Hit rewind on that tape deck, lave up those high-tops… We’re going back to the 80s! This neon Norbot has buckled up into his time machine and kickflipped his skateboard onto the streets of Bristol in the year 2025.
7. Cuckoo
The crowds will go cuckoo for Cuckoo! This whimsical woodland pooch is inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s folktales we know and love. The tales might be timeless, but this pooch likes to keep things punctual with his working clock face.
36. Spellbound
Casting its magic charm over the trail, Spellbound is cloaked in shimmering stones and turrets, capturing all the enchantment of fairytales. It’s all happily ever after for this gleaming gnome!
La Coupole Centre D’histoire #50places2025
In July I did a holiday to France staying outside Calais in Guines. One of the places we did visit whilst there was La Coupole Centre D’histoire.
This was a planned German V2 launching base, which was abandoned following a devastating bombing raid by the RAF. Still in existence are some of the tunnels and the huge concrete cupola.
The museum was excellent, though slightly reliant on using a tablet computer as you walked around with videos on it.
We really enjoyed our visit to the museum and what I anticipated would be a couple of hours at most, actually we spent most of the day there and even then didn’t experience all that was on offer.
Cap Gris-Nez #50places2025
The closest part of France to the United Kingdom is Cap Gris-Nez in Nord in France. In July I did a driving holiday to France staying outside Calais in Guines. One of the places we did visit whilst we were there was Cap Gris-Nez. You can see England quite easily from the top of the cliff. There are quite a few footpaths around as well. The area was heavily fortified during the second world war and the remains of the various bunkers and fortification can be seen. Also there was the remains of a castle built by Henry VIII.
Bruges #50places2025
I had visited Bruges in the mid 1990s when I did a college trip to Amsterdam and we stopped at Bruges on the way back from Amsterdam to Bristol. It was only a quick visit, that was dampened (literally) by the heavy rain. So, much so, very little time for sightseeing as we walked from the coach park to the heart of the city, finding a restaurant and having steak and chips before heading back to the coach. As a result I was always planing to make a return visit if I was ever close by. Well thirty years later I made that return visit.
When I was planning my holiday to the Calais area, initially I didn’t even think about venturing much further from that area, did think about Paris, and other French places. Then using Google maps seeing where Bruges was I was pleasantly surprised to see that Bruges was just 76 miles (122km) away from our campsite, and as it was mainly motorway was less than ninety minutes away. Discussion with the family followed and they were all keen to go. So, in the middle of our holiday, we got in the car and headed into Belgium.
Upon arrival we parked in the underground parking garage ‘t Zand and there were charging facilities there as well, they had 65 charging stations for EVs. It took a couple of attempts to charge, but mainly because I picked the wrong charger on my first attempt. Also due to the vagaries of the mobile connection, I wasn’t sure if it was working until I was above ground. These were 22kW chargers so slower, but perfect for charging the Funky Cat whilst we spent the day in Bruges.
Bruges is the capital of West Flanders situated in northwest Belgium. The city is distinguished by its canals, cobbled streets and medieval buildings.
46. Toucan Tango
From Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit in the award-winning Vengeance Most Foul, Toucan Tango is a master of disguise. He may look tropical, but don’t be fooled, he has a heart of stone…
27. Phileas Dogg
Jules Verne’s dashing adventurer is reimagined with a Bristolian twist! Inspired by ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, Phileas Dogg sets out on an epic journey to circle Bristol in 80 ways – turning every obstacle into an adventure. Can you spot all 80 modes of transport?
18. King of Diamonds
Feathers McGraw looks like he’s jumped straight out of the pages of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. With his playing card exterior, this clever master of disguise can easily blend in with a deck of cards.
50. Wallace Goes to Hollywood
Suited, booted and red carpet ready, Wallace is on his way to a star-studded award ceremony. With his classic knitted tank top swapped out for a dazzlingly dapper waistcoat, he’s certainly got star quality!
