Shall we go for a swim?

We are having great weather so far this summer. Temperatures are warm, sun is shinning and who wouldn't take a dip? Apparently, open air swimming pools are not common in the UK so I bring a list of covered swimming pools in Bristol and I will leave open air swimming pools for another time. If you happen to know about any other covered swimming pool within the area that I haven't mentioned, please, leave a comment below and I will try to keep the post updated. Thanks!

Otium Health & Leisure Centrel (BS1 2EL): It has a heated indoor swimming pool, which is probably more for relaxing purposes rather than sport activity, as well as many other beauty and health facilities. Check prices on the WEBSITE:
http://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/bristol/thistle_bristol_city_centre/hotel_facilities/otium_health__leisure_club.html

Bristol South Swimming Pool (BS3 1BS) : This swimming pool located in Bedminster was built in 1931 and is one of the most historically relevant swimming pools in Bristol. It offers a wide range of activities which include Swim Lessons from 4 months to 60+ years, and Swim & Fitness classes for all. The swimming pool is a 30.5-metres long and it has 5 lanes. There are separate changing facilities for male and female located at every side of the pool and there are lockers. One adult swimming session costs £3.45 (concessions £3.15 or £1.95 depending if it's peak or off-peak) and one month of swimming lessons are £25.00 (no discount for students).
WEBSITE: http://www.everyoneactive.com/Centre/Bristol-South-Swimming-Pool/15/Home

Jubilee Pool (BS4 2LP): The Jubilee pool is a 25-metres long swimming pool with 5 lanes located in Jubilee Road. Apparently, they don't provide swimming lessons,but they have other more innovative courses such as Aquazone, Moonlight Swims and also some classes for children such as Disco Swim and Aqua Run. One adult swimming session costs £3.60 (£2.55 for concessions) and a block of 10 Aquazone lessons cost £5.75 (£4.30 for students).
WEBSITE: http://www.leisurecentre.com/jubilee-swimming-pool

Easton Leisure Centre (BS5 0SW): Easton Leisure Centre has two covered pools: a main swimming pool and a teaching pool. They also offer swimming lessons and Aqua Aerobic classes for everyone. One adult swimming session costs £4.00 (concessions £2.25 ) and one swimming lessons, which are sold as a set of sessions, costs £6.00 (no discounts for students, either).
WEBSITE: http://www.everyoneactive.com/Centre/Easton-Leisure-Centre/16/Home

Bannatyne Health Club (BS6 6AG) also offers a heated indoor 25-metres long swimming pool which is available for all members. There are also free lockers, showers and swimwear drying facilities within the club. They have lessons for a fun water-based workout. However, I couldn't find any membership prices on the website.
WEBSITE: http://www.bannatyne.co.uk/healthandfitness/bristol/facilities/

Horfield Leisure Centre (BS7 0XW): Located North of Bristol, Horfield Leisure Centre has two swimming pools: one which is 25-metres long pools with 8 lanes and the other one, 17-metres long is used as a teaching pool. It offers a wide range of activities which include Swim Lessons from 4 months to 60+ years, Aqua Aerobic and  Swim & Fitness classes for all. One adult swimming session costs £4.00 (concessions £2.25 off-peak) and one swimming lessons, which are sold as a set of sessions, costs £6.00 (no discounts for students, either).
WEBSITE: http://www.everyoneactive.com/Centre/Horfield-Leisure-Centre/18/Home

Lido (BS8 2BJ) is a venue with a restaurant, a bar and a swimming pool all at the same place in Clifton. They have a 24-metres long heated swimming pool, which I will include in this post although it is an outdoor pool. Once you are a member (£50 joining fee + £56 monthly fee OR £616 annual fee), you can swim anytime and as many times you wish. They also have a non-member afternoon pass available from Monday to Friday (1-4pm). For £20, you are allowed to use the pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub for 3 hours.
WEBSITE: http://www.lidobristol.com/

Henbury Leisure Centre (BS10 7NG): Henbury Leisure centre also has two covered pools: a main swimming pool and a teaching pool. They offer swimming lessons and Aqua Aerobic classes, as Easton Leisure Centre does. Prices are a little bit different, though. One adult swimming session is £3.90 (£2.15 for concessions) but I couldn't find the price for a swimming lesson on the website, sorry!
WEBSITE: http://www.everyoneactive.com/Centre/Henbury-Leisure-Centre/17/Timetables

