Bits and pieces, news, views, reviews and stuff
One of three sculptures that can be found at Cribbs Causeway.
We’ve all heard of the Fab Four, but now we have a fab four-legged friend! Yellow Submarine has been designed in partnership with the legendary Sir Paul McCartney and is based on The Beatles’ smash hit film and song from the 1960s.
This Wallace sculpture is all the way down in Cheddar.
Who goes there? It’s Wallace, in his starring role in this Roman historical epic. Visionary inventor, hapless gladiator and part-time philosopher, Wallace is bound by strength and honour. Gromit diem servat!
Gromit’s shimmering, pearlescent coat, with imagery of the sea and a belt made from shells, pays homage to the folklore of mermaids. These magical sea creatures have inspired countless books and films, and now, this captivating sculpture.
The only Shaun the Sheep on this year’s trail is outside the Aardman studios.
Ewe won’t believe it! Woolly Capers is a special collaboration celebrating 30 years of the baa-rilliant Shaun the Sheep since the release of award-winning Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave.
I made a visit to Cheddar, in the main to grab a photograph of the Gromit sculpture, but also have a walk. Cheddar can be slightly cheesy in places, but the magnificence and natural splendour of the gorge makes all that tack and cheese pale into insignificance.
It was a rather hot day, so made the decision to not walk up the gorge itself, but did drive through it up the road.
Amongst the boatyards of the Undersell Yard is the piratical Jolly Roger.
This fearless and swashbuckling pirate is ready to delight the crowds before his next big adventure, proving that even the smallest pirate can make the biggest splash! Ahoy, me hearties!
Outside Hargreaves Lansdown is a Wallace sculpture.
COCK-A-DOODLE DOO!! Watch out, Rocky, this plucky, free-range Wallace, designed by Peter Lord, Director of Chicken Run, is ready for his next starring role. Rooster Booster would make a cracking egg-stra for the next Chicken Run!
Hiding away in the foyer of We The Curious is Astrognome.
On his way to the stars, Astrognome, by Nick Park, is inspired by Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out. He leaves a trail of stardust as he explores new worlds – one galaxy at a time. Don’t forget the crackers!
Hiding out in IKEA is Marigold. I hadn’t actually planned to go to IKEA to photograph the Gromit, so was pleasantly surprised I could tick off another sculpture from the list.
Dressed as Bollywood royalty and wrapped in vibrant reds, greens and marigold yellows, this Gromit is ready to steal the show with every wag and pose. There’s a new four-legged star in the city!
For the first time in nearly thirty years I was up early enough to head to Ashton Court for the morning ascent of the International Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Since I moved to the South West in the early 1990s I have visited the Bristol Balloon Fiesta a number of times, but the last time I managed to make the 6am morning ascent was back in the 1990s.
We were lucky and we had green smoke and a lot of hot air balloons ascended and drifted across Bristol.
