18/09/2026
Last Friday wander
Brislington to Hanham Weir
By the boundary of Bristol in a field stood 3 old oaks, one had been hollowed by fire, presumed lightning had struck it, but the tree lived on. Another had a hornets nest in the roots.
Imagine before the roads and before Bristol got as big as it is now, travellers would have used the oak trees as a marker for Bristol, sat under its canopy for a rest, all that history only seen by the tree.
Realising though this wasn’t the way we followed the walked path and found the main road again, then down into the overgrown old quarries that line the banks of the River Avon. Spotted a man and his rowing boat struggling to pull a very big log along, discovered a wood for sale but sadly checked and couldn’t live in it legally (stupid rules).
Then to The Old Lock and Weir a charming old pub. Admiring the cottage homes and their gardens we stopped for a pint and rest.
Lastly as we headed home a house had its window open and a lone lady was selling Thai takeaway, all homemade and so so cheap, £9 in total for a curry meal and two spring rolls, so delicious, highly recommend if you time it right as only open on a night.
One of the last hot day wanders of summer. How they will be missed.
