Christmas Steps

I simply had to blip Bristol's Christmas Steps in the final few days before the big day itself.

Apparently, the street has in the past had the names Queene Street, Knyfesmyth Street and Lonsford's Stairs and there are two theories as to why it is now known as Christmas Steps.

One is that it developed from the middle English pronunciation of Knyfesmyth, with the K sounded. The other is that is based on the nativity scene found in a stained glass window of The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne at the top of the steps.

Today it is home to shops, pubs and a fish and chip shop that has been there for over 100 years.

We climbed the steps on the way back from attending the service at Bristol's oldest Roman Catholic Church - St Mary-on-the-Quay.

It's a striking building - neoclassical design with a portico and huge Greek Corinthian columns. Unfortunately, the service didn't quite match the impressive architecture.

Sadly for the fourth Sunday of Advent, there were no more than 40 people there and approximately three of them seemed to be singing - the priest, my wife and me.

The hymns were full of joy about the coming of Jesus Christ, but you left the church feeling more disappointed than uplifted.

We've nearly knocked the Christmas shopping on the head, I'm relieved to report. We had a fun time again exploring the city's shops and markets, but the old legs are aching and a glass of mulled wine is most welcome.