Nations

[Haze]

Hmm interesting... thanks...

[Libbella]

Ooops.A little bit of Bulgaria here.

[Gav]

Everyone I know who's been to Bath says it's a great place - how unlike Bristol.

[Boo Boo Too]

Bristol isn't all bad - they gave me an MSc, so can't complain ;-)

Boo

[Haze]

hmm never been to Bristol. One of my new fresher friends is from Bristol, I will have to get her to take me so I can verify your claims...

[ 12-07-2001: Message edited by: Haze ]</p>

[Gav]

Myabe I'm just biased, but I based my comment on my experience from fencing there. I've seen doumentaries about Bristol and it's meant to be this hip place (!) yet when I was there it looked a bit depressed and run down. I arrived in my BnB and asked for directions to the venue. The the owner gave me an, "are you crazy?" look then pointed me in the right direction. It didnt seem too far away so I walked. Once I'd started I realised that he thought I was crazy not because of the distance but because of the neighbourhood. Frightening place (do you guys know what schemie means?). Perhaps it was just the area I was in, but still - not good. Bristol also has to have the worst taxi service in the country - even the locals warned us about it.

Found a 1/2 decent curry house nearby so it wasn't all bad.

[Boo Boo Too]

The area (Kingswood) in which the Bristol Open is held seems okay: just one big sprawling housing estate. There are certainly worse bits of Bristol. My favourite bits of Bristol are near the University: Park Street, Whiteladies Road, Clifton and the Clifton Downs area. The first two are very happening places (lots of bars, restaurants, clubs and studenty things), the latter two are some of the more afluent, classy areas of Bristol.

Bath is. IMHO, a nicer city because it is more compact (everything within walking distance) and less crime (or, at least, less violent crime). Lots of culture and not too many sprawling housing estates. Lots of homeless people, though (which is sad).

Bristol certainly has some attractions, but I am definitely a Bath person (but I am not a big city person, so not surprising).

Boo

[Zelda]

Geez Gav!!! Put a girl off before she even starts!!! I was thinking of doing the Bristol next year (Whenever it is....) Oh well. My first attempt at a British open event will probably be either the Scottish Open or the Cambridge Winter......havent decided yet, its either those or the Northern Ireland Open the next weekend!

[Boo Boo]

Zelda

Don't worry about the Bristol Open venue: it really isn't that bad at all. I presided at the British Youth Championships (Under 12s and Under 14s) there last May: if they send several hundred kids there, its not going to be that bad.... The British Youth Championships are in Stoke on Trent this year - not so handy for Bath, but do get to see another bit of the world...

Have never done any of the Opens which you mentioned (Scottish, Northern Ireland or Cambridge). Looking at the results from last year (womens foil), the Cambridge is probably the most challenging and the closest. Cambridge is a nice city and some of the Boston fencers might be going (so you might be able to get a lift). Still the Scottish would probably be fun (the Scottish fencers are a nice bunch) and there should be some good people there. Quite expensive to get there though. Northern Ireland wouldn't be that strong, but if you wanted to see Northern Ireland it would be a good way to combine tourism with fencing.

I still recommend going to Slough, as well, if you are free during the first week in February.

How is fencing at Boston going or haven't you had much time this term?

Boo

[Zelda]

Totally forgotten about the Slough!!! Fencing has been good. I would love to get there 3 times a week but have to be happy with once to twice a week at the moment.

[Boo Boo]

Don't forget Slough :-)

Who is coaching you - Tomeck (sp?) or Dave?

Boo

P.S. yes, I know it is cold. I am going to Denmark for a couple of days tomorrow (work) and so am bracing myself for it to be even colder (7.10am flight out of Heathrow tomorrow - joy!)

[Zelda]

Boo, I have most of my lessons with Dave, though I have had a lesson with Tomek.

[Gav]

Bristol = not that bad at all!!! Geez you guys must have fenced in some bad areas. I come from Edinburgh I know what bad areas look like (Niddrie, Craigmillar, Wester hailes etc *shiver*). Also one of my compatriots got her car broken into, all her stuff nicked, and when the police found it it had been trashed. She's had to replace the lot (and I mean it). And don't start me on the Taxi service...

Anyway I'm not gonna bash it anymore. Just cos it's a rough looking neighbourhod shouldn't put anyone off. This is Britain after all and what we think is bad is probaby not when you compare it with elsewhere in the world. Zelda, go to Bristol experience it it's one of the tougher tourneys in Britain. If you come up for the Scottish Open I will be there fencing in the Epee (and with my current form - badly) - come up and say, "Hi!". Look for the scruffy, Scot's bloke. with long hair and a goatee. (probably with some kind of off-colour kit)

[ 12-11-2001: Message edited by: Gav ]</p>

[Zelda]

Gav, IF I do the Scottish, I'll be long haired strawberry blonde doing women's foil looking slightly bewildered! (and most probably with an entourage of friends)