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a little more about Bristol
 Bristol has been a port for a thousand years but came to prominence after the Norman invasion of 1066. By the 14th century the city was trading with Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean and Iceland. After the discovery of America, Bristol was the main point of departure for voyages to the New World. In the mid-18th century, Bristol was England's second city. The country was flooded with goods imported via Bristol, including cane sugar, tobacco, rum and cocoa. By the 19th century Bristol's fortunes slowed.
The Avon's tides left many ships dangerously marooned, and its bends caused problems for the new, bigger merchant ships. But with the arrival in 1831 of Isambard Kingdom Brunel at Bristol docks a new era had begun. Later in 1833 Brunel was appointed chief engineer of the Great Western Railway, and his work linked London to Bristol helped to establish him as one of the world's leading engineers.
Modern Bristol is one of the most popular British cities and was recently shortlisted for European Capital of Culture 2008.
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