Author: jamesclay

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Then and Now Take Two – Bristol Airport

This is a regular series of blogs about photographs of the same place taken years apart. The first of the posts in this series was of a council building in Manchester. I always thought I should give then and now photographs a go. However what I have started to notice is that I have been doing Then and Now photographs unintentionally over the years and have been taking photographs of the same thing or place from the same view o ar perspective years apart. Now this has come to my attention I have started to intentionally take photographs of the same place.

Over the years I have taken this view at Bristol Airport quite a few times, both unintentionally and now intentionally.

This was taken in September 2025 using an iPhone 13.

Here are the photographs from over the years taken of the same view.

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Why no helmets?

parked cycles in a cycle rack

It would appear that everyone in the Netherlands has a bicycle and cycles everywhere…

On a recent visit to the Netherlands I had first-hand experience of Dutch cycling. There are numerous cycle paths across the country and in Delft where I was staying there were loads.

One thing that really stood out for me was the complete lack of cyclists using helmets.  Alongside that was the huge number of cyclists as well, especially at peak hours, at some points it felt like the cycle path was part of the route of the Tour de France.

Now I am not saying they should wear helmets, mandate it, but the thought of crashing at 20kph would make me wear a helmet if I was cycling in the Netherlands.

So, why don’t they wear helmets?  Searching online, the key reason appears to be cultural.  This article from The Guardian explores the Dutch thinking.

When 42-year-old Myrthe Boss gets on her bike to go shopping in the Dutch town of Ede, she pops on a helmet. This act, considered essential in many countries, marks Boss out as something of a radical in the Netherlands, where helmet-wearing is rare.

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Canary Wharf #50places2025

I had already included London in my #50places2025 list, but London is a big place.

Recently I did another day trip to London, and this time one of the places we visited was Canary Wharf. In the past I would rarely visit East London, as it was such a trek from Paddington or the centre of London. However the Elizabeth Line now makes it really quick and easy to get to that side of London now.

Canary Wharf is a modern suite of tower blocks with food courts, shopping arcades, a sky garden, and lovely views of the Thames.

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32. Robin Hood: Prince of Cheese

…and I managed to get them all. This was the final one for me.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood

Wallace has arrived straight from the classic tale of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. This cheesy outlaw of Sherwood Forest is legendary for his generosity in distributing wealth to the poor. Peek into his teacup, you’ll see it’s filled with gold.

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24. Norbot

Looking as he is does in the recent film, is Norbot.

24. Norbot

24. Norbot

Straight from Wallace & Gromit’s latest escapade in Vengeance Most Fowl, the ingenious, Neat and Tidy gnome has brains, gadgets and a no-nonsense attitude. Combining die-hard determination and gnome-alone genius with a knack for handling everyday tasks with precision, Norbot is the epitome of British charm.

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6. Casperis

The Bristol Museum always has a lovely looking Gromit, this trail is no different with the beautifully Egyptian themed Casperis.

Casperis

Casperis

This latest Bristol Museum acquisition was found in a tomb from 2025 BG (Before Gromit). Casperis, the loyal hound of Ancient Egypt, was said to guard the Pharaoh’s secrets. We’re in de-Nile about the value of this priceless Gromit.

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22. Mr Darcy

22. Mr Darcy

Mr Darcy, inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, has returned from his Pemberley Estate. This Wallace fancies himself a romantic hero, but will he win Elizabeth Bennet’s heart?

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42. The Bristol Barker

Looking after the Clifton Suspension Bridge is The Bristol Barker.

42. The Bristol Barker

42. The Bristol Barker

Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant neon lights of the city with this Brizzle-inspired pup. Adorned from ears to paws with local Bristolian phrases and street signs, make sure you don’t get lost in translation.

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Then and Now Take Two – Ashton Court

This is a regular series of blogs about photographs of the same place taken years apart. The first of the posts in this series was of a council building in Manchester. I always thought I should give then and now photographs a go. However what I have started to notice is that I have been doing Then and Now photographs unintentionally over the years and have been taking photographs of the same thing or place from the same view o ar perspective years apart. Now this has come to my attention I have started to intentionally take photographs of the same place.

On a recent visit to Ashton Court in August 2025, I took this photo using an iPhone 13.

This photograph was taken in the 1990s using a Canon EOS 500 film camera, the print was scanned in using an Epson scanner. Though not quite the same perspective and location, it’s pretty close. Back then cars were allowed quite a way into the park to park (there were no meters back then either). You can also tell the age of this photograph from the age of the cars in the shot.

I have taken this shot (or a very similar shot) quite a few times over the years, as you can see here (and in this post).

This view was taken in October 2014 using a Canon EOS 400D.

I was there in June 2017 as well and took this very similar shot using an Apple iPhone 6s Plus.

This was on a visit to Ashton Court in September 2020 with an Apple iPhone 8.

Ashton Court is a mansion house and estate to the west of Bristol in England. Although the estate lies mainly in North Somerset, it is owned by the City of Bristol.