Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« on: December 12, 2022, 12:08:07 » |
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Since grahame's Advent Quiz question was solved so quickly, here's another festive conundrum: What is the subject of this picture? Where (exactly) was I? How did I get there? The photo was taken just after 13.00 on Sunday 11th Dec 2022:  |
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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stuving
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« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2022, 12:43:14 » |
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I think you were on Clifton Down, or rather Observatory Hill, looking across to Nightingale Valley beyond the Portishead line. In which case you could have got there by bike, or walked ... or got to the top of the Observatory with the help of a troupe of trained red kites (or otherwise)?
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johnneyw
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« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2022, 13:05:30 » |
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If it is Nightingale Valley in the picture (and I think that stuving is correct) then it looks like there's been some tree thinning in the valley since I last ventured that way.
Might RS have gotten to Clifton by means of the Beach line followed by a pleasant enough stroll through Clifton "village
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Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2022, 13:35:38 » |
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I think you were on Clifton Down, or rather Observatory Hill, looking across to Nightingale Valley beyond the Portishead line. In which case you could have got there by bike, or walked ... or got to the top of the Observatory with the help of a troupe of trained red kites (or otherwise)?
You are right about the subject, stuving, but you could refine the location to be a little more precise... Here's a wider view:  If it is Nightingale Valley in the picture (and I think that stuving is correct) then it looks like there's been some tree thinning in the valley since I last ventured that way.
Might RS have gotten to Clifton by means of the Beach line followed by a pleasant enough stroll through Clifton "village
I can see why you might think I would have used the Severn Beach line to get there. Indeed, the 11.55 from Montpelier would have been just the thing. I even bought tickets, from the ticket machine, which... was working! But it was not to be, as a quick squizz at Realtime Trains will reveal. The morning service on the Beach line was pretty non-existent. Some spitting of teeth ensued, but I felt better after a stroll around the Downs... |
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2022, 13:47:52 » |
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You could have climbed the cliff adjacent to Goat Gully, but I doubt you did. Especially on a cold, frosty, slippery December day.
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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stuving
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« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2022, 13:51:18 » |
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The viewpoint looks to be at the level of the bridge, but is it that far south? Peering at the land forms in the gloom, and trying to judge sightlines, then perhaps just to the landward of the eastern tower?
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Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2022, 13:53:55 » |
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I was very close indeed to the Observatory...
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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johnneyw
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« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2022, 14:49:01 » |
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I was very close indeed to the Observatory...
Ah, the viewing "balcony" at the end of the cave? |
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Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2022, 16:11:28 » |
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I was very close indeed to the Observatory...
Ah, the viewing "balcony" at the end of the cave? Exactly! The so-called Giant's Cave. I think giants must have been smaller in the old days, because it was quite a challenge getting my slightly-sub-two-metres frame down the hole that leads to it. Still, three quid well spent. |
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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JayMac
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« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2022, 17:55:42 » |
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On my bucket list of places to visit in Bristol. Despite living there for nearly 10 years I never ventured into Giants Cave. Was either closed, or I had a dog with me, whenever I was up the Down.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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TonyK
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The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2022, 20:30:30 » |
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On my bucket list of places to visit in Bristol. Despite living there for nearly 10 years I never ventured into Giants Cave. Was either closed, or I had a dog with me, whenever I was up the Down.
I have been there twice. It was easier the first time, with both lungs working and minus the arthritis and grandsons. |
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Now, please!
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JayMac
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« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2022, 21:27:16 » |
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Afflicted with grandkids? Yet to experience that.
I have come down with a bad case of the nephews in the past though. One, when a toddler, was having a tantrum and I made the mistake of picking him up in an effort to calm him. A kick Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud of was my thanks. Were they not attached it would've been an excellent conversion.
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« Last Edit: December 12, 2022, 21:52:35 by JayMac »
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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johnneyw
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« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2022, 23:11:48 » |
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The cave is apparently natural but the access to it from the observatory seems to be be man made.
Incidentally, the Clifton Observatory website includes a number of TripAdvisor reviews, one of which enthuses about the magnificent view, especially the 'Clifton Bridge and surrounding mountains '.
I really must have another look next time I'm strolling through Clifton.
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JayMac
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« Reply #13 on: December 12, 2022, 23:16:37 » |
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Have you not scaled the north face of Mont Pelier?
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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TonyK
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Posts: 6438
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2022, 10:12:22 » |
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The cave is apparently natural but the access to it from the observatory seems to be be man made.
Incidentally, the Clifton Observatory website includes a number of TripAdvisor reviews, one of which enthuses about the magnificent view, especially the 'Clifton Bridge and surrounding mountains '.
I really must have another look next time I'm strolling through Clifton.
That makes the effort worthwhile, despite wheezing, aching, or in JayMac's case, potential damage to vital organs. |
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Now, please!
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