Me and the Floating Harbour

Today's the day ........................ to go home

We returned home today  - a long but easy journey - saved from the high temperatures outside by the efficient air-conditioning in the car.  It's always nice to be home but we've had such a lovely time over the past few days with friends and family and we're still full of memories of all the things that we've seen and done.  

This is a photograph of me, taken yesterday by my cousin Bob, when he was showing us the 'Floating Harbour' area of Bristol, which transformed the city when it was opened in 1809.  It comprises some 80 acres of tidal river that was impounded to allow visiting ships to remain afloat all the time. The Harbour grew as a busy commercial port over the next two centuries until it closed in 1975. Since then, it has been regenerated for leisure, commerce and residence - and when we were there yesterday, there was a group of children learning how to handle canoes and having lots of fun in the process.

So, this one is for Bob and Françoise to say that we're now back home, safe and sound - and to thank them very much for looking after us so well and giving us such a lovely time ......................