Friday 15 May 2009

Christmas Steps

I was in Bristol recently and took a walk down St. Michael's Hill. Having driven up and down the hill several times before, I hadn't realised quite how steep it was until I walked it.




After reaching the bottom of the hill, I saw this across the road...

Naturally I was intrigued and had to see more, so on the way back, I had a closer look.


These two pictures were taken looking up, and then down, from the bottom of the first flight of steps.

Of course I had to Google it, and there's a nice article on the BBC Bristol website. According to the plaque on the right hand side of the street above "This streete was steppered done and finished 1669". You can see some close-ups and the full wording here .
Incidentally, I didn't walk back up St. Michael's Hill - I took a taxi. It just looked too much like hard work.




9 comments:

Donna said...

Hahahaa...Gads! Those steps tired ME out!!! Glad you had a good time though! Happy sleep sweetie!!hughugs

Anvilcloud said...

That was pretty clever to walk down and not up.

Sally said...

Whoa! 1669, that was a LONG time ago!! You live in such an amazing place, Dee. Hey, I probably wouldn't have even made it down without crawling. hahahaha

Have a wonderful day!

Jeanette said...

WOW That looks like a neat place to explore! Have a great weekend.

Middle Ditch said...

It's a bit like my hill. Great to walk down but a pain to walk back up to go home. Lovely pics and those steps are great!

Leigh Russell said...

The street was "steppered done" ! Does 'done' mean 'down' or the job was done, I wonder? Made me tired just looking at all those steps. And 1669! That's amazing.

Shammickite said...

I haven't been to Bristol in years and years, but I remember that steep hill, but I haven't seen the Christmas Steps before.... what a nice old staircase! Lucky you to visit such an interesting place.

Grumpy Old Ken said...

Lovely pictures. once went for a job interviw in a remand centre in bristol (Kingswood?) Funny where life takes us.

Unknown said...

Now I understand why it is so difficult to go to Heaven. This stairway is so steep. :-)
You gave us a lot to read and learn about the old city. I've never been in Bristol, a long time ago I've been in Swansea and Cardiff in Wales.