I’m not sure whether the sign was genuinely for some past event that I’d missed or whether some bright spark had spotted the scene and erected the sign. But whichever it made me giggle. :-)

In February 2019 I made one of my favourite square photographs but a few months ago I thought I’d have another go but from the opposite side (the North side).

The Mild Mild West is, of course, the Banksy on the side wall of the Canteen. Walk along the road from the city and it's easy to miss. Walk towards the city and it's impossible to miss! So what did I do? Yup, you guessed it! First I got distracted by the collection of bicycles under a tree at Turbo Island and then by a big stylised 'Forever' painted on the Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) Outdoor Gallery wall.  The paintings on this wall change frequently so its always worth a look when passing. The artwork is always of a very high standard.

The Full Moon pub and hostel sits at the Southern border of Stokes Croft and Bristol city.  Originally built in 1716 as an Inn, today it is still providing accommodation to travellers. It is one of the iconic landmarks in Bristol.   Today the building is colourfully painted with stars, galaxies, nebula and other cosmic scenes and is a true site to behold.  As seen in the photograph it is adjacent to a Stokes Croft boundary marker which claims the area to be a Cultural quarter, a Conservation area and an Outdoor gallery. The boundary marker brilliantly summarises Stokes Croft.

In 1996, work brought me to Bristol or Brizzle as it sounds in the local dialect known as Bristolian. Listen here. Over the years I've really grown to like the place.  It is not too big nor is it too small and it has history. It can be linked to many significant events such as the discovery of North America in 1497 by John Cabot, the construction of technologically advanced ships including the Great Western in 1837 and the SS Great Britain that launched in 1843, blue glass production (known as Bristol Blue) and many nautical phrases such as Shipshape and Bristol fashion whose origin is rapidly fading into the mist of time.

The Second Severn Crossing also known as the 'new' bridge was completed in 1996 and carries the M4 motorway between England and Wales over the river Severn.  Being close to home its something I've photographed several times but never during the winter.  It's a small project right now, as during the winter the sun sets to the South and under the arches thus I'm confident there is a good photograph waiting to be made!

This post is about something a little different, something much closer to home.  Although not originally from Bristol, I've lived in the area for a little over 20 years and don't see myself moving.  Its a great city with a rich and varied history.  Its connected to the sea via a long tidal channel and in the past had a large commercial harbour from which ships laden with goods and rather notoriously, people sailed the world.