Bits and pieces, news, views, reviews and stuff
Looking after the Clifton Suspension Bridge is 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.
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.
I really liked this homage to Pinewood Studios.
Lights! Camera! Action! Cue our star of the big screen, Gromit, paying tribute to the pinnacle of British filmmaking, Pinewood Studios. With a pose worthy of the silver screen, this pup is ready to steal the show on any red carpet.
Like a glitter ball.
Get your boogie-fever on, Bristol! Inspired by dazzling disco movies and expertly transformed into a glitzy glitter ball, you’ll feel the beat when this Gromit hits the dance floor.
Love the retro art decor look of this one.
With his roaring 20s art deco style, this glamorous Gromit would make a lavish conversation piece at any one of Gatsby’s glittering parties in West Egg. Gatsby brings a touch of jazz-age elegance and mischief to Bristol.
You could argue that I’ve done this one already, when I posted about the Bristol Balloon Fiesta which takes place at Ashton Court. Yes and no, that was visiting the balloons, this was about having a walk and looking at the mansion house.
A bit of a hike to get to, up in Henleaze this one.
Hold onto your cowbells; the hills have arrived in Bristol! This Alpine-inspired blockbuster of a pooch is covered with a beautiful vista, stunning star-shaped blooms and an Edelweiss flower on his nose.
Hiding on North Street on Bedminster (well in plain sight) is Scone With The Wind.
An homage to ‘Gone with the Wind’, this Gromit is a sweet celebration of the Great British picnic! Complete with scones, cream, jam and cakes, join Scone with the Wind for a bite to eat. Frankly, my dear, do we give a jam?
KAPOW! Meet Nemesis, an evil genius inspired by comic book villains. Imagine the trouble this costumed foe could cause with a diamond to steal and a smart gnome to defeat to complete his dastardly plan.
After enjoying my National Trust membership in 2023, I decided I would rejoin the Trust for 2025.
I have been to Clevedon Court a number of times over the years. It’s only open for six months of the year and only a few times a week. I made a visit there in April of this year.
Clevedon Court
Medieval manor house and 18th-century terraced garden with wide views of the Mendip Hills. Clevedon Court is an outstanding 14th-century manor house. Purchased by Abraham Elton in 1709, this remarkable survivor from the medieval period has been the ancestral home of the Elton family ever since.
Current saving £205.90
One adult £12.00
Parking – Free
Total saving £12.00
Cumulative saving £309.10
Membership cost £91.20
Net cumulative saving £217.90
One interesting aspect of the house was that the Victorian facade which was added in the 1880s was removed in the early 1950s by the National Trust. When the National Trust agreed to take on the house, the Victorian west wing (but not its Elizabethan south front) were demolished as were a plethora of minor 18th- and 19th-century buildings at the rear.
While much of the house is now open to the public, some parts remain private. This is because the Elton family still uses the house, and they continue to stay there.
The gardens are also a highlight and are well worth exploring.
This year I have planned to visit fifty places, however I have already visited Clevedon Court as part of that series of blog posts.