06.03.05
Rolling fields with curry on the hoof
Friday, June 3, 2005 11:55PM
Bristol, UK
The flight ended up leaving a half an hour late and arriving about fifteen minutes late which was quite fine. Teresa picked me up at the airport and drove me around Bristol for a short while before we got to her place and dropped my bag off. I am quite loving the British west countryside, rolling green hills, rivers, lots of hedges and beautiful towns.
From her apartment we went up to Aardman Studios where Teresa took me on the sets of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005). I cannot say much (or show any pictures) because of a non disclosure agreement, but I think I can safely say that the sets looked marvelous. A number of them were huge with motion control rigs swinging cameras in and around streets with many buildings and big backdrop fields. We had a delicious lunch at the Aardman canteen of broccoli/cheese pie, peas, new potatoes and a banana toffee dessert. I was very impressed with the ‘lunchroom’ cooking and with how friendly everyone we met was. They seemed like grand people to work with.
By the time we came out of Aardman the drizzle had turned into a light rain. We headed to Bath and missed our exit off the M4 going many miles out before we were able to turn around. There was an accident that had traffic all backed up as well which meant we spent quite a few hours sitting in the car in rain and traffic. That is not all that bad though since it gave Teresa and I a chance to catch up a bit. Once we pulled into Bath the rain was more like a downpour and we were so late we got into the Roman Bathhouse after it closed. The nice guard let us into the anteroom were I got to at least see the old ruins and natural spring bath if not actually go down into them. We ran from there to the Abby of Bath (I now know exactly where the ‘Bishop of Bath and Wells’ from Black Adder II comes from) a beautiful high ceilinged church with great detailed work and got even wetter walking up to the Bath Circus a.k.a. a round park and roundabout atop the hill.
Wet and with a town closing on us we went back to Bristol along more beautiful roads, rested a touch then went up to the Downs (don’t ask, every other thing is backwards around here) for a stupendous Indian dinner. I love Indian food and have gone to many a good restaurant but I honestly believe this is far and beyond the best Indian food I have had the pleasure of eating.
