We’ve been on the Gromit Unleashed Trail in Bristol, this weekend. We found 55 out of the 80 Gromits.
I’ll spare you from viewing all 55 of them. I did take all their portraits, from several directions. Several times………
I love all the ideas and creativity. I loved the Lions in Bath three years ago, but somehow Gromit allows more humour.
Bristol is the home of Aardman Animation, the creators of Wallace and Gromit. I think Gromit was a fabulous choice for the trail. It was great to see other Bristol landmarks featured, as well.
We thrilled bored the children showing them where we used to work, live and first met in Bristol. They were far more interested in spotting the next Gromit. I see their point. It was a lot of walking, but they all bounced along and had a wonderful time.
One thing I noticed was that once you were clutching your Gromit Unleashed Trail map, you became part of a huge, moving community. People would shout across the road to tell you that you were going the wrong way or where the next one was, if you looked lost. As I stood photographing the Gromits, I would learn the next best one to visit and the features to look out for, from the person standing next to me. Some people, we kept bumping into, so we could compare notes.
Second thing I noticed was that most people used their phone cameras to photograph the Gromits. Anything more bulky, was rare.
The Gromits are all so different. Humour, beauty and fantastic painting techniques abound. There are some wonderful puns. The children are still chortling over the Two Eds (Balls and Miliband) featuring on one of the Gromits.
Not all are in Bristol. Some are in the surrounding area, like Cheddar. A perfect location for Wallace and Gromit.
There is still time to go to Bristol and see them all (except no 80, which is in Paddington, London), before they are all auctioned off for charity.
The children would like to spend tomorrow’s bank holiday, looking for the rest. I’m happy with 55, although……. I wish we had seen the Where’s Wallace Gromit …….and there was that one that looked pretty good, just off that road,……….
(One more off our Summer List)
For an eleven years take on the Gromits, take a look at AJ’s write-up on her blog. All her own photos too. Also pop over to the Gromit Unleashed site to find out about the The Grand Appeal.
(edited: seen 80 Gromits)
Linking up with all the #CountryKids….
I was just looking at the Gromit Unleashed website this morning as it is something I want to do before summer is out and also thought it would be a great day to explore Bristol more – we have plans to move that way soon – I need to get organised this week then really! Great pics x
Defintely go. (Trail map is OK, but I suspect the app is better.) Apart from seeing the Gromits, you will get to see a lot of Bristol too. We had a lovely walk around the harbour area yesterday and then up to Clifton, where the bridge was the back drop. Bristol is a great city to be in.
How great is that – going on a Gromit hunt! They are definitely works of art and it’s nice that they are going to be auctioned off for charity. Have fun finding the rest and thanks for linking up and sharing your fab photos with Country Kids.
Amazing how far we walked. Loved showing the children different areas such as Christmas Steps and St Nicholas Market, which they’d never seen before. Places I used to wander around at lunch times.
oh what fun!!
they’re all so fantastic but i love that sir grommit the best!! what a perfect summer quest!
He was very popular. Lots of people hovering trying to get their photos. I had my three children very well trained. On command, they jumped in to take their positions by the Gromits and as soon as I’d taken their photo, they were off, ready for the next children to have theirs. It was quite slick by the end of the trail!
Hi there! We love Wallace and Gromit. What a cool exhibit. One of our favorite things when the older kids were young and still at home, was to make a big pot of tea, fix a huge plate of cheese and crackers, and watch Wallace and Gromit DVDs. I’ll always be grateful to Wallace for introducing us to wensleydale cheese. 😆 Also, I must try to make some of those lavender wands. They look very pretty.
We love the films. And the cheese. Such a good choice. Hope you do give the lavender wands a go.
This is my first time to your blog. Hooray!
Oh my this looks wonderful!
My son and I are very much fans of W. and G. I can’t wait to show him your post…he’s gonna flip.
PS:
Your pictures are lovely. I bet you didn’t take them on a phone camera…or did you?
A big welcome to you! We love Wallace and Gromit too. Bit spoilt being so close to Bristol. The trail is great fun and such a fabulous cause.
No, I didn’t use a phone camera. Not that I have anything against them…. I used photos from my phone on a recent post…..but I just have more control of my bulky, not-fit-in-the-back-pocket camera. I was more interested that times are changing. Life experienced through a phone camera is becoming the norm.
Oh I just totally love it – how fun!! Hope you have a great weekend!!!
It is fab. I think most people who start the trail become a bit obsessed with it. Combination of increasing the tally and the limited period. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and aren’t too chilly!
I was wondering if you could tell me roughly how many hours it took you and how long the question where…? Love the pics….
I’ve not added up the time taken. The Gromit Unleashed Trail map gives three walks which almost covers half of them. They add up to about 3 hours walking. There are two more clusters that could be walked in 1 hour and half an hour each. The rest are more spaced out. There are two above Bristol and four to the south. I think you’d be hard pushed to do it all in a day and enjoy it. No. 80 is back in Bristol at the weekend. The walks around the middle of Bristol are a nice way to see the city. Hope that helps.