Open studios...

Last weekend we took a short stroll from home to our local open studios at Spike Island.

Opening once a year to the public, it is a treat to wander from studio to studio and feel so inspired.

The studio collective houses a great mix of painters, sculptors, contemporary and classic art all under one roof.  Each studio a real working space, warts and all.  I loved the paint splats and the crazy objects everywhere.

The boys ran from studio to studio, shouting out 'come and see this!' - we couldn't help to find their enthusiasm infectious.  

Leaving, scooting back across the bridge to home, Rufus told me he wanted a studio to paint and draw and make a mess!

Lets hope he does.

Harts Bakery...

Yesterday, whilst the boys were at school, Dan and I stole a precious hour for lunch together in the sunshine.  Something we don't get to do very often. We chose to wander down to Temple Meads Railway Station in Bristol to eat at a hidden gem.

Harts Bakery resides in an old railway arch beneath the station.  Beautifully renovated, painted in a pale jade colour tongue & groove, it houses the kitchen bakery, renowned around these parts for the best baked sour dough and sumptuous custard tarts.  Plus a small cafe area where customers can eat the baked treats with the best coffee care of Extract.  

Dan and I sat in the April sunshine, and devoured a pancetta and blue cheese pasty (him) and spiced lentil soup (me).. served with crusty sour dough bread.  It was bliss.

The first I learnt of Harts Bakery was a few months back when my father in law attended the Bread & Breakfast Workshop.  Saturday evening he went along and learnt how to make a Sour Dough loaf, croissants and pastries.  The next morning he returned to bake them after a night of prooving.  

We were lucky to sample his hard work, by having brunch delivered, eager to share the fruits of his days work.  The standard of his baking was incredible and doubly delicious.  Rufus remarked that they were still warm...mmmmm.

(and yes The Dude Abides - The Big Lebowski)

Another Escape...

I love magazines.  I love independent, interesting reads.  I keep copies of them like treasure, stored in piles on bookshelves or stacked high next to my bed.  Firm favourites are Kinfolk, Oh Comely, The Simple Things and Bristol based Lionheart.

Bristol is fast becoming a creative hub for wonderful independent mags.  Earlier this year saw the launch of foodie/travel bi-annual magazine Cereal.  Much like Kinfolk this British born publication is stylishly photographed, well written and printed on the lovely smelling uncoated paper.  Have a look at their small film created to celebrate Issue 1.

Vol.1 - Pine Cone from Cereal on Vimeo.

You may or may not recognise it was shot in our very own Leigh Woods here in Bristol.  The very same spot where Rufus had his 5th Birthday party.

Another Bristol made newbie is Another Escape.  An independent lifestyle/travel magazine which ticks all my boxes.  Beautiful articles, amazing photography and oh so delicious to hold.  I was lucky enough to meet Rachel and Jody this week, the talented duo behind Another Escape. Their combined force of great writing and photography makes this publication really stand out.  Issue 1 is available to buy on-line now, a chance for you to start at the beginning of it's journey.

At home, I am not alone with my love of Bristol based indie mags. Dan hoards copies of Boneshaker like his life depends on it.  This small 'zine' like mag, celebrates the wonderful things that happen when people and bikes come together. As they put it: 'we're about freedom, friendship and adventure - the human side of cycling'.

So... do you need something for the weekend? :)  
Go grab yourself a copy of Bristol's finest reads.

Where to buy:
Lionheart
Cereal 
Another Escape
Boneshaker

Spring?

Close to the city centre, tucked up behind one of the main shopping streets, lies one of Bristol's treasures, Brandon Hill.  If have ever been to Bristol you will recognise the iconic sight of Cabot Tower on the Bristol skyline.   

Yesterday, the cold wind stopped for just a while and allowed the gentle heat of the April sun to warm our faces. After returning the boys library books we wandered slowly up Park Street for lunch at  Boston Tea Party and then on to Brandon Hill for a wild play. 

The view from the top of the hill is awesome, far reaching across the city.  We spent a while looking for our house and then the boys school.  Soon the lure of an ice-cream called from the Veedoublemoo van - Rufus' eyes stood on stalks at the sight of his smartie covered ice-cream. It was delicious and tasted all that better as it was the first ice-cream of the year.

The boys hill rolled down the steep slope to the play park below.. whilst I sat on the grass and soaked up the sun.  Oh and we met Spiderman too - apparently he likes climbing and ice-creams as well.

Spring?  Is this really you?

Half term planning...

So Half Term is next week... we are really looking forward to it in this house.  Long slow days filled with eating pancakes, lego building, and adventuring.  And we need it too. Charlie is exhausted, he's limping towards Friday, each morning is becoming more of struggle to get up.  But he is being so good, hardly any moaning.  Rufus is off home again.  High temperature and achy limbs.  I am seriously fed up with viruses!

So... onto some serious Half Term planning.  I like to mix up the days, some with high adventure followed by a slow lego and pyjama day.

Here are a few things we are looking forward to doing:

• Celebrate the Chinese New Year on Sunday 10th at the Mshed
• Attend the Bristol Zoo Wildabout Forest School for a day fire buiding, and playing in the mud.
• A romp in the woods at our local National Trust Tyntesfield
• Visit the Theatre
• A trip to the Cinema with friends to see Wreck it Ralph
• Make a mountain of pancakes for Shrove Tuesday (12th)
• Dig up the allotment and prepare for Spring (this will be me, the boys will just play probably!)
• Craft on cold rainy days - using the wonderful on-line resource Mr Printables

I hope this will occupy them!  What are you planning this Half Term, please share your tips on entertaining your kids... we could all do with as many good ideas as we can!

I am of course hoping for mild and sunshine filled days, we could all do with some of those.

x

learning about bridges...

Charlie has been learning about Isambard Kingdom Brunel at school.  He has visited the SS Great Britain recently on a school trip, so this weekend as part of his homework we visited Brunel's other great engineering masterpiece - the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

On a beautiful day the view is incredible, stretching for miles across the city.

In the sunshine we watched the cars as small as ants drive underneath us, gazed out trying to spot our house. We also estimated the height of each pillar, counted the number of wires that hold the road up and spotted a love padlock.  Jacob loves Jenny - so romantic!

x

Norman Parkinson exhibition..

 

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the opening party of the Norman Parkinson exhibition at the MShed.
Norman Parkinson was Britain's most significant fashion photographer during the 1950's and 60's.
The exhibition was fantastic, his photography incredible.  The dresses stunning.
I loved the Sanderson wallpaper which was used to reflect each change in fashion and style.
Many of the guests came dressed in 50's clothes, all very Mad Men.
The exhibition runs until April. If you are in the area it's well worth a visit.  As is Mshed, and it's beautiful location on Bristol Harbour side.
Thanks Mel for inviting me!
x

♥ Bristol

Fifty Fifty web advert 2012 - Korahn Gayle from GN FILMS on Vimeo.

Shows the beauty of Bristol from the street level.
I love it!

sunshine walk around the docks..

Thank you so much for your lovely comments yesterday.
Feeling so much better, I had a few hours to myself to wander down the local shops and not have the boys to look after... AND the sun was shining which always helps.
This afternoon we went for a walk (boys on their bikes) around the docks.
God it was beautiful.
I feel so very lucky to live in this gorgeous city.
Bristol rocks.
x