20/12/2014

Bristol Christmas Market

After the SS Great Britain Wilson was anxious to see IKB's famous Clifton Suspension Bridge then, as night began to fall, Bristol Xmas Markets. 

Here he bought some souvenir German Xmas Market Gingerbread for everyone back at home.



19/12/2014

A Kodak Moment!

Wilson's eyes lit up when, in the SS Great Britain Museum, we entered the dressing-up room!

He immediately bagged the tallest top-hat and struck what he assured me was a typical Isambard Kingdom Brunel-esque pose, pointing out that, without his famous hat, Mr Isambard was only about the same height as him. 

As you probably know, I'm not keen in appearing in photos, but W insisted that we have a Family Portrait taken, and asked one of the other visitors to take our picture together.

Examining the image later, I assured Wilson that, in a poor light, he could easily be mistaken for Mr Brunel.

We've had a lovely time on the SS Great Britain, but now it's time to move on — next stop is Brunel's Clifton Suspension Bridge, then on to the City Centre for Bristol's Xmas Markets!


18/12/2014

First Class Accommodation!

Having inspected the first-class cabins, I decided that I wouldn't have wanted to spend three months on board travelling to Australia.

When we saw the magnificent Saloon, however, Wilson exclaimed, 'This is more like it!' and sat down at the banquet table, got out his Sea Pass (which he rarely travels without) and waved it in the air, calling, 'Bar Service, please! Bar Service!'

While he was waiting for the Bar Service That Never Arrived, he let slip that he had asked Father Xmas for everyone in Uckfield to get a kazoo, so he can start a Kazoo Orchestra.

The Galley and Bakery were right next door to the Saloon, and for some reason were extremely smelly. W said he'd mention this to the Steward once he found him.
 

17/12/2014

Xmas problem...

Once I'd pried Wilson away from the steering wheel (I expect it's got a nautical name, but neither of us know it) we went underneath the ship to examine the propeller, then below decks to have a look at the engines.

While we gazed, mesmerised, at the stately steel wheels slowly turning I asked W whether he'd written his Xmas List yet, and he said it was written and safely posted to Father Xmas.

I subtly questioned him about what he'd asked for, but he said that was a private matter between him and Father Xmas.

That will make buying Xmas presents for him tough — it's never easy buying gifts for an anteater who already has access to your VISA card…


16/12/2014

Wilson steers the great vessel...

Now, when it seems so tiny against modern vessels, it's difficult to comprehend that the SS Great Britain was once described as 'The Greatest Experiment Since The Creation'! 

Even by modern standards, though, it's extremely impressive, and Wilson enjoyed pretending to steer it, shouting commands like, 'Full Astern, Scottie!' and 'Raise the Mainsail — make it so, Mr Riker!'

Next he wants to go 'belowdecks' to see the propellor and the engines, while I'm looking forward to seeing the cabins.


15/12/2014

SS Great Britain

As Wilson requested, our first port of call was at Bristol Dockyard to see the SS Great Britain. 

(Port of Call — did you see what I did there? Oh.)

On our way there he confided to me that if Mr Isambard was on board he intended to ask for his autograph, and I had to break the news that not only was he dead, he had been so for more that 150 years. 

After a minute's thought, W said he would have sent flowers if only he'd known.

The SS Great Britain, having been fully restored, is hugely impressive, and we both really enjoyed ourselves touring the ship and the associated museum and dockyard. W said it was easily as good as HMS Belfast which we both visited a year or so ago, although with fewer guns.

We both agreed that SS Great Britain is a Top Attraction!


14/12/2014

Breakfast is the Most Important Meal!

Wilson read through all the Tourist Information Leaflets last night and decided that today he'd like to visit the SS Great Britain in Bristol Docks.

The most important preparation for such activity is apparently to have an enormous and extravagant breakfast. 

I could only manage a croissant and black coffee, having been awake most of the night with Wilson reading aloud to me from the leaflets...