Bristol Summer Festivities

Date: 1 - 3 Aug

I bring to you the famous Balloon Festival of Bristol.

Nah, just kidding. The Balloon Festival is next week. Instead, this is the Bristol Harbor Festival. From Queen Square in the Bristol Old City (where I lives) all the way to the S.S. Great Britain, both sides of the river is packed with people, boats, stalls and colorful events.

Although the weather forecast predicted shower and the sky indeed looked gloomy in the morning, the clouds cleared by 11am and the blue sky was particularly gorgeous. Knowing the scarcity of sunshine in the UK, many people sat down on the grass on Queen Square to enjoy drinks and camaraderie (which by nightfall may well have become revelry.)

The first attraction I visited was the Earl of Pembroke, a beautiful historical tall ship that was a frequent participant in marine festivals, used for seamanship training as well as for filming.

The ship was stationed strategically beside Arnolfini. From aboard, many of the demonstration and performance on the water can be seen clearly.

One such performance that I witness while on the Earl is this spectacular display by the Pyronaunt. The historical fireboat normally mooring at the Floating Harbor can be unassuming but having seen it in action, my perception of it will never be the same again. As it spirals and spins gracefully, sending sprays into the spectators on the bank, it is virtually a giant mobile fountain.

I really enjoyed the banter with one of the crews on the Earl. One of the most dangerous thing to operate on the ship is actually called a widowmaker. As the defining feature of square rigged tall ships, going aloft to set and stow sails is one of the duties. With possible gale force wind up there during storms, she did elaborate on the safety measures.

Fancy your hands at the steering wheel? Another safety measures I learn is to always face the steps while descending or ascending it.

Walking towards S.S. Great Britain and looking towards the Amphitheater, many ships mooring there can be see. The waterway was particularly busy with ferries and boats giving tours and cruises. Some who are more athletic opted to engage with more physical water locomotions.

Everywhere you turn, you will not fail to see boats and ships. It was quite a grand view, more ships than usual by perhaps at least twice. As they rest side by side neatly by the dock, many of the owners can be seen sitting outside enjoying the true summer sun.

While flowers and decorative and nationalistic flags are common decorations, here is a cute one I saw. Say hello to the waving dolls.

The (replica of) Matthew, the ship sailed by John Cabot to Newfoundland close to 510 years prior has moved closer to the Floating Harbor and further from the S.S. Great Britain during the festival.

The golden brown ship is smaller than the Earl, but the stout historical ship is no less impressive than her giant metallic counterparts nearby.

The normal place where the Matthew is moored was taken by the military HMS Gay Archer, also opened to visitors.

Along the path between the two, there are 'singing sailors', nautical souvenirs on sale, as well as people dressing up in period costume, particularly noteworthy is the actor of Mr. Isambard Kingdom Brunnel himself.

I enjoyed the detail tour given by the veteran aboard the Archer, as we are shown around from the weaponries to the cabins and engines.

This photo is thanks to a fellow visitor I met. This projectile will require at least 2 person to man, as the side I'm on, controls the flat rotation, while the opposite side adjusts the arc's angle.

On the opposite bank of the Matthew, by the At Bristol Discovery Center, many performances are held. There is this man in rabbit suit handing balloons in many shapes and sizes. I've seen those looking like rabbit ears as well as big extravagant turbans.

A few steps from the rabbit-balloon-shaper, you have the circus performance. What do you think of these outrageous costumes? I would see the practicality of them on a hot day like yesterday. (It is only hot when the wind isn't blowing. If you stand by the water's edge, the wind can still chill and numb your hands and face.)

As I haven't spend much time on this side of the bank, I've only manage to see the performance by the Black Eagles (A group of 4 acrobats) and the one by the young Maddy (below).

On this side of the bank, there is also the Kaskelot, a tall ship similar to the Earl and the Dance Village, with performances ranging from more contemporary ones to more traditional ones as well.

One of the other thing that I enjoyed very much about this event is dogs. Many visitors brought their dogs along. There are small Chihuahua in handbags and then there are sausage-like Dachshund, huskies etc. I finally manage to pet a brown Alsation. I think this is as close as I will get to petting a wolf. I doubt a stranger wolf will even allow me to get this near. However, Newfoundland was the breed that stole the show.

These massive water dog (with webbed paws) are employed as lifedogs, working alongside lifeguards. A demonstration was done to show the dog's prowess in the water. A single dog is strong enough to tow the boat you see in the photo above just by itself.

In terms of size, I will describe these chronic droolers as close to St Bernard. These friendly giants are in fact very playful and energetic when they are not spread flat on the floor loafing.

Very lovely dogs. This one is a puppy, still possible to carry on our shoulders. In a few more months, it will outgrow a bear cub.

After resting for a few hours back in the flat, I went back to the venue which is a brief 3 minutes walk away. By nightfall, the various stalls around Queen Square took on a different atmosphere reminiscent of the Pasar Malam (night markets) in Malaysia. Enna, my Japanese companion yesterday night was in the foreground.

Closer to the riverside, what is normally a gray street is now a psychedelic theme park. From adrenaline pumping rides to miniature fairy's wheel, Merry-go-round, conventional theme park challenges with humongous soft toys as rewards etc. Alas, this carnival will only last the night.

By the time I reach Bush House, the quayside was packed with people anticipating the fireworks displays. Here is the Earl, looking quite different in the dark.

The musical firework performance is great. It went on fro quite a while and are very beautiful. I wasn't at too convenient a vantage point to take pictures.

This is not the first time I've seen spectacular fireworks. However, this is the nearest I stood to witness it. The colorful fire rays are shot just across the river from us. There is something special to witness its full glory and hear its deafening bangs in this distant. Tinted smokes, glittering dust and the flash of grand explosion will always capture the excitement of festivities and send you blood running.

After the fireworks, the crowds begin to disperse, or rather move towards the pubs' directions. The lights on the performance stages as well as those on many boats are dimmed. Yet there are those who stayed on their decorated floating homes to celebrate the fine evening.

Finally, as we leave the harbor front, I saw Mr Mario coming out from Watershed. So even the red and blue plumber was here! Besides him, many party goes and festival attendees dressed up as well, most of them as pirates. I had seen Caesar with a roman woman and his legion once.

A good day and fine experience of an English summer, something decidedly Bristol in an annual event that has been held for decades.