Hengrove Park Leisure Centre (BS14 0DE): It has an impressive 50-metres long Olympic swimming pool and another 20-metres long learner swimming pool. They provide swimming lessons but I couldn't find any information about any other activity such as Aqua Aerobic or Fitness. One adult swimming sessions costs £4.25 (£4.10 for concessions) while one swimming lesson costs £5.75 (£4.30 for concessions). 
WEBSITE: http://www.leisurecentre.com/hengrove-park-leisure-centre

Kingswood Leisure Centre (BS16 4RH): This leisure centre in Kingswood provides a 25-metres long main swimming pool and another small pool in Staple Hill. The website does not provide any information about prices or lessons.
WEBSITE: http://www.activecentres.org/centres/kingswood/

"EVERYONE ACTIVE" Discount Card
"Everyone Active" is a well established and nationally recognised brand which has professional staff and a range of payment methods to cater for all customers. The discount card is free for customers eligible for concessionary rates and it provides some discounts in some of the leisure centres above. It is no longer possible for customers who do not qualify for concessions to purchase an Everyone Active discount card as they used to do it until now. If you are a student, you can register online for your Everyone Active Card here or download and fill the Everyone Active Card application form together with the Full-Time Student application form.

WEBSITE: http://www.bristol.gov.uk/page/leisure-and-culture/everyone-active-discount-card

Tourist Inspiration Station

Haven't you ever visited a city for the first time, asked for information on a tourist information center expecting something unique and received a typical list of 3-4 touristic things you have already read on the internet? It happens to me all the time!

Certainly, you MUST visit the Eiffel Tower if you go to France and take a picture of yourself with the Big Ben if you go to London... However, it doesn't make the trip special, personal and meaningful for you. When you ask for information at a typical tourist information centre, they normally have a set of answers to give you, regardless your intentions and interests.

The newly created "Tourist Inspiration Station" is a pilot project exploring new ways of showing off what is brilliant about Bristol to the visitors. The project took off beginning of July with a launch party where "Great little place called Bristol" blog was invited. 

Sadly, I was sick and I couldn't make it that evening but I met Leon and Laura, two members of the Tourist Inspiration Station team, a couple of days later. A group of 6 people is behind the Tourist Inspiration Station. They are either from Bristol or have been living in Bristol for years, so they know loads about the city and what's going on. 

The Tourist Inspiration Station is open from 10am to 6pm seven days a week at the Nº1 Harbourside in Canon's Road (BS1 5UH). They aim to give a revolutionary way of how people are given advice as visitor offering "inspiration consultations": free, personalised itineraries of things to do, places to see, venues to visits, ideas on where to eat and drink.. based on visitor's likes and interests. You, as a visitor, should sit down with them and share what are your likes and interests so that they would suggest places and events that could interest you.

There is a huge blackboard constantly updated with the major events going on in the city for that specific week and they have many leaflets that could interest you. Go check the Tourist Inspiration Station! :)

TOURIST INSPIRATION STATION
Website: http://www.touristinspirationstation.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/touristinspirationstation

No.1 HARBOURSIDE
Website: http://www.no1harbourside.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/no1harbourside

At a Dog Show for the first time

I love dogs. Even though I also find cats cute, I am definitively a dog-person. My parents got Anka, a gorgeous German shepherd, years before me and my brother were born. We grew up around her, she was part of our family... and our games too. We used to pull her ears and ride her when we were very little. She was so calm and patient that she wouldn't complain. 

Although being a gorgeous German shepherd, we have never really considered taking part in a dog show. I am sure there are dog contest back home, it just simply never crossed our mind. Yesterday, I saw a poster announcing there would be a Dog Show in St Agnes Park this weekend and I decided to go check what it was all about.

St Agnes Park is a popular community park located in Montpelier (BS2 9QJ). When Bristol was the third most unhealthy city in England back in the 1850s, St Agnes Park was one of the plans to improve the lives of the area. The headmaster of Clifton College in 1882 organised a petition to try to convince the council to buy an old orchard to convert it into a park. The council agreed to buy the orchard some years later although among all the facilities mentioned in the original plan, initially the council just agreed to fund one of the drinking fountains. The rest (a lodge, a refreshment room, an ornamental pond, a bandstand, a greenhouse, a summerhouse, a fountain, storage sheds and shelters) was funded by public donation. Sadly by 2000, the park was mainly frequented by drug dealers. Since then, several improvement work have transformed the abandoned park into a welcoming community green space. It is open all times and the entrace is free.

