SatNav. I suggest two different routes (avoid London in rush hour).

1. VIA LONDON: Follow the M4 until M25. Take the M25 North until you get to the M1. Take the M1 North too and continue until J17, where you go out from M1 to get to Peterborough (this route takes a little longer than 3h).
2. VIA BIRMINGHAM: Follow the M5 North and take the M42 East before you get to Birmingham. Take the 7A exit and follow M6 until it joins M1. Then follow the A14 East until J13, where you will take the A605 towards Peterborough (this route takes a little less than 3h)

We got there Friday night, and stayed in a friend's house (thank you!), so I cannot suggest any youth hostel, although I am pretty sure there will be very cheap youth hostels or B&B in the city centre.

Peterborough is a relatively small city in the East of England. Although being the largest city in Cambridgeshire (estimated population is 214.000), it is a very calm place to live in. In 1850, Lord Exeter had opposed the railway passing through Stamford, and it was decided that the train coming from London would stop in Peterborough. The opening of the Great Northern Railway brought a huge development to the city, which increasingly developed since.

The modern Peterborough is rooted and celebrates its past as a foundation for building a sustainable future and it has the aspiration to be the 21st century Environment Capital. 

Day 1: City Centre

Peterborough Cathedral is the first touristic attraction in Peterborough. It is one of the most important 12th century buildings in England and it is dedicated to St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew, who are looking down from the three high gables of the early English Gothic style West Front. The apprearence of the cathedral is asimetrical, as one of the two towers was never completed. 

Catalina de Aragón, Henry VII's former queen, had been buried there in 1536 and her grave, honoured with glowers and pomegranates (her symbol), can still be seen. In 1587, Mary - Queen of Scots, was also buried there after her execution but she was after trensferred to Westminster Abbey by King James I of England.

Next to the Peterborough Cathedral there is the Cathedral square, the heart of the city, and it is used for varied events during the year including Farmers Market, which is held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Guildhall house, located in the same square, is a magnificent 17th century building.

The weekend we were there there was an Italian Market, and they were selling traditional Italian food, as you can see in the picture.

We had lunch in a place called Asia, 5 Fitzwilliam Street (PE1 2RU), where they serve Halal Food. As we were a big group of people, they didn't have enough room for all of us downstairs and we were transferred upstairs, to the "family room", which was a very strange room in poor condition, with a big table in the middle and a scree where we could see the images from the security camera. The lunch was extremely cheap though; I paid around 5 pounds for a starter soup-of-the-day, a plate full of rice, a small salad and 4 big pieces of lamb, and two side dishes. I love the strong flavour of the lamb, but this time, the tast of the lamb disappointed me. I would just recommend this place if you are looking for something a low-budget lunch and you don't really mind the service.

After lunch we went to Central Park. It is situated on Park Crescend, I would say 15 minutes away from the city centre, and apparently it is the most prestigious park in the city. It won the national Green Flag award for the 4th year. It is a very beautiful park with big green areas, a sand-pit and a paddling pool for kids, bowling greens, tennis courts, croquet lawn and tea-rooms too. I specially liked the Sunken Garden (top left picture).

At night, we went to do some exercise. Travel Choice was organising a "Pedal Power Challenge" in Hampton Vale, a free outdoor cinema powered entirely by bikes, and we pedalled for a while, enjoying Life of Pi under the stars.

Day 2: Ferry Meadows

Ferry Meadows is another Green Flag award winning park in Peterborough, at the heart of Nene Park. If the weather is good, I suggest you grab some food and spend the day at Ferry Meadows. You can walk there, cycle, play, fly a kite, horse-ride, ride a train, go fisihing, exercise the dog, jog... and explore the endless meadows and lakes. Recently, the city council created the Peterborough Park Run, a 5K weekly run, which also take place in Ferry Meadows and apparently it is very popular. 

This following video will give you a flavour of what you will see in Ferry Meadows. I hope you like it!

A young wave of consumerism in Cabot Circus

I am getting old. 26-year-old PhD student and I am already feeling old. 18-year-old 2013/2014 university freshers took Cabot Circus this evening and I was there, trying not to get stressed by the amount of people in the shops and not to getting crazy with the extremelly loud music. I have to say "Well done, Cabot Circus!" for the effective consumer campaign of today, they must have made a lot of money in 3 hours!

Between 6pm until 9pm, Cabot Circus kept its shops open for the "Student Lock-In" campaign to offer up to 25% off to any student who was wearing the official yellow wristband. Minutes before 6pm, students were queueing to get their own wristband, ready to spend their (or their parents') savings in shops in Cabot Circus. The queue took most of Broadmead, starting in front of Apple Store all the way to Lloyds Bank, at least. Once they started giving the wristbands, a wave of students stroke the shopping centre, where DJs in different stores started their performances, soundtracking the normally silent mall.

