6 October 2009
24 September 2009
MeMe Chocolat – Yes
MeMe Chocolat is, you’ve guessed, it a chic-choc-o-holic heaven. Right at the heart of Clifton village in a grade II building, the cosy cafe is in a few minutes stroll from the Bristol Suspension Bridge. The choc is delivered in a variety of varieties – drinks, cakes, gifts and chocolates and if you’ve got more of a hunger and a bit more time, there’s a good range deli foods paninis, healthy salads and the like. Yum.
22 September 2009
Blue Sky Sports Physiotherapy
Well some of us at BS8 have reached that post 40 moment in our lives. To stave off the mid life crisis we decided to run the Bristol Half Marathon this year. A few highs and several lows, and a couple of continuing niggles, especially in the knees and ankles. We headed off to the more leafy parts of BS8 to find a physiotherapist. Having an injury doesn’t just affect your ability to continue enjoying your favourite sport. Everything you do in your day-to-day life can be affected by anything from a ‘niggle’ to the after effects of a major sporting trauma. When you find yourself in this situation, you need to rely on an expert to get you back on track. Well, help is at hand..or foot or knee or where ever you need it from Blue Sky Sports Physio based at Redwood Country club. Donna Sanderson-Hull is the driving force there and is well known for being a former Bristol Rugby physio for 6 years and is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Donna is also famous for her work with Swiss Ball Exercise Systems – she’s even written a book about it. Whatever your point of pain, she and her team there will sort you out.
14 September 2009
Property Market Update
Edmund Dodds, BS8′s porperty expert, updates us on the current market view.
With the worst of the world’s financial banking turmoil now behind us the Bristol residential property market place in the middle to upper sectors is now showing healthy signs of steady recovery with confidence returning.
Prospective buyers and sellers alike that have postponed important decisions and plans during the last two years of uncertainty are now deciding to press ahead whether this involves upsizing to larger accommodation, downsizing to smaller or choosing the property market as a more robust safe haven for hard earned savings and investments.
It would have impossible to predict with any accuracy during the uncertainty of last year where the market would stand currently. The real surprise to all of us is that we continue to confront a shortage of good quality housing stock in our market sector. The media coverage over recent months would have had us all believe that 2008 would offer a dearth of property available for the foreseeable future. In contrast, the shortage that we now experience in certain geographical areas has resulted in competition from buyers on a number of recent cases. In one specific instance recently, a higher price was achieved (albeit for a more individual type of property) than was achieved for the similar neighbouring property during the markets peak over 2006/07!
Based on a sensible market asking price we are now observing significantly fuller prices being achieved when compared to last year when more of a discount might have been achievable. This is where we identify the recently reported uplift in prices.
This unforeseen trend proves concerning for those that elected to exit the property market completely owing to their uncertainty of the widely predicted freefall in values. Perhaps this type of buyer is not experiencing the advantages that they foresaw with limited choice available coupled with the threat of competition for any desirable prospect.
Our principal advice to buyers searching in our locality is that you should be ready to act quickly and maybe even competitively, as soon as any suitable property arises. It is also important to ensure that up to date financial arrangements are well placed in what is now reverting back to a more diverse, competitive, mortgage market.
The experienced and long established team at Hydes Of Bristol are on hand to offer tailored advice to you based on your individual circumstances and requirements.
We look forward to assisting you whether buying or selling within our area.
Thanks to Ed from Hydes and to Free Foto for the great image.
2 September 2009
Bristol’s Kite Festival
Bristol’s Kite festival in Ashton Court, 12 – 13 September seems to be one of those lessor pubilcised events that just slips under the radar. We at BS8 think this is wrong! Almost criminal in our mind, as this is one of the last festivals that retains that air of freedom the Park was once famous for. Totaly different than the Balloon Fiesta, aimed at the vistor and not the participants or the corporate sponsor. Sadly in previous years the organisers have managed to choose the calmest weekends of the year so fingers crossed for that Micheal Fish moment and a really good blow! Windy Miller start whistling. Free entry for those walking so great news for everybody in BS8. However, if you really want to support this years event and keep it BS8, take the car and pay the parking which is the life support for this great Bristol event. A big thanks to the organisers.
26 August 2009
Riverstation – Maybe
BS8′s latest addition, the Lovely Lisa our new roving restaurant critic was deployed out of area on Saturday to try out Riverstation in the heart of Bristol’s historic floating harbour. Over to Lisa…. A great night was had by all in the party, and nobody was disappointed by the breadth and quality of the menu. The service was efficient and the great location by the water adds that extra dimension. However, I just felt it was a little pricey for what we had. Certainly worth a visit but gets a BS8 Maybe this time round. L
Brasserie Blanc – Definite Yes
Well the wedding anniversary crept around again and the beloved decided to celebrate the joyous occasion at Brasserie Blanc in the new-ish Cabot Circus. Worth a visit just for the location, really very impressive. Anyway the outside was not let down by the inside, a very imposing space to host a brasserie. We were met with excellent service from the moment we arrived for the second sitting of the evening and the whole ambiance made for an excellent evening. The menu on the night was simple, almost too simple but this was made up for by the sheer quality of the food served. We don’t often cite individual dishes, just try to help people decide where to go on the night. However, the Rochefort Souffle was out of this World. We were seated upstairs but if I go again I would ask not be be. Also the bar area was a little small so I suggest a pre-dinner drink elsewhere, if required.
6 August 2009
Banksy
Banksy
Sadly the biggest Art event in Bristol for years, Banksy Vs Bristol Museum is now closed and it’s pretty obvious who Won. Bristol City Council should have charged a penny to get in and just given it to Bristol charities. Did you go, were you one of the lucky ones. Did you que for hours? With over 4000 visitors a day, often queuing for up to three hours we expect you did. We don’t need to say anymore, whatever your views on street art are, this exhibition was a very entertaining and thought provoking event! Well done Bristol City Council. One of the best things you’ve done in ages.
4 August 2009
Rocotillos – Yes
Standing Guard on top of hill at the very gates of BS8 is Rocotillos. Our favourite Diner, a great place to take the kids and well as the perfect cure for Morning After. The best milkshakes and burgers for miles, try the chili burger. The BS8 favourite milkshake is Phish Food, but don’t just believe us, why don’t you squeeze into a booth with the odd Guardian Reader…? Craig, get a website so you can tell everybody the good news. And for those budding Elvis’s among you who need that late night burger, Rocotillos is now open until 11pm. Print off the voucher below for the best BOGOF North of the Avon.
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- Rocotillos Voucher
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- Rocotillos Voucher
29 July 2009
Ahmed’s Curry Cafe – Yes
Calm Down, Calm Down…..please don’t write in! We know Ahmed’s Curry Cafe is not quite in BS8 but it’s well worth the short step to Redland for the best curry supper in Bristol. Don’t just believe us, have a look around the net. Awards and plaudits from all over the place. We’ve been sneaking over the Whiteladies Road for years, late night curries, family parties and even early evening suppers with the children keep us coming back. A great little delivery service and friendly service are standard but it is the quality and authenticity of the menu that sets this little hidden gem far above the rest. The only problem is what to order. One decision is easy however, Bangla Beer!