Sheep Hunting in Bristol – Shaun in the City

  • Sgt. Shepherd
    Sgt. Shepherd
  • Lotus
    Lotus
  • Danger
    Danger
  • Bahhbersheep
    Bahhbersheep
  • Dolly
    Dolly
  • Green Poems for a Blue Planet
    Green Poems for a Blue Planet
  • Shaun Bean
    Shaun Bean
  • The Pirate Captain
    The Pirate Captain
  • Sheep Hat
    Sheep Hat
  • Harbourside
    Harbourside
  • Bristol Docks
    Bristol Docks
  • The Matthew
    The Matthew
  • Air Fleece
    Air Fleece
  • Beach Boy
    Beach Boy
  • Dung Beetle
    Dung Beetle
  • Life Aquatic
    Life Aquatic
  • On The Waterfront
    On The Waterfront
  • Jarsberry Ram
    Jarsberry Ram
  • On-The-Waterfront-2
  • Selfie
    Selfie
  • Shadows
    Shadows

We were at my parents house for the weekend ready for a large family picnic on Sunday, but had no real plans for Saturday. I went for a nice little early morning bike ride before breakfast.

We then we decided that a game of Crazy Golf might be fun so phoned my brother Jay to see if any of his clan wanted to join us. They however were heading into Bristol to track down some ‘Shaun the Sheep’ so we decided to join them.

In spring 2015, Aardman’s internationally-acclaimed character Shaun the Sheep came to Bristol (home of the Aardman characters) for a ewe-nique arts trail – Shaun in the City!

Numerous giant Shaun the Sheep sculptures, created by artists, celebrities and designers, have been placed in iconic locations to raise funds for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal and support Bristol Children’s Hospital. A similar trail has been set up in London too and both flocks will eventually go to auction to raise money for sick children in hospitals across the UK.

Various trails have been set up around these sculptures and today we were following the Harbourside Trail which consisted of 12 Shaun Sculptures. We started at The Cottage Inn on Baltic Wharf. This whole area is an old haunt of mine, not far from where we lived in Bristol. Baltic Wharf was the stretch of water in the docks that I learned to windsurf on and I used to keep my boards at the sailing club here for a while. The docksides were also our preferred walking route into town and of course the other side of the docks was my route to school everyday so I knew it very well indeed.

Some things never change and many of the features and landmarks that I saw everyday during my school years are just the same as they always have been. Nothing stands still around here though and there was plenty of change as we made our way around the docks…

Sgt. Shepherd

Sgt. Shepherd

We met Jay, Jennie, Harry, Charlie and Jack and headed off in search of sheep. First stop right by The Cottage Inn was a sheep called Sgt. Shepherd. We had downloaded the official Shaun in the City app and as we approached we were able to log it as found using GPS location data. Each sculpture also has a unique four digit code on it allowing you to log it using the code if you don’t have GPS.

After a quick photo we continued on our way having logged our first Shaun the Sheep and having gained a trophy in the app for getting started. As well as logging each sheep, the app gives you various trophies for all sort of things as you make your way around the trail.

The next stop wasn’t too far away as we walked along the southern side of the docks. As always there were lots of people sailing in Baltic Wharf and the ferries where cruising up and down the docks too. There were also lots of groups of people out Stand-up Paddleboarding and canoeing too.

I can’t remember the exact order that we did each Shaun the Sheep, but I think the next one was just outside the Aardman offices not far from the old Maritime Museum and the SS Great Britain. There were loads of other people doing the trail and everyone wanted a photo, so at each location there was a little bit of a wait until it was our turn. The children all lined up for a quick photo and then we had a nose in through the windows of the Aardman offices where there were loads of other giant sculptures of various Aardman characters.

Lotus

Lotus

We continued on our way, I was noting the changes that had happened in this area as we went and pointing out things that we used to do here. Places we watched the powerboats from, things we used to climb, places we swam and such like. Even the fact that the tramlines along the dockside were suicidal for bike wheels. ‘Back in the day’ we had to learn this the hard way but nowadays there were signs all over the place warning cyclists of the dangers before they worked it out for themselves!

Danger

Danger

Things were quite busy in Bristol and things have certainly changed. It was nice along the waterfront though with buskers here and there and stalls selling all sorts of things giving it a carnival atmosphere even though it was just a normal Saturday afternoon in town. There was a Shaun in the City centre in the Watershed where we all managed to get silly hats to wear. Yes, we all put them on and Morgan, Anna and I kept ours on all day despite the funny looks we got from people!

Sheep Hat

Sheep Hat

By now we had found quite a few sheep and there were more to find around the waterfront in this area.

We took a bit of a convoluted route around @Bristol, the Aquarium and the Amphitheatre but we went right past my old school and we were ticking off sheep and a dung beetle as we went.

We also popped into a triathlon shop and emerged to a torrential downpour. It didn’t last long though and afterwards things started to brighten up a bit. The section of docks along here has been completely transformed. The old dock buildings and storage sheds have all gone, replaced with a vibrant community of expensive flats, waterside bars and a network of paths and walkways. They have even created floating habitats along the edge of the docks where plants grow and waterfowl roam. It’s really nice along here now and so much busier than it used to be.

Harbourside

Harbourside

We were even lucky enough to see the Matthew sail by as we stood there looking at the dockside views.

There were plenty more Shaun’s to find as well. And Anna and I even got in on the photo action too.

On The Waterfront

On The Waterfront

The changes never stop. When I used to frequent this area of the docks there were huge mountains of sand from the sand dredging boats, but now there are houses, private gardens and loads of people. It’s all done nicely though and does look better than the old industrial past. It smells nicer too! We had almost finished the trail now, just a couple more sheep and then time to head home. The sun eventually made an appearance, just in time for a selfie and photo of the shadow our silly hats were casting.

A nice way to spend the day, lots of memories of Bristol, lots of sheep to find and the kids enjoyed running around together. Best of all, it was all free so we treated ourselves to an ice cream at the end of it.

1 Response

  1. Avatar forComment Author mum says:

    Glad you enjoyed it.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.

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