I use this roundabout frequently and have been aware of loads of graffiti dotted around its superstructure. I decided on Tuesday to park up and take a closer look. The whole place is awash with amazing street art. Most of it is made up of wildstyle burners (intricate lettering) although there are some great art pieces too. Today I’ll start off with an artist I’ve not come across before.
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
This burner is by Laic 217. I imagine he is local, as there are a couple of his works nearby. My searches on the Interweb have not given me much information about the artist, but he does have an active Instagram account.
Laic 217, M32 Roundabout, Bristol, March 2016
This piece has a symmetry about it, and the gaping portrait reminds me a little of the ‘Hellraiser’ movie. I’ll post more as I find it.
Yesterday was a red-letter day for me. I must have gathered up some 50 or more new (to me) pieces around Bristol. Something has to give…either I stop taking pictures or I post more often. Whatever happens, my backlog is getting serious.
Sepr & Piro, Albert Park Place, Bristol, March 2015
This is an absolutely outstanding piece by Sepr and Piro. I have written on many occasions about Sepr and his wonderful work, indeed his work previously adorned this wall. Piro is a bit of a mystery to me, and I am having to do a little more digging around.
Sepr & Piro, Albert Park Place, Bristol, March 2015
Together this collaboration is almost perfect. The colours are amazing and the balance between the characters and the burner works really well.
Sepr & Piro, Albert Park Place, Bristol, March 2015
The piece is relatively recent, I believe it was sprayed in early march, and it retains its freshness.
Sepr & Piro, Albert Park Place, Bristol, March 2015
I absolutely love this work and I also love the location, it has a small footfall…this is a work of love.
Hardly a day goes by when I don’t stop to take a quick look at this familiar and wonderful piece. It is a constant when all around it is in continual flux.
Alex Lucas, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015
‘Dandy Lion’ is a private commission, presumably for the householder, and has commanded great respect from the tagging community over the years; it remains unscathed.
Alex Lucas, Stokes Croft, Bristol, December 2015
Both the lion and the mouse are delightful. You can see the care and preparation that went into the work on the Lucas Antics website.
On the practice wall outside the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft, is a very different piece by Mr Sle7en from the one featured a couple of days ago.
Mr Sle7en, Jamaica Street, Bristol, January 2016
This time a humorous piece, somewhat critical of middle-class activists and people, well…a bit like me I suppose. Ouch! It is very funny, and I love the bourbon biscuit. Lots of nice Bristol references, and some more Buzz tributes just to the right of the picture.
Today marks British Summertime and Easter Sunday, but the weather and its unpredictability has forced me indoors. I thought I’d use the time productively to update my Falkland Island journal from 1988. I urge any new readers to read An Ill Wind, the first ‘chapter’ of this personal voyage in order to understand the context.
Thursday 26 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
Yesterday I got $900 which was about £500. I hope I don’t spend this in Montevideo. I will be right pissed off if I can’t get subsistence.
It is a miserable day, but fairly calm. I will miss Port Stanley. I do miss Deb. I can’t wait to go home.
Meeting with Sam, John, Abe ‘Radar’ – Total farce – John is a fool, he has no command of the situation, he didn’t take control. I am sitting with Jim, some hours after our departure from Port Stanley. A poignant moment. Sad.
Jim and his last farewell to Port Stanley, May 1988
Leaving Port Stanley can be painful.
Friday 27 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
Mellow music, mellow mood – I am surprisingly happy. Martin Stephenson can see me through.
Not so happy now. I have just watched ‘Platoon’ on video. It is a clichéd but nonetheless depressing film. I am now ready to sleep. I am scared of montevideo, it could be quite a dangerous place and I am always a coward. I pray I don’t get any trouble. Wrote to Deb and Gavin.
Japanese wine – bloody horrible.
Saturday 28 May 1988 Koei Maru 30
Pulled off the first of my calendar tags that I made.
Had a ‘conference’ with Mr Chiba (the Captain) and ‘Radar’ (the radio operator). It seems that the KM30 intends to leave here by August 30 at the latest, after only 80 days fishing in the zone. I have the task of being the man on the spot and telling John and John that 120 days looks out of the question.
Sunday 29 May 1988, Koei Maru 30
Pay day tomorrow, actually the day after tomorrow.
‘Down and out in Beverly Hills’ – good film. Little Richard remains extremely cool.
The moon is almost full and very bright. It is much warmer here, but still no sight of South America.
Monday 30 May 1988, Montevideo, London Palace Hotel
Arrived at last – we’re here and I can’t believe it.
The docks of Montevideo, May 1988
A long wait in a shyte hut.
It was cold – Jim had problems with customs.
It is cheap here – only $27 for a reasonable hotel. Meals out here are pretty cheap too. Jim and I ate out and I paid on Visa.
I can’t understand it.
SOUTH AMERICA!
Tuesday 31 May 1988, Montevideo, London Palace Hotel
Now, let me write with a straight head. We waited in a derelict dock customs gate for some three hours in the cold rain, before the Japanese agent finally sorted something out. Jim in the end will have to pay $25 for his camera. Rip-off.
My ship pass for entering the docks
We saw the customs man accept bribes from an African crew. Two tins of sardines. It was shameless and very funny. It is kind of expected here.
My ship pass for entering the docks
I slept very badly, because I was so very hot and dehydrated, but at least I am here, and have survived the ordeals of the first day.
I must keep a tab on my spending. See p.94.
The cars and trucks here have to be seen to be believed – out of the ’30s ’40s and ’50s. We were given a lift by the agent in a huge Mercedes.
There is no highway code, or so it seems. The whole place is a ‘Tintin’ adventure.
I went to the boat – not much seems to have happened there yet, except a few of the machines have been uncovered. I will return there tomorrow.
We wandered fairly aimlessly about, something I love doing in foreign cities, but Jim seemed to tire of it. He derives his pleasures in different ways to me. We inquired about trips to Iguazu falls.
Natural adventures 