As far as I know, they were giving free Jagermaister shots at the entrance of a store, hip hop dancers were welcoming another, and there also african drummers... Some stores like Pandora, Guess and Swarovski, for example, were half empty. I am sure they were not expecting too many students coming over, as they were offering discounts over 100 pounds spent and glasses of champaign. 

I invited my friend to a Mocha at SOHO Coffee (the second one was free), and we checked some of the shops. I have to admit that I am not a shoppaholic person, so I just bought a pair of nice earrings in Accessorize, where I got a 15% off, and my friend got a shirt in Superdry (20% off) and some trousers in G-Star (25% off). 

I believe most of the shops in this campaign will keep the student discounts during the year too, so there was no need to be consumed by consumerism and crazily buy stuff you actually don't need. 

Student Lock-In: http://www.studentlockin.com/index.php?event/city/bristol

Lunch at the Canteen

The Canteen is around the corner from my place, and everytime I go there to have some coffee and I see somebody having lunch there, I always get green of envy. So, I finally convinced my friends to go there for lunch. One of them was a little hungover and he just had a coffee, while another friend and I were having our lunch. 

The Canteen serves lunch everyday between 12-3pm and dinner between 5-9pm. They promote local and organic food above all: the organic fruit and vegetables are supplied by the Community Farm, fish comes from Cornwall, they have  Gloucestershire pork and the beef is from Herefordshire. They serve a special roast dinner on Sundays too. 

The Canteen has a nice outside terrace that gets completely full when the sun shines. There are around 20 all-size tables inside, most of them occupied lately, probably because the weather is getting worse, and the terrace is now empty. There is a reading area in one corner with comfortable sofas where you can borrow a book and read, and there is also a music are at the opposite corner, where you can buy local music artists' works. All artworks hanging on the walls are for sale as well as the lamps and tables!

There were 6 main dishes to choose from today, all of them local home-made dishes, making the best out of simple ingredients. The menu is written in a blackboard next to the kitchen, which changes every day and prices are quite low (main dishes cost between 6.50-11 pounds). I ordered Linguine with a side salad, and my friend went for the Roast Beef. We ordered and paid at the bar, and they brought the food to the table when it was ready.

Any main dish includes the soup-of-the-day. Today, we had a homemade tomato soup (top left picture), very tasty, which arrived within 7 exact minutes, and we were having our main dish 10 minutes after the soup.

My linguine (lower left picture) had an interesting mix of flavours: the sweetness of red peppers with the hotness of the jalapeños, and goat cheese on top. My friend's Roast Beef (top right picture) had good size cuts of meat and he was very satified with the portion of food (I must say that this does not happen very often).The only small inconviniences we had were regarding the vegetables, which we would have cooked for a little longer (onion in my case, leek in his case). We had coffee to finish, which was as good as always.

Overall, good and fast service, tasty local food for a very affordable price. Very recommendable! 

More info: http://www.canteenbristol.co.uk/

West Bristol Arts Trail

Happening since 2008, West Bristol Arts Trails is back this year too. This weekend, 12th and 13th October, over 100 artists in Clifton, Clifton Wood, Redland and Howells will open their studio (and even home) doors for you to check their works between 11am and 5pm. Oils and watercolours, as well as sculptures, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, photography... every year thousands of visitors come along and check the latest artworks of local artists.

Personally, I will be visiting 4-5 jewellery exhibitions to see if I can buy myself a nice pair of (not-too-expensive) made-in-Bristol earrings, I will probably check Beth Richmond and Melanie Pike in 13 Auburn Road in Redland (BS6 6LS) and Catherine Amesbury and Patricia Brownen in 2 Sion Lane in Clifton (BS8 4BE).

• Beth Richmond: Jewellery made from natural pebbles and materials, semi-precious stones and silver. www.bethrichmond.co.uk
• Melanie Pike: Original jewellery, handmade in Bristol from silver, found objects and semi-precious stones. www.pikejewellery.co.uk
• Catherine Amesbury: Unique silver, semi-precious stone & freashwater pearl jewellery. www.catherineamesbury.com
• Patricia Brownen: textile artis, painting, stitching, embellishing silk and making into necklaces, neckpieces, brooches and scarves. www.patriciabrownen.co.uk

Event organisers recommend public transport or bike to visit through Arts Trail, as parking is very limited in these areas. Each venue will be easily recognizable as they will be displaying red balloons.

I got the official programme on through Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, but I'm sure it will be available Inman other places too.

Related Posts: North Bristol Art Trail 2013

LINKS

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www.westbristolarts.com

www.facebook.com/westbristolartstrail