A pilgrimage across southern England

[armstrong]

Has your daughter been back before?

My daughter's 8 and never been to England. I'm pretty sure her idea of what it is is completely warped as well. We'll have to do London/Norwich with her sometime soon just to get it out of her system.

I've only been back for a total of 2 weeks in 13 years so a kebab would be nice I guess

[Gambler]

I would strongly suggest a trip to that shrine of football known as Ashton Gate.....and a day trip to see the SS Great Britain

[Mendip]

^ I haven't been to Ashton Gate since the 1990s... I watched Joe Jordan come on for his last ever appearance... city had run out of players so Big Joe got off the manager's seat and joined the attack. I can also remember watching city play Chelsea at Ashton Gate (in the FA cup I think). The Chelsea supporters were throwing pound coins at the city end and laughing as we picked them up (I did quite well, if I remember correctly).

I think I also watched city play Liverpool in the early 80s... back in their glory years (well, year). My mum grew up in Bedminster so I've always been a city supporter.

Would there be any football going on in July / August? The SS Great Britain is on the list, as will be a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another of Brunel's masterpieces.

^ the night glows are unforgetable and certainly more professional than the first i went to in 82. She'll love it.

I can combine it one of many trips into Bristol to see family mate. I believe it's at Clifton Court, just across from the Leigh Woods side of the suspension bridge?

Has your daughter been back before?

She's been to the UK several times, but only ever at Christmas. This will be her first ever summer trip and the first time I've spent any time back there in the summer for around 20 years. I must admit I'm looking forward to long evenings... one of the things I miss when living in Thailand.

Another thing on my list will be a day's fly fishing from a boat on Blagdon Lake, something I haven't done for around 25 years. I just hope my tackle is still OK... it's been in my mum's garage all that time.

[malmomike77]

Ashton Court, where they used to have the music festivals, or may still do but yes right near thr suspension bridge.

[malmomike77]

Summer Trip... now perhaps take her fruit picking, only an hour and she can gorge on strawberries etc, Thais love the and there must be some pick your own farms near, Wilts has loads.

[Mendip]

^ The southern slopes of the Mendips are world famous for strawberries... before Beeching closed it, the railway line through Cheddar was called 'The Strawberry Line', used to get strawberries to the London market on the same day as picking. Sadly I think June is the strawberry month, July/August will be too late.

Maybe raspberries? It'll be too early to go apple scrumping.

[malmomike77]

Annnnd, given her age she may want to buy some uk girlie clothes although you may not be best placed to shop with her - offload her to some women for an afternoon in Bristol for some girl time.

[Mendip]

Ashton Court

Yeah, that's what I meant... not 'Clifton Court', of course. It's been a long time.

There's a good pitch and putt golf course there as well, I used to play on.

^ I can go sandal shopping with the best of them... but you're right, maybe she'd enjoy a day's clothes shopping with the sisters.

[malmomike77]

^^ thr season may be still ok or fook it go cheap ealy/mid Aug and go blackberry picking

[Stumpy]

Another thing on my list will be a day's fly fishing

While I don't miss all that much being away from the states fly fishing and camping along a river is one of them. The crisp mornings, getting my waders on, trekking out to a nice slow moving section and casting away. Many times I have been fly fishing on the Trinity River in California and beautiful black bears come down to drink water and fish while I am. Amazing. Then hook up a 8 to 12lb Steelhead or Salmon on their way up to spawn is just outstanding fun. Bring it into the shallows, remove the fly and send it back on its way and Thank it for the time.

I still have all my gear but when I visit now, simply no time

[Mendip]

^ How did life become so busy mate? I don't seem to have time for anything, any more.

[Neverna]

Maybe raspberries? It'll be too early to go apple scrumping.

Blackcurrants.

I used to enjoy blackcurrant picking as a lad. Got paid by the bucket and you could eat as many as you like. I think it's all mechanised now, though.

[Stumpy]

^ How did life become so busy mate? I don't seem to have time for anything, any more.

I don't know Mendy. Life just gets busy and sometimes complicated. Priorities change and those things we liked to do for ourselves get shelved. I always tell myself....at least I got to do them versus never having the chance.

I always had this thought I would end up living in Montana or NE Colorado and fish and relax having a nice little house with a few acres in small town. I ended up in Thailand with a modest house in a small town with a few acres right on a river......with no fish.

[Bonecollector]

Brunel's masterpieces

Absolute legend

[Bonecollector]

I always had this thought I would end up living in Montana or NE Colorado and fish and relax having a nice little house with a few acres in

I was looking at land prices in Montana, gone up just a tad since the last time I looked about a decade ago.

[Joe 90]

but you're right, maybe she'd enjoy a day's clothes shopping with the sisters

Give her £100 and point her in the direction of Primark.

It's were all the kids shop .

[Gambler]

^ I haven't been to Ashton Gate since the 1990s... I watched Joe Jordan come on for his last ever appearance... city had run out of players so Big Joe got off the manager's seat and joined the attack. I can also remember watching city play Chelsea at Ashton Gate (in the FA cup I think). The Chelsea supporters were throwing pound coins at the city end and laughing as we picked them up (I did quite well, if I remember correctly).

I think I also watched city play Liverpool in the early 80s... back in their glory years (well, year). My mum grew up in Bedminster so I've always been a city supporter.

Crikey, the Gate has been completely refurbished since you were last there and a new training ground built in Failand.

Would there be any football going on in July / August? The SS Great Britain is on the list, as will be a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, another of Brunel's masterpieces.

Yes, the EFL fixtures are starting on July 30th - a bit earlier than usual due to the world cup.

[Shutree]

I just hope my tackle is still OK... it's been in my mum's garage all that time.

Was this a factor in the wife's decision not to join your trip?

[Mendip]

^ I don't think that's the reason Shutree, my wife appreciates vintage tackle. It's well made, is tried and trusted and has staying power, unlike a lot of the new stuff around these days. I caught a lot of trout with that tackle back in the day. I think the wife just didn't fancy spending six weeks continuously with me in the UK.

Her loss, of course.

Yes, the EFL fixtures are starting on July 30th - a bit earlier than usual due to the world cup.

Thanks Gambler, added to the list. It's about time the daughter went to a live, top flight football match. I have a feeling that next season could be City's year.

[David48atTD]

Can we have a Map please?

[Mendip]

^ Yes, no problem David1:50,000atTD.

What exactly would you like a map of? And at what scale?

[Joe 90]

I think this is what David and Mendip have in mind..



Personally I'd cycle the route, not drive.

[OhOh]

Personally I'd cycle the route, not drive.

I suspect his daughter may differ with that choice of transportation. Even if there would be more choices of a decent Cornish pasty to be had.

[Mendip]

^ I havn't got a bike, anyway.

[Joe 90]

^ I havn't got a bike, anyway.

I'll lend you a couple mate,my garage is like a tour de france pit stop.

You booked any hotels for London yet?

The prices even at the moment for West London in a Travelodge are starting at £200 a night!