A la recherche a temps perdu.

[Barry]

I have just returned from visiting Bristol, the city where I was born and spent my childhood. I left Bristol 56 years ago and haven't been back, until now.

So why return after all this time? - Well my partner wanted to see where I lived and went to school.

Whilst I could remember the roads, it had been a very long time since I had driven there, I had no idea about current one-way systems and the like. So I programmed the sat nav with where I wanted to go and relied on her instructions (all sat navs are female). Well, what with sometimes conflicting directions: such as being told to turn into no entry turnings, or giving instructions too late, we were taken all around the houses, but eventually arrived at our intended destination. Fortunately most of Bristol seems to be a 20mph zone, which gave me sufficient time to get into the appropriate lane at roundabouts etc.

Well the area around Clifton, where I used to live, has changed out of all recollection, and for the better - it has really gone upmarket. Of course, like a lot of towns and cities these days, it is all cafés, bistros, Turkish barbers and some charity shops. But some big name stores have moved into the immediate area: Sainsbury's, M&S and Boots.

Before, I would have adopted the Dylanesque attitude "Don't look back", but I was fascinated by the changes and improvements made after 56 years. So not quite Marcel Proust's reverie when eating a Madelaine cake, but enjoyable nonetheless.

I'm just glad it was a Sunday when the traffic is quieter.

[brian2957]

I lived in Bristol for 2 years around 45 years ago Barry. Lived in a flat just off Whiteladies Road. I was a mechanic at the bus depot in Winterstoke Road. Don't remember much else though :)

[CageyH]

I left Bristol in 2007, but go back on a regular basis.
I hope you didn’t fall foul of the clean air zone?

[Barry]

I lived in Bristol for 2 years around 45 years ago Barry. Lived in a flat just off Whiteladies Road. I was a mechanic at the bus depot in Winterstoke Road. Don't remember much else though :)

We lived in South Parade, but the postal address was Oakfield Road. Both are off Whiteladies Road.

[Barry]

I left Bristol in 2007, but go back on a regular basis.
I hope you didn’t fall foul of the clean air zone?

My car satisfies the ULEZ requirements for London. Didn't know Bristol had their own clear air zones.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I've never lived in Bristol but been drunk once or twice in a few public houses.

[Jimbo]

I used to live in Frenchay and worked in Bristol. Great city, London priced property market however. Nice city and great access to the South West.

[Cotlake]

I used to live in Frenchay and worked in Bristol. Great city, London priced property market however. Nice city and great access to the South West.

Snap! I still live in Frenchay.

[Patrick Dixon]

I live near Yate but I never go to Bristol (not that it's not a great city with lots going on). I am going there to see Massive Attack (on the downs) next month though.

[CageyH]

There are a lot of places near Yate.

[Patrick Dixon]

Toulouse is not one of them.

[Barry]

Snap! I still live in Frenchay.

When I went off to University, my parents moved from Clifton, in Bristol and out to Winterbourne; roughly 3 miles north of Frenchay.

[Barry]

I live near Yate but I never go to Bristol (not that it's not a great city with lots going on). I am going there to see Massive Attack (on the downs) next month though.

During the holidays, I used to work in Yate at Newmans, a factory that manufactured electric motors. It closed down many years ago.

[Jimbo]

Snap! I still live in Frenchay.

Haha - used live on Cleevewood road in a flat. Lovely part of Bristol. I would cycle down the disused railway ( Sustrans) into Bristol and down river Avon to Portbury where I worked.

[CageyH]

Toulouse is not one of them.

It is only two hours away.
I grew up not far from Yate - Frampton Cotterell.

[CageyH]

When I went off to University, my parents moved from Clifton, in Bristol and out to Winterbourne; roughly 3 miles north of Frenchay.

I went to school in Winterbourne. My parents house was right on the border between Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne, backing on to Hoopers Farm playing field.

[Patrick Dixon]

It is only two hours away.

I think you are forgetting the time required to clear security and border controls, plus ATC delays of course.

We are between Rangeworthy and Wickwar, 2.2 miles (as the crow flies) from Yate.

[Mikeandvan]

Lived in Newport as a kiddie so spent fair few weekend in Bristol, it was 'the big city' to us, lol. Nowadays with the removals I do I learn that its folk are an identikit of Brightons, that is a bunch of stinking XR rebellion trans women PC Banksy loving woke folk.

[Barry]

Bit of a sweeping statement there.

Would be interesting to hear what User211 thinks.

[Pigmy Pony]

Lived in Newport as a kiddie so spent fair few weekend in Bristol, it was 'the big city' to us, lol. Nowadays with the removals I do I learn that its folk are an identikit of Brightons, that is a bunch of stinking XR rebellion trans women PC Banksy loving woke folk.

You don't have to explain to us why you like living in Brighton :D But why do they all love PC Banksy? Is it because he always lets them off with a warning?

[Mikeandvan]

You don't have to explain to us why you like living in Brighton :D But why do they all love PC Banksy? Is it because he always lets them off with a warning?

A warning? The judge gave them a goddam accolade! You know those protesters what threw the statue in the river all those years ago. You know the black girl who had a statue of her made within a few months of that event, and then turns out she was a scammer, hehehehehe. Black lives matter, but we's all gotta pay the bills y'all!

[CageyH]

Lived in Newport as a kiddie so spent fair few weekend in Bristol, it was 'the big city' to us, lol. Nowadays with the removals I do I learn that its folk are an identikit of Brightons, that is a bunch of stinking XR rebellion trans women PC Banksy loving woke folk.

As I was born in Bristol, does that mean I am a stinking XR rebellion trans women Banksy loving woke folk?

I think someone has been on the fizzy pop a little early….

[Macca]

You don't have to explain to us why you like living in Brighton :D But why do they all love PC Banksy? Is it because he always lets them off with a warning?

I think he's a bit like Corky out of 'Sykes'.

[Pigmy Pony]

I think he's a bit like Corky out of 'Sykes'.

:D Yeah well, he was in the Desert Rats you know... bloody hell, how old are you really? That was way back in the last millennium.

[Pigmy Pony]

And don't forget Bristol's thriving music scene, Corky was in big demand :)


https://youtu.be/GWKHTcC-I8k?t=42

[Mikeandvan]

As I was born in Bristol, does that mean I am a stinking XR rebellion trans women Banksy loving woke folk?

I think someone has been on the fizzy pop a little early….

No brother, you are one of the great silent majority, gammon complexioned proud Britishers, don't let the men in dresses steal your thunder!

[Barry]

I'm closing this thread as the irrelevant drift is serving no useful purpose, save to display some Member's unqualified social prejudices.