Moving South-side...

Arnos Vale Park

Yes, we're back online at last, hurrah! After a few weeks of some serious house moving we are now pretty much on track at our gorgeous new home south of the river. We worked full days for 12 days moving stuff between properties - I'm such a hoarder, somehow we've already managed to fill this spacious building. How lucky we are - especially as even though it's been hectic, house moving has meant that we've all got to spend lots of time together, which has been lovely. We are so pleased to have found a nice landlord too.

At i-play (soft play), the Broadwalk centre, Knowle

We are loving the Totterdown and Knowle area. There are lots of amenities nearby; a doctors surgery and pharmacy were number 1 on my list of course - a lot of time is spent at those places when you have a little one. Both are a couple of minutes walk down the road. There are lots of cool cafes and charity shops, plus I've found a soft-play place for kids underneath the Broadwalk shopping centre in Knowle. There is also a swimming pool not far away too.  We've had to cancel our Lido membership (sob!), however Sam and I are hoping to have 'dates' there together when we have some free time in the future. Another huge bonus is Hillcrest primary school which is literally just across the road from our house. I lived behind my primary school when I was young, so I'm really glad that Eve will be able to walk to school by herself when she's old enough to do so. 

It's great getting used to how quiet it is round here - no more screaming students in the middle of the night (that used to be me at one point, ha ha!) It's just perfect being at the end of the road, with Arnos Vale Cemetery behind us. There's hardly anyone around except the people that live here.

Daddy and Eve at the entrance to Arnos Vale Cemetery

Sam was away djing on friday night at Silverstone for the Moto GP, so on Sunday morning after breakfast we took Eve for a walk through the cemetery, down to Arnos Vale Park. It's an incredibly beautiful walk through the cemetery to the children's park. Hundreds of old graves and new mark the way as you amble down the small pathways. I noticed one as old as 1778. Whole swathes of graves are buried amongst the undergrowth. However, having blackberries growing out of 'your' remains can't be a bad thing...  

I'm hoping to volunteer as a gardener.  I would just love to get involved with the Arnos Vale Trust. 

We stopped at The Atrium Cafe which is near to the main entrance of the cemetery. It was a sunny, fresh morning and stopping for a soya decaf cappuccino was such a treat. I don't have them often, so that plus a gingerbread biscuit whilst chatting with Sam was super nice.

The cemetery was established in 1837. It was laid out as an Arcadian landscape with buildings by Charles Underwood. It includes a number of listed buildings and monuments.  During the 20th century the cemetery fell into disrepair, and local groups began campaigning for its restoration. In 2003 it was featured on the BBC programme 'Restoration'. The cemetery was a South West region runner-up and has since received a £4.8 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant.  

Queen Victoria was new to the throne when Arnos Vale Cemetery opened in 1839 as a ‘garden cemetery’, inspired by the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and later, London's Kensal Green Cemetery. By then, Bristol's old parish graveyards were overcrowded, and a health hazard. 

The Bristol General Cemetery Company was set up to provide a stylish yet spacious alternative. It bought land in the (then outlying and picturesque) village of Brislington, and put forward plans for a cemetery that would be filled with sunlight, fresh air, trees and shrubs, and with its architecture and landscaping designed to echo classical Greece.

ore: Site History

There are more than 500 war graves for British Commonwealth service men and women for both World Wars I and II. 'Sailors corner' is near to the entrance closest to our house, and 'Soldiers corner' is near to the main entrance on Bath Road. It is without doubt the most beautiful and inspiring cemetery that I've ever seen. We often went for walks through cemetery's with my mum when we were small. I think that being surrounded by history, nature and people's life stories are important for children.

Raja Rammohan Roy's tomb surrounded by headstones

Mary Carpenter, the social reformer, and Raja Rammohan Roy, the Indian social reformer are both buried there. Have a look at the website or Wikipedia to see other notable people who are buried in this cemetery: 

http://www.arnosvale.org.uk/

In the last couple of weeks Eve has started brushing her teeth - or should I say chewing the toothbrush! She has also mastered holding vegetables better and can now eat them right down so there's only a tiny bit left at the end.

Bath-time has finally become lots of fun. She loves splashing around. The anti-slip bath mat is brilliant and has definitely been the best bath item that we've tried over the past 8 months. I actually picked one up in a baby charity shop for a couple of quid, in pretty good condition. But you can usually buy them from Mothercare or various places online for about £12-£15

Eve adores eating marmite toast with Daddy at breakfast time. When I'm having breakfast with her, I make her Ready brek with homemade fruit puree mixed in whilst I eat porridge. Simple wholesome loveliness, bliss!

During the house move we didn't have tv so we put 'Thundercats' dvd on for her. Her face lit up as she took in the wonders of Lion-O and the rest of his buddies. Of course the theme music is what she liked the most - just as we did all those years ago. Sam and I had tears in our eyes as we watched her mesmerised by the cool artwork and sounds. We're both big cartoon and manga fans so there will be plenty more of that to come for Eve. Sorry to all tv disliking parents :-)

Ulysses 31 another childhood favourite of ours,

 which Eve has also watched on dvd during our house move

Perrett Park, Totterdown

One afternoon last week, whilst Sam was at work, I went for a walk through Victoria Park and then back towards home via a wonderful natural amphitheatre - Perrett Park. Eve woke up so she had a go on the swing in the kids park at the bottom. Watching her delighted face as she swung back and forth made my day. 

The site now occupied by Perrett Park was purchased by Bristol City Corporation from Lady Smyth of Ashton Court for £1,000 in 1900. £500 of this money was provided by Councillor Perrett after whom the park is named.

Eve loves practicing to walk with one of us holding her hands. She is absolutely thrilled as she trots around the lounge! She also tries to pull herself up on the sofa and arm chair. If she's not wearing a nappy and I'm giving her a meal in the lounge on the floor she loves to try climbing all over me.

Daddy and Eve having a swinging time!