When I arrived to the park at around 1pm, it was pretty quiet. There were a few children playing at the playground, but I could barely see any dog. There was a volunteer welcoming at every entrance and explaining what kind of activities were going on. 

There was face and henna paining next to the circus skill's area, information stands of Bristol Zoo, who brought a couple of massive snails and crickets; Holly Edge Animal Sanctuary ready to explain what the animal adoption process is; and Bristol Police with some leaflets about neighbour watch. They were also selling refreshments and food and you could also get your dog microchipped for free in another stand.


Little by little, dogs (and their owners) started to arrive. There were all sorts of dogs, all of them looking and smelling great after a probable revitalising shower. Big or small, it does not matter. Every single dog there was participating in the Dog Show at 2pm.

First, the 'Fantastic Fella' awards: males taking part were asked to walk in circles while the judges were deciding which 3 would get the prize. Then, the 'Loveliest Lady' award: this time, females taking part were asked to do the same. There was a third type of award, 'Best in Show', which was given at the end.

Right after the show, we had the chance to meet Troy, who is apparently a very famous police dog in the area.  He even has a Twitter account! :) He is a 6-years old German shephard, which reminded me of my beautiful Anka. Troy's owner (also policeman) gave us very detailed explanation of how it is to work with your dog at the same time you live with him, and how accurate Troy is when searching for somebody.

The weather also helped. We have been "suffering" from sunny and hot days for weeks. Today, however, not sure if it's because it is the weekend, temperatures were more bearable than in previous days. But it might be just me that I am getting used to the 28-30º we are having.
Anyway, it was a very nice afternoon, surrounded by nice and beautiful dogs. A funny event that must be repeated sometime soon and even though the attendance was lower than what everybody was expected, I would classify the event as successful. 
Nonetheless, some extra advertisement would help for next time to attract more participants and get the event known by a bigger amount of people.

INTERESTING LINKS
History of St Agnes (Complete):
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/leisure_and_culture/parks_and_open_spaces/History%20of%20St%20Agnes%20Park_0.pdf
Dog Show:
http://www.hollyhedge.org.uk/get-involved/events-calendar/st-pauls-dog-show/default.aspx
Troy's Twitter: https://twitter.com/PDTroy
Bristol Zoo: http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/
Holly Edge Animal Sanctuary: http://www.hollyhedge.org.uk/default.aspx

One man and his cow @ The Tobacco Factory

Trevor, a farmer who expects to have a 6-month survival time due to a strange illness, has to decide to whom of his three children will leave his lands, properties and animals. He comes up with the brilliant idea to test his children's behaviour by asking them to look after Judy, his beloved talking cow, for a day and then ask for feedback to the only "impartial" witness: the cow. The children who takes better care of her will be the one getting Trevor's legacy... What can go wrong?

A small platform, some instruments and a few pieces of clothes: that's all these two actors called Living Spit needed to give an absolutely brilliant performance, all in rhyme and song. The Bristol-based couple of actors made everybody laugh, clap and engage non-stop for one hour at the Tobacco Factory this evening with "One man & his cow".

They have been performing "One man & his cow" for the last 3 months and the tour is coming to an end. However, they will be performing again tomorrow, 16th July 2014, upstairs at 8:00. If you have time, go. It is a free performance (although donations are very much appreciated) and I tell you won't regret it! 

If you do, make sure you arrive early as the Theatre Foyer at the Tobacco Factory. It was more of a informal session with a small platform in the corner, a bar and plenty of tables and chair. And when I say plenty, I don't mean thousands! So, make sure you arrive early, pick a good table and grab a drink to make the evening more enjoyable.

ABOUT THE VENUE

I haven't been at the Tobacco Factory before; tonight, it was my first time. I have seen it when I went beer-tasting at the Bristol Beer Factory (read here), but I have never been inside. 

The Tobacco Factory is the last remaining part of the old Wills Tobacco site in Southville. It was saved from demolition by the current mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, who had a visionary thought to convert this building into a multi-use venue. As written on the theatre's wall, the Tobacco Factory "produces and presents excellent art in unique, intimate and visceral spaces."

