Portishead

Once a centre for industry and shipborne commerce, now a modern centre with many historic buildings including the Royal looking over the Severn estuary towards Wales. 

A damp bath pitch next to the River Avon

With 60 mile an hour winds, the large trees kept the van shaking to a minimum!

Jane austen festival and everyone played their part

beautiful bath, we keep returning

a brilliant interpretation of under the sea  

Chew valley site, possibly best yet

So friendly, clean, tidy and seconds from the lake.

chew valley Momma cat takes a rest from grass cutting

The dam that makes chew lake possible

A bit of dark skies never hurt

a flock of cormorants

God's fingers

The flock of Cormorants landed for a few moments

LAst day and the sun shone across the lake

There is a Peregrine Falcon on the shore, but so small almost impossible to see

Star enjoying the bird watching

getting ready for the next game

happy hats

hats upgraded with sparkles

The day of the final and the family enjoy Star's hospitality

And history shows, ENGLAND WON !!!! Come on the Roses!

September 2025, Bird watching at Chew Lake and watching WRWC @ Bristol

🌟 A Joyful Journey Through Bristol and Beyond! 🌟

🏉 Rugby Excitement in Bristol 
Our recent trip to Bristol was an absolute delight! The Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 was in full swing, and we had the pleasure of watching England play in the quarter and semi-finals. The atmosphere was electric, with crowds that were loud, proud, and incredibly happy.

🏨 Peaceful Stay in Portishead 
In between the thrilling matches, we found some peace and quiet at the Royal Hotel in Portishead – highly recommended! Our adventure in Star continued with a visit to Bath, a city that never fails to amaze. The blend of golden stone antiquity and modern charm was simply stunning. We were lucky enough to catch the Jane Austen festival, with Regency-era dresses adding a touch of elegance to the streets.

🌳 Exploring the Chew Valley Countryside 
Next, we ventured into the serene countryside of the Chew Valley. Despite the wet and windy weather, the beauty of the area shone through. We stayed just minutes away from Chew Lake, where we enjoyed long walks and witnessed an incredible array of birdlife. From flocks of cormorants to the majestic herons, and even the brilliant blue flashes of kingfishers, the birdwatching was spectacular. The rare sight of glossy ibises took our breath away, and we were thrilled to spot birds of prey like ospreys, peregrine falcons, and possibly even a white-tailed eagle.

🚶‍♂️ Looking Forward to More Adventures 
This trip was one of our best yet, and we can't wait to return to the Chew Valley and the Mendips for more birdwatching adventures.

Until next time!