Lazily drifting through these post-Christmas days. We walked over the Clifton suspension bridge, built in 1864 to link Clifton to Leigh Woods over the Avon Gorge. It was closed for only the second time ever on 30th December when Storm Frank swept in. The sun was setting as we walked back and the lights were coming on in the beautiful houses on Sion Hill.
The middle boy has had a good couple of days. On New Year's Eve we found an excellent fishing shop that was open in the afternoon, so he invested his Christmas money, carefully gathered from generous friends, relatives and Father Christmas, and bought himself a fishing rod together with the various bits and bobs that go along with it. Yesterday we went to the canal and had a bit of a go. His first cast was excellent, the second one went about three feet out, and the third one flew through the air and landed on the far bank. Happily we found someone to throw it back.
I have to say it was cold and damp, even with hot soup, but the middle boy was very happy, even though he didn't catch anything. He wants to go again immediately. I'm a bit sad for the littlest boy who has lost his chum for playing in the woods with. They have so much fun together on their imaginary adventures, but now the middle boy just wants to fish. Hopefully he'll still play sometimes too. The littlest boy found a small bouncy dog to play with for a while which partly made up for the fraternal abandonment. Of course, a small bouncy dog of his very own would be the best compensation...
I have just discovered your blog and I did enjoy your photos of Clifton and the Bridge. Years ago, we lived in a small town on the Severn and I drove over the bridge, into work in Bristol, every day. We used to love summer evenings walking around Clifton. Thanks for the happy memories!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I hear the patter of tiny doggy paws in the background of your mind.... I am glad that middlest is enjoying the new fishing experience, it is good to have hobbies isn't it! xx
ReplyDeleteIt was a good job that middle son didn't hook the person on the opposite bank. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for MS that he got his longed for fishing pole and gear. Now.. I think LS needs a nice wiggly puppy and you can tell him I said so. What breed does he want? Or a rescue? He should start studying breeds to find out what one he'd like. Also - please get him the book "All Thing Great and Small". ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely post filled with wonderful photos. Sounds like your middle lad was more than thrilled for his new rod. Yay for him! I do hope the youngest will find joy in something new soon. Awww Wishing you a lovely weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteI see a small dog in your future, CJ... :) I'm glad your middle son is enjoying fishing. I always wanted to try. Not much fishing here in the desert, though, so I'm not sure when I'll get the chance. I liked seeing the suspension bridge. I think they are fascinating. Amazing to think it has only closed twice. I hope everyone has weathered that storm, it sounded like a very serious one. I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeletemany years ago, while fishing for the first ever time and attempting to cast, I threw the entire fishing line into the water. It was my granddads. I never went fishing again!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of the town.
Love the Bristol photos - I didn't realize that the bridge had only closed twice, and the second time so recently too. Glad your son is enjoying his new hobby; I do feel for your littlest though and hope you decide to go down the small, bouncy dog route! xx
ReplyDeleteHappy new year.
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for a while and I like it, but my English language is not correct.
Margith DK
Lovely post and photos. I don't like heights so I would be a bit 'wobbly' on the bridge. I hope that middle boy catches a fish or two next time, and little boy doesn't feel too abandoned. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI have just found your blog and have enjoyed looking at your photos. I remember walking across the Clifton Suspension Bridge when I was a child so it brought back some memories. Hope your middle son continues to enjoy his fishing but hope the younger one will find a hobby of his own although I am sure they will play together sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAlways hard when one of the older siblings find different hobbies. Great photos of the suspension bridge, I have to confess I would find that difficult, heights and I are not good together. Best wishes for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your son enjoyed his fishing trip I know it has always brought huge enjoyment to my husband. I hope he catches a fish next time xx
ReplyDeleteBirdwatching, fishing and... Oh, puppy training! Three fine hobbies and all can be enjoyed outdoors. Could you possibly have a dog? Getting our rescue one is up there with the best decisions we ever made (and I wasn't sure at the time). Love your photos of the suspension bridge and beautiful houses. Sam x
ReplyDeleteeek, a puppy? you're a braver woman than I am x
ReplyDeletei'm very easily envisioning a small, slightly scruffy, possibly-with-a-bit-of-terrier-in-there dog to accompany your Littlest on his woodland forays. The lure of such excellent companionship might even convince the fisherman to lay down his rod on occasion ;) xo
ReplyDeleteIt is hard when one brother moves onto something else, but he is ready to try new things and that is very exciting. Good for you getting out and about. Those homes are so lovely aren't they?