The building houses Teoh's restaurant, animation and performing arts school, loft-style apartments, a cafe-bar, offices and a theatre.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
Beer-Tasting at the Bristol Beer Factory:
http://greatlittleplacecalledbristol.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/beer-tasting-at-bristol-beer-factory.html

USEFUL LINKS
Tobacco Factory: http://www.tobaccofactory.com/
"One man & his cow": http://www.thetheatreorchard.org.uk/one-man-and-his-cow.html
Living Spit: http://www.livingspit.co.uk/

Bristol Bath Railway Path

On Saturday, a friend and I felt fit enough to walk the entire Bristol Bath Railway Path. The path is a very beautiful trail that should be done at least once in your lifetime. 
The Bristol Bath Railway Path was constructed on the bed of the former Midland Railway by Sustrans between 1979 and 1986. It is 16 miles long (24 km) and links Bristol with Bath following the old railway route. Although the Railway Path is mainly thought to be done cycling (it only takes around 1h30min by bike and the surface is tarmaced), it is also open to walkers and access is provided for disabled users.

We woke up and after preparing some sandwiches and taking some fruit for the day, off we went! We kicked off from St Phillips Road in Bristol at 10am on a very sunny day. Although it was really sunny and hot, the path mostly covered by bushes and trees, which gives a very comfortable shade to enjoy the 5-hour walk. 

DESCRIPTION
Start: St Phillips Road (Bristol)

End: Pulteney Bridge (Bath)

Lenght: 16 miles

Time: 5h

The path is well indicated in Bristol. It is very easy to find how to get there, and within the path, there are many arrows saying how many miles you have already done and how many are left to get to Bath. 
There are many other entrances to join the path at many points other than St Philips Road. So, you are allowed to pop-in/pop-out whenever you want.

There are many tunnels on the way. The first one is probably one of my favourites. As you can see on the picture, it has several scenes of the old railway on the walls. However, they are partially ruined by somebody who bought a black spray and wanted to pretend he was a graffiti artist.

There is also another tunnel really long and leaky. Pretty cool to see the "light at the end of the tunnel".

The path is mostly plain, with no steep uphills nor downhills. Very pleasant walk below the shade of trees and bushes although good trekking shoes are recommended due to the length of the path. We barely didn't stop, that's why it took us just 5h.

There are many benches along the way where you can rest although it would also be great if there were fountains to fill our water bottles and maybe more picnic-ing areas would be useful.

Wildlife, geology and flower lovers have the perfect excuse to come walk the path. But obviously, the old railway is the main attraction. Some of the former stations along the path are still popular stopping points. 

Mangotsfield Station, the spot we chose for the first stop, are the ruins of the old railway line with a special atmosphere and the station in Warmley (on the picture) is a perfect spot to have a rest, some coffee or refreshments sitting down on a terrace, or simply using the free toilets in case of need.

Some curiosities: at the beginning of the route, "Walking for Health" signs remain on the floor, an initiative which supports Bristol's diverse communities to become more active through walking. 

There are free bike pumps along the path.These where located at the Bristol Bath Railway Path very recently (read Bristol Post).

The Roman monument around 4 miles away from Bath made us laugh as well as the zebra crossing in one of the accesses to the path.

We have also come across a cat who might have been the one reported missing. However, we haven't been able to contact the owner as to retrace steps backwards to find her telephone number was too painful to even think about it. What made us smile, on the other hand, were the sentences written down on bridges: "I just lost my job. Let's go play!" LOL

There were many people cycling along the path, some of them probably too fast and too close from us. Very dangerous, especially those who were sneaking up on us...

With 10 miles behind our backs, our forces were scarce. This is where, out of nowhere, we ended up having a well-deserved drink in the Beer and Cider Festival happening that weekend in a pub called "Bird in Hand".

And there is no better reward than to check the map and see that you are already in BATH!! :)

LINKS

Bristol Bath Railway Path: http://www.bristolbathrailwaypath.org.uk/home.shtml
Free Bike Pumps (Bristol Post): http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Free-bike-pumps-installed-Bristol/story-20859128-detail/story.html
Bird in Hand (Pub): www.bird-in-hand.co.uk

Charity fun day in Brislington!

There is a Charity Fun Day planned for next Sunday, 13th July, in Brislington, which will aim at raising money for Supporting Head Injured Pupils in School (SHIPS) and OUCH(UK). Some time ago, a GLPCB reader posted it in our Facebook Page and I thought it was an interesting event to write about. 

Starting from 10am until 3pm, there will be stalls, bungee run, small fairground rides, bouncy castles, DJ, refreshments and loads more! Perfect for a family day!

