Bristol: Rain, Rumors, and Really Weird Vibes
okay, so, i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 3117667 and 1724482447 - don’t ask, it’s a thing i saw on a wall. it just… stuck. the weather here is… there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 9.58 feels like 9.58, temp’s bouncing between 8 and 10.65, pressure’s a solid 1019, and the humidity is hovering around 57. feels like 942 at ground level, which is… unsettling.
Bristol. it’s a tangle. a beautiful, chaotic tangle of brick and graffiti and people who look like they’ve seen things. i’m staying in this tiny place near the Harbourside - it smells faintly of salt and something vaguely industrial. it’s not bad, honestly. just… intense. i stumbled across this place called ‘The Plough’, a pub that’s been around since, like, forever. the bartender, a guy named Silas, told me someone told him the best way to see the city is to just wander and get lost. which, you know, is pretty solid advice.
I spent the morning just doing that. got completely turned around near St. Nicholas Market - a sensory overload of spices, street food, and vintage clothing. I almost bought a sequined jumpsuit. almost. I’m a drummer, so i’m always on the lookout for interesting sounds, and Bristol has a surprising amount of busking. There’s this guy playing a modified steelpan - it’s like a rusty, soulful robot. It’s… hypnotic.
Speaking of markets, I overheard some really interesting gossip about a hidden speakeasy called ‘The Serpent’s Coil’. Someone told me it’s only open on Tuesdays and requires a password - apparently, it’s ‘blue heron’. I’m not going to lie, I’m intrigued. I also heard that the Clifton Suspension Bridge is haunted by the ghost of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who’s still arguing with the council about the lighting.
Here’s the lowdown on what I’ve been up to:
Gear: My trusty Roland TD-17 (still kicking), a battered Sennheiser HD25, and a camera that’s seen better days. Don’t forget a portable charger - Bristol’s Wi-Fi is… temperamental. And a waterproof jacket. Seriously.
*Food: Lots of pasties. Seriously, pasties. And a place called ‘Bakers & Co.’ - their sourdough is legendary. Check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bakers-co-bristol
*Drinks: Try the local cider. It’s strong. Really strong.
*Things to Do:* Explore the street art in Stokes Croft. It’s insane. And visit the M Shed - it’s a museum about Bristol’s history. https://www.mshd.org.uk/
I spent a couple of hours just wandering around the docks, watching the boats bobbing about. It’s a surprisingly peaceful place, despite the constant hustle and bustle of the city. If you get bored, Cardiff is just a short drive away. I’m talking, like, 45 minutes max.
I found this really cool little record shop called ‘Vinyl Frontier’ - it’s crammed full of vintage vinyl and has a resident DJ who spins classic soul and funk.
Okay, one last thing. I heard that the best place to get a decent cup of coffee is ‘Foundation Coffee’. Apparently, they roast their own beans. I’m a coffee snob, so that’s a big deal. https://foundationcoffee.co.uk/
And finally, a little something I overheard from a group of students at the Uni: “Don’t go near Brandon Hill after dark. Seriously. It’s… unsettling.”
Honestly, Bristol is just… weird. In a good way. It’s a city that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s exactly what I needed. I’m going to grab another coffee and see where the day takes me. Maybe I’ll find that speakeasy. Maybe not. Either way, it’s going to be interesting.
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