ReplyDeleteWe are being lazy to, well as lazy as I can be. I feel like cleaning the whole house even though I just did it.
Hugs, Meredith
Great pictures of the suspension bridge and Clifton. A puppy - now that would be fun!
ReplyDeleteHmm, a new dog for the New Year? A dog would love going on all of these walks with you!
ReplyDeleteA small bouncy boy would need a small bouncy dog! And it's back to life again tomorrow :-(
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year CJ! If you are thinking about a bouncy puppy I can highly recommend a West Highland Terrier. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell CJ, with all the walking you do as a family, and with such energetic outdoors-y boys, a dog would be quite a perfect companion... :-) Although I'm guessing it would probably be you doing most of the walking? That's largely why we haven't got one yet, despite us all talking about it for months and months, because I know that I'll end up doing most of the work. Anyway, Happy New Year you lovely lady you. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see the scaffolding has now been removed from the Suspension Bridge. I'm glad your son enjoyed his fishing and can't wait to go again, although it is hard for your younger son. Both my children did enjoy growing up with dogs! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteJust sending Happy New Year Wishes your way ...
ReplyDeleteMy husband loves fishing, and I've got to be very good on the landing net!
All the best Jan
Cracking set of photos. I particularly like the one looking down into the ravine. I found it very easy to not see the road and consider what a spectacle it must have been to our ancestors as they mooched about with spears and fur capes (ever the romantic, me).
ReplyDeleteAnd as for your littlest- Of course you must get him a dog :o) I have a small, scruffy, slightly smelly, licky and very cuddly terrier here you can borrow to try for size. If you get a Jack Russell, you'll already know what you're letting yourself in for. What could possibly go wrong? XX
I can see a small dog in your family CJ. I used to say things like 'me or a dog' but now I adore our little naughty creature. We have a Jack Russell, a small dog with a cheeky mind (and small poos). Richard and I do most of the walking during the week but come the weekends, it is a family sport. I take Jack jogging. I often see teenagers fishing along the canal, maybe it is just relaxing for boys to sit/stand and fish, gaze into the dark waters and dream of fish the size of sperm wales. I suppose your middle boy is not a teenager for a while yet and requires your presence. You could of course fish, too. xxx
ReplyDeleteCould you borrow one - a dog that is. My son always wanted a dog, but I didn't so we used to take friends' dogs on walks with us which pleased all parties. Your photos are so lovely and made me remember when I was a schoolgirl over 40 years ago and stayed with the grandmother of my best friend in one of those beautiful houses in Clifton.
ReplyDeleteI am cheering you on as you navigate through this season of family life...it seems each stage has its challenges, yes? I'm so glad you live in an area where you can enjoy being out and about, hiking, fishing and maybe walking a dog :) xx
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely 2016!!! May it be full of happiness and love!
ReplyDeleteCloseness has grown between my three (now grown-up) children in different combinations over the years depending on age and circumstance. They are all very good friends these days, but it can be tricky when one is left out for a while when they're little. All character-building stuff. Those houses in Clifton are gorgeous, and I must say you're brave walking over the suspension bridge. Whenever we drive over it I feel a bit light-headed and giddy. The gorge is always awe-inspiring, and such a great place to walk.
ReplyDeleteCathy x
Post Christmas Days. I love the photos of the suspension bridge. Your boys sound like they are enjoying their time and each other, just maybe at a different pace than before. If the middle boy enjoys fishing, he may enjoy that little bit of solitude and quiet more than others. I think it's lovely. Wishing you a happy new year.
ReplyDeleteI still miss Bristol. I used to paint that canal with its lock gates open and closed. I walked across it to Bower Ashton almost every day.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have such classic, old architecture around where you live. We have nothing like that here. I'm a bit envious. Beautiful photos at such a special time of day. I'm sure the boys will always play with one another in some way. Happy New Year CJ!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great 2016, that's an area I've never visited, it needs to go on my list :)
ReplyDeleteHey CJ,
ReplyDeleteI can almost see my sister's house in one of your photos! It's sad when they lose their fraternal companion. Olly has lately lost Alfie. I say lately; it was about a year or so ago. But he still feels it keenly, always trying to curry favour or get him to play. And the most holy of grails, to be allowed into his brother's bedroom. Honey is a compensation, although she isn't a bouncy dog. More of a plodder these days. The Suspension Bridge really is a fine piece of work, don't you think?
Leanne xx
Another blast from my past. Bristol was a huge part of my childhood and my sister's home for years afterwards. I miss the city now I have no reason to visit it.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year CJ x