You can take part in a tug of war teams of 8 need to sign up by 1.45pm (15 pounds). If you like jaffa cakes, there is a 1-minute jaffa cake eating challenge (3 pounds per entry; sign up by 12.45). THere will also be opportunity to win an iPad mini and other great prizes at the raffle (tickets 1 pound).

CHARITY FUN DAY

Address: Old Redcliffians RFC, Scotland Lane, Brislington, BS4 5LU

Day: 13 July 2014  10am-3pm

Check the website for further information:
http://shipsproject.org.uk/charity-fun-day.htm

Balloons for two pounds

Sun came out for the biggest and most colourful event of the year in Bristol. Last Saturday, a crowded St Paul's hosted the famous St Paul's Carnival with a few hours-long masquerade parade and several acts and concerts in different stages around the neighbourhood. 

However, St Paul's Carnival has left a hangover loads of garbage on streets, injured people and more than one shocking piece of news. The garbage was quickly removed from the streets the next morning. However, some injured people are still at the hospital and the shocking news still rolling around in my head.

Yesterday, two men were still in hospital recovering from wounds that followed a series of stabbing at the carnival (read here). And not only that: ambulance staff were subject to threats and abuse as they tried to treat victims (read here). It is sad that after such a wonderful and delightful day, the only reference to Saturday are these kind of news. When too much alcohol (and not only alcohol) gets involved, the worst side of the human kind shows up and six people had to be taken to hospital with stab wounds following a number of separate violent confrontations. 

In this edition, I could see many people than ever who were consuming drugs, without covering it up at all. In this country, I had come across people talking as straight as an arrow about the kind of drugs they consume in a daily basis. Where I come from, this conversation is taboo. Unless you are also part of the gang, people will feel uncomfortable even talking about it with you.

On Saturday, there was a sign with "Balloons for 2 pounds" written on it in many of the stalls, loads of people sucking up the Nitrous Oxide (better known as Laughing Gas) from inside the balloon and hundreds of empty whippets were left on the street. I might be very naive but I have never heard about this kind of drug ever before.

It is a dissociative drug discovered in 1772 and apparently, it has been in common usage recreationally since the early 1800s. It is used by dentists and doctors to sedate patients, but also for culinary surposes (whipped cream). With a cracker, whippets are opened and the nitrous oxide is released into a balloon to be inhaled. When inhaled, nitrous oxide can cause euphoria, sedation, pain relief, laughter, auditive distortions and other phenomena a few seconds after inhaling and can last up to 30 seconds. 

I saw many people laying down, "recapturing" the nitrous (or exhaling into the balloon for reinhalation). This action reduces the available oxygen while increasing carbon dioxide and makes hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) more likely, which can get unconscious and fall down (and maybe hit your head against the floor).

Although I will never comprehend why some people choose to take drugs to feel better or different at parties, those guys laying down on the street were being smart after all.

LINKS

Bristol Post "Two men still in hospital following violence and stabbing":
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/men-hospital-following-violence-stabbings-St-Paul/story-21338601-detail/story.html
Bristol Post "Ambulance staff speak out":
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Ambulance-staff-speak-bedlam-St-Paul-s-Carnival/story-21341175-detail/story.html

Information about Nitrous Oxide:
http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showwiki.php?title=Nitrous_Oxide#ixzz36s3IqZ6q

PIMM's and things

How haven't I discovered this refreshing drink until last summer? We were watching the Wimbledon final in a friend's garden who prepared a jug of PIMM's and I loved it. It is the British version of the Spanish "sangría". It has many more fruits and doesn't contain wine, though. Very tasty!

What is it? I am not sure... Liquor? Maybe. According to Wikipedia, it was first produced in 1823 by James Pimm, a farmer's son fron Kent, who mixed of herbs and liquors as an aid to digestion. It would later be known as "No1 Cup", the most popular PIMM's product nowadays. Then, a large scale production started in 1851 until he sold the business. Over the years, PIMM's extended their range (No2, No3...) and it became extremelly popular at the summer garden parties in Britain.

It is not a cheap drink, it can cost 12 pounds a jug or more, depending on the bar. The bottle, however, is around 12 pounds as well, but you can get many PIMM's jugs from a one-litre bottle. When I bought my first PIMM's bottle, I got the official jug as well.
How to make an original PIMM's cocktail? Keep reading!

RECIPE: Take a jug or long drink glass and fill it with ice. Mix one part of PIMM's No 1 with three parts of chilled lemonade. Then, add some cucumber, mint, orange and strawberries that you chopped previously. Let the flavours mix for a while and serve cold.