Sunday 10 July 2011

You know you're back in Bristol when... By Kate

....despite living in an unfamiliar part of the city, you spot familiar faces in the local park the first morning after arrival.

We've been here just over a week now and in some respects, it's as if we never left. That's not to say there haven't been changes in Bristol in the two and a half years since we left to live in Madrid - there have been plenty of those. But they're largely superficial - new buildings, gaps where something's been demolished, newly created shops and walkways in the city centre etc. etc.

But old friends and acquaintances are already amassing on our social horizons and new connections are being made via Theo's job and our status as parents.

Take today - we decided, largely spontaneously, that we would make a trip to the St Werburghs City Farm then call in at St Andrews Park, where they were holding a community art day called Park Arts 2011. Our vague attempts to lasso a few people by text at the farm didn't work out, but after some time spent wandering past the stalls, activities and live music in the park.

After a sojourn in the play park so Rosie could go down the slide, we started bumping into people we knew. And more people we knew. And yet more. We could barely start a conversation with one, when another would appear. Theo make it his job to chase after Rosie (who especially enjoyed the Big R Big Band) while I tried to cram in a few years worth of catching up with various pals and make sure we were mutually mobiled for future appointments.

Needless to say, we all feel slightly exhausted after all the afternoon's excitement. Exhausted and happy to be in another place that already feels like home.

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