Weekend with Bibi, Part 2!

Saturday morning Bibi took me to Primark (which is essentially what H&M was here 5 years ago, I guess; read: really cheap but decenttt trendy clothes). We went in search of hats for church, but came out with ... other things. Here is Bibi admiring our new knock-off Royal engagement rings.

We got a little overwhelmed in the 3-storey Primark, so we had a glass of wine at a cafe on a old sail boat moored along the quay - I only JUST learnt this is pronounced 'key,' dear god.

I've also just realized that I am wearing my stupid horse blazer in EVERY picture we took this weekend.

I took Bibi to the Arnolfini for brunch (it was weird being the 'tour guide,' as Bibi had never been to Bristol).

My bubble and Squeek, Bibi's gazpacho.

We then headed up Park Street to Clifton. I hadn't stopped to look carefully in any of the shops before. Bibi showed me what is now my favourite place on earth, the Cath Kidston store. (Mom/Kyra have already given me a pair of crafting scissors from here - I will have to start a collection now).

House-wiving supplies:

For Lily, Kate?:

Bibi had an excellent idea which was to buy all the good weekend papers and lie in another sunny park.

Clifton is the NICEST.

This is type of home that is found in Clifton. I love how carefully parked/positioned these two Mercedes are:

Not sure why we didn't buy these, for only 60p.

Sunday we went to Church for Easter at the giant Bristol Cathedral. We wore Easter dresses and flowers in our hair and I was sort of bummed when they specifically stated that adults could not join in on the Easter egg hunt and instead had to listen to the sermon. But, it was very beautiful and nice and definitely ... an experience. We were 'blessed' instead of taking communion, which I thought was nice - they didn't leave those of us 'living in sin' out entirely.

In our Sunday best:

After church it was BACK to the Arnolfini for chocolate croissants and coffee by the quay.

Then to the College Green for Pimm's & Lemonade (in a can!) and more Easter eggs.

Bibi had to catch her train that afternoon, so we said goodbye. But I'll be seeing her again when I visit her new place in London next month! Today I have been recuperating from my exciting weekend. I can't believe I am halfway through my internship already - all these holidays are making it go by SO quickly.

Weekend with Bibi, Part 1

Bibi came to visit me from Bournemouth! She arrived Thursday night and I took her to the Porto Lounge I found last week for a late night snack. Friday morning we took the train to Bath.

We had tea and crumpets at The Pump Room. "Regarded as the social heart of bath for more than two centuries, the Pump Room is a striking neo-classical salon where hot Spa water is drawn for drinking." It's also mentioned by Jane Austen in Persuasion and/or Northanger Abbey. The Spa water tasted like.. warm water, and made us feel sort of odd. The tea was better.

We did nottt go into the Roman Baths, as there were about a million tourists inside thanks to the long weekend. But we peered at them from the window of the Pump Room.

Cute bunting is EVERYWHERE for the Royal Wedding. I willlll buy some before I leave:

We went into a kitchen store to find champagne glasses for our picnic (which we did find, for 45p) and I found a GIANT wall of Le Creuset. It seems so cheap here? The big, big pots are £145/$228.

We went to the Jane Austen Centre, which is a few doors down the street from where the Austens lived. Sort of a rip off, but sort of one of those things you ought to do.

A framed letter from Jane to her sister, Cassandra:

I liked this plaque at the bottom of a painting. "Probably."

IT WAS SO WARM OUT, AGAIN. We bought our picnic supplies and walked along the river in search of a shady park to hide in.

Our picnic included: Marks & Spencer Brie (£1), aged cheddar (also £1), melon and prosciutto, humous, sugar peas, Buck's Fizz, and chocolate mini eggs.

Opening the Buck's.

Afterward we headed to the spa which was incredible and nothing like I expected! We sat in a rooftop pool surrounded by cathedral spires and old buildings just as the sun was setting. Then we went for sparkling lemon-ginger and elderflower juices, then to sit in steam rooms scented with lavender and eucalyptus. Sort of ridiculous(ly nice).

