James Leaves Bristol for Germany

Hi all,

I am finally leaving Bristol, the Kingswood Partnership, Jana and all the people I’ve met and befriended, in order to continue my travels as originally planned. What started as a 3-day work/visit to Bristol has resulted in what has now become over 5 months here. In other words I’ve been here too long that I’ve become attached to people, the place and my life here that I am quite sad to leave. It's like closing a chapter of my life forever, but one that has taught me a lot about English/Bristol life and culture. People reckon I’ve even picked up the "r's" of the Bristol accent.

Anyway here are some notes about Bristol life:

Firstly, their accent is very thick and can be hard to understand. In fact it can be likened to a pirate accent (could have something to do with Bristols seaside history – but then they used to be slave traders not pirates - which naturally is a touchy subject ) For example, they tend to end sentences with a "yaw" sound, eg, Australia becomes Austrai-e-yaw, Bristol is Bris-taw and so on.

Some words and phrases common to the Bristol people:

Muppet = fool. eg "you Muppet!"
Lush = really nice. "that looks really lush!"
Safe = you're cool, ok. "you're safe!"
Fish'lot = Fish and Chips

Bristol is part of the South West of England, which is an area famous for Avon, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall (Cornish people). Their history leads back to the romanticism of the King Arthur Legends, the Holy Grail, Druids and Stonehenge, and lets not forget Jane Austen who lived in Bath.

However these days South West people are thought of as "backward", "simple" and "cider drinkers". The cider drinking is true though, as the South West is known for it's Apple Ciders, Cornish pasties (which I’ve yet to try), good beaches and surfing (as best you can get in England anyways), and lets not forget the "Wurzels" - an old comical music band that sang songs from the South West best sung in pubs, such as "Drink up thy Zider" (drink up your cider) and so forth.

Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to visit Cornwall, the only time I’ve been down there was to go bird watching with John at 4am at the coast of Halle to look at an American robin (which is common in America but rare in these parts). We did end up finding it and watched it for a good hour before it got disturbed by a herd of cows, which pretty sums up the South West for you.

I finally got to try out the famed Bristol nightlife! Went to places around the city centre, down Corn Street and Colston Avenue to places like "The Commercial Rooms" which was a bank building now turned into a bar. The room is a huge domed high roofed place, it's like you're drinking in an old town building or main school hall! There is no music but there is cheap alcohol so it's a good place to drink and chat before going to the real clubby places....

There are other places such as "Worx", "Evolution" and "Carling Academy" which is where I went with Donna (friend from pub) one night. (Carling is a type of lager here and my replacement for Carlton Draught) Not a bad place, a big open area with multiple levels/balconies/bars overlooking the crowd below. I think the Carling pints were £1 each (compared to the pub I work at which costs £2.35).

Also went to the famed "80s Bar" with Nigel (friend from pub) which was tacky (as the 80's was) but lots of fun! After all I am a child of the 80's! Also went to the "UWE", the Bristol university/college bar and club with Tom (son of Nick, a friend of mine through John) and his mates, was lots of fun, with the club upstairs playing commercial music.

When I first got here I didn't like the taste of Ales. They are warm and flat and remind me of beer being left out overnight in a warm room. But now I’ve grown fond of them.

Some ales I’ve tried:
· Bath Ales - nice, cool, you can taste the limestone-saturated water that bath is known for in it.
· Courage Best Bitter - has a bit of kick to it, was my favourite until I tried London Pride last night.
· London Pride - Very smooth ale.
· Theakston Old Peculiar - malty, strong full bodied, dark and smooth.
· Spitfire - strong ale from Kent, lagerish, is pale red tinge coloured
· Bishops Finger - same as spitfire but dark coloured
· Badger Golden Champion Ales - strong but nice.

English foods I’ve tried:
· Mr Kipling Bakewell slices - rectangle almond flavoured sponge slices with jam topped with white and brown icing. Yum.
· McVities Mc-V Classic Rich Tea Biscuits.
· Tunnocks Tea Cakes - Marshmallow on a biscuit base covered with chocolate.
· PG Tips - popular English brand of tea.
· Kipper's - fish, not bad, salty, wouldn't want to eat it again though

So, what have I been up to? Pretty much working at the pub and schools as usual. Did go down to Dorset last week for some work in a private English school called "Bryanston". Very big school/grounds, they charge heaps to go there. It reminds me of a "Dead Poets Society" school, but not as traditional or rigid. I've been told they do have some eccentric English teachers though but not ones that would jump on top of their desks yelling "Carpe Diem" unfortunately.

Did stay the night in a nice B&B, after having dinner with friends of Phillip (who works for AT Computers, a reseller for Etechgroup). These friends live in a place in Wimbourne called "Happy Bottom". Yes the English are indeed eccentric!

Did experience a few snowfalls, walked home in one very excited and got all covered in snowflakes so I had to take a photo! I'm such a kid sometimes. I'm lucky though, it hasn't snowed for several years and I happen to be in Bristol when it does!

Did throw an Aussie BBQ as a farewell party, meaning it was held in cold weather at night (as Aussie have barbies regardless of weather). It was a success, with all sorts of meat, chicken, vege burgers and a huge cod that Nick caught fishing the last week.

Also had a final gathering at the Dolphin pub (my local pub, not the Wishing Well) for last drinks with friends and some good ol' karaoke

Spent last night with Jana to say farewell. We are staying friends. We have plans to meet up in London in 3 weeks time when I come back from Berlin as she will be coming back from Slovakia (as she's going there to visit relatives/friends). Jana has plans to come down to Australia at some later stage. So does Tom and Donna, so some of you might end up meeting the very people I talk about

This is my final day working at the school, having been taken to lunch by Jez and Tony (the managers) to a local pub called "The Griffin". Afterwards I will say farewell to some of the students and teachers I’ve grown close to and then make my way down to Hanover via bus/plane/bus/train overnight. As a result I won't be getting any sleep tonight.

Anyway, my plans are to work for Etechgroup at the CeBit technology show in Hanover Germany for a week, then spend one week in Berlin's museums, nightlife and sights. Then it's a week in London preparing for my big 7-month stint across Europe, starting with Easter in Lisbon, Portugal, ending with Greece in late October. Scary fun times ahead. Fingers crossed I can do it hey?

Thus closes this chapter of my life. Next time you hear from me I’ll be in Germany!

Auf Wiedersehen!
James