City and County of Bristol

NOT Gloucestershire or Somerset but a county in it's own right, and NEVER mention Avon in front of a real Bristolian, if you do the reaction makes garlic and vampires look like a pleasant picnic.

We are very proud of our County status given to us in 1373 ( ok, I admit we did give the King at the time 600 crowns, but that was our patriotic duty and had nothing to do with the fact as a county we would have control over port fees and customs)

A famous sea port, from which many brave mariners went in search of adventure and profit, including one John Cabot who 'discovered' Newfoundland. Only problem was that (it is quietly believed) Bristolian seaman had been visiting the Newfoundland banks for years coming back laden with fish and they didn't want anyone else knowing about the rich cod fisheries, makes you wonder how well the new local 'Hero' was received in the port taverns.

We also lay claim to naming America, it is said, after a few scrumpies from our friends in Somerset, that a Bristol ship was blown off course in a terrible storm, after many days with food gone and water almost exhausted land was sighted. Immediately the God fearing and pious seaman of Bristol fell to their knees crying ' It's a miracle(l)'  (Try saying it fast and add the Bristol L at the end)

Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk, the basis for Robinson Crusoe, in the Llandoger Trow and we must not forget that outstanding combination of commerce, courage, management and negotiation skills found in another Bristol lad Edward Teach, or you may know him as... Blackbeard!

Brunel, Great Western Railway, Concorde, SS Great Britain, Massive Attack and Portishead, St Paul's festival, Hen nights, Clifton Suspension Bridge, International Balloon Fiesta, Stag nights, twinned with Bordeaux, Banksy, I could go on and on....instead come and visit, use Bristol as your base and explore Bath, Cheltenham and the beautiful West of England.

Am I biased, what do you think? 'Cheers Skip'