The Platinum Line

Category: England

  • Who was Edward Colston?

    Who was Edward Colston?

    It has been a strange spring here in England. Halfway through March, the country was put into lockdown and we could only leave the house for essential shopping and short periods of exercise. For almost three months I have not been further than I can walk. My google timeline reads 19 miles in March, 19…

  • A house through time series 3 Guinea Street Bristol

    A house through time series 3 Guinea Street Bristol

    A house through time is a BBC 2 series that tells the story of an English city through the history of one of its houses.  Two previous series, which I very much enjoyed have focused on the northern cities of Newcastle and Liverpool.  As I belong to a history walking group and have written on…

  • Social distancing for V.E. day in Bristol

    Social distancing for V.E. day in Bristol

    It was going to be very different; our government had planned a series of events on May 8th to mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the ending of the war in Europe (V.E. day). Local groups were planning street parties, film shows and church parades. The bank holiday had been moved from Monday to Friday so…

  • The Snuff Mills Community Garden Bristol

    The Snuff Mills Community Garden Bristol

    It is now the beginning of May, and we are still in lockdown here in England.  I am slowly coming to accept the new normal while mourning my old life. I used to take trips to the shops, the hairdresser or a coffee bar for granted. Now we are only supposed to leave the house…

  • Bristol life in a lockdown part two

    Bristol life in a lockdown part two

    It has been a strange month. Like much of the world we have been spending our time in a lockdown because of coronavirus. Despite modern science we are faced with a pandemic without effective drugs, vaccines or treatments. Governments can only advise us to stay at home. In England this means we are only supposed…

  • The Stoke Park Estate Bristol

    The Stoke Park Estate Bristol

    While the country was in lockdown, I was able to spend time exploring the Stoke Park Estate which is within walking distance of my house. The familiar yellow castle which I can see from my bedroom window is one of Bristol’s most familiar landmarks. If you look to the left, you can see it from the…

  • Bristol Street art

    Bristol Street art

    Bristol is famous for its street art. It is after all the home of Banksy.  In inner Bristol graffiti adorns shop fronts, back-alleys underpasses and almost any available surface. Some older residents regret the invention of the spray paint can but tourists love discovering hidden gems. I have grown to appreciate it and it certainly…