We took the train back to Bristol/Fishponds, then cuddled in bed sipping wine and eating Jaffa Cakes while watching Sense and Sensibility. Eeeee.

Easter Holiday

Yesterday I was hand delivered this 'furry Easter friend!'

And this afternoon ...

A BOX. A case? 6 bottles. Of Bucks Fizz.

I think they may be trying to get me fired from my not-job!?

I discretely gave a couple of bottles away to my favourite coworkers. But the rest are for Bibi and I to tackle this weekend!

Thank youuuu M & D, K and Bailey.

So cute.

xoxoxo

Sunday: English Breakfast

Sunday I decided I deserved a day to sleep in/do nothing, so around noon I wandered up Fishponds Road to the 'Porto Lounge,' which sounds swanky, but is actually the cutest, most comfy little cafe/bar with wooden everything. I ordered the full breakfast and a pint (my first since I arrived, I think?) and it was THE BEST. The hashbrowns look sort of sad but they were very light and tasty, and no I did not touch the black pudding.

Guess what was hiding under my toast! A teeny pot of beans!

I decided to linger for a while, while I did my 'homework' for work (which was learning the house style guide) and sipped on a Stella (I may be in England, but I refuse to drink anything darker).

I also thought I should brush up on my Jane Austen, as Bibi and I are going to Bath next weekend! She has even booked her train!

The Porto has a 'community book swap' shelf, as well as a collection of board games. I lovelovelove the worn tables/chairs.

I also love that you could easily come here and order a coffee and a muffin (they had fresh baked pastries), OR a round of drinks/beers with friends. Such a relaxed atmosphere. They played good music, too; Stereophonics, which always reminds me of England.

I walked home though a little park and churchyard.

It was a really cute/relaxing Sunday; sort of just what I needed.

Weekend #2!

Saturday morning I met May (who is Kyra's friend and a director at the publishing company) in Clifton for brunch at the Primrose Cafe. This waffle was, in all honesty, one of the best things I have ever eaten. The sun even came out (again!) while we sipped on tea/orange juice and talked about books. Afterward I wandered down the hill back into town.

It's hard not to find adorable houses everywhere in Clifton - I'm really into some of the door 'hardware' / I think I may start collecting pictures of things like this bee knocker.

And this letter slot:

And this giant lion:

I stopped to see what a crowd of people were pointing at and spied some Banksy. Apparently some of the paint splatters are new and people were trying to decide if it was Banksy or 'vandalism.' Hard to tell (is that the point?? hehe).

(Banksy is from Bristol, FYI).

A tourist-y 'snap' of the cathedral in town:

This is inside the public library, which wasn't really as nice inside as it looked from the outside, but I liked the paint colour in the stairwells:

I seem to have established a 'favourite spot' downtown by the river , which is where I head when I need to sit down/organize myself

Some swans came to visit? I have no idea where they came from but I was sort of worried about them what with all the river boats coming in/out.

It was a nice touch, though, Bristol.

I found the Arnolfini art center/gallery; admission is free so I poked around a bit. I got really into these postcards by an artist, David Shrigley. I have no idea why I find them so funny:

The centre has a really great little cafe. The food looked delicccccious, but I was still full of best-waffle-ever, so I only ordered a cappuchino..

You can't tell from this picture, but the river is right behind me. I sat here and read for a while until a family with a million screaming children sat down. Children shouting at each other with tiny British accents are only marginally less annoying than regular children.

I headed back toward the bus and went to find St. Nicholas Markets, but found a silly car show a long the way. This picture is for Dad; there were a million vintage Fiats and Alfa Romeos and ???

When I finally found the markets, I found books! Look at this cute little stall:

Inside I found this: !

It's from 1933 and it's in terrible condition, but it has really nice full-colour plates and I really like the typesetting inside, and it was only £3. The pages are THICK, fluffy old paper and smell great.

And inside I found a little drawing of some jams.

The end.