For my 13th birthday, my parents bought me a Shaun the Sheep bag. (Remember that whole “animals as bags” trend back in the 90’s? I also had a Kermit, but it wasn’t as big inside) I used it for school on non uniform days and became known as the girl with the sheep bag. (Oh CHS, ever so creative) I have been a fan of Wallace and Gromit for as long as I can remember, and I still love watching the films, even though I’ve seen them so many times before. So I was pretty damn excited when I heard that there would be 80 giant Gromits all around Bristol for the summer. Here are a few pictures of the Gromit’s around my office
This guy is probably my favourite – his name is Isembark Kingdog Brunel, and of course, he is dressed up as Isembard Kingdom Brunel, who is a huge part of Bristol history.
I was so excited to hear that there would be a Simon’s Cat Gromit, because who doesn’t love that cat? Each of the tiny little pictures covering his body were hand drawn which you can see in this video
Finally, Gromit Lightyear, of course designed by Pixar. He sailed to California so they could decorate him – there’s a video about this on the Detect-o-Gromit app (the modern way of checking off what you’ve seen on a map!) which tells you some interesting things – on one of his feet is written “ANDY” which you’ll get if you’ve ever seen any Toy Story films. I love that sort of attention to detail – no one is ever going to see that, but we know it’s there and that makes me happy.
The Gromits will be around the city until the 8th September (I wish they were a permanent thing!) and will be auctioned off on 3rd October to raise money for the Grand Appeal, which helps the Children’s Hospital in Bristol. If you don’t manage to catch all 80 though, they’ll all be on show at the RWA from 18th to 30th September – I’m so excited!
I’ve loved this so much. We’ve ticked off 79 now – although one was only through seeing a picture at the site – grr to vandalism/wear and tear. Think we’ll be doing 80 on Friday.
It’s been good for giving us a few more ideas of places to go – Tyntesfield and the arboretum, Windmill hill city farm and I’m a bit tempted to go to the veggie cafe at Riverside garden centre!
Oh I love Wallace and Gromit, definitely the best duo out there! I really want to see all of these but I haven’t been to Bristol for ages, I will have to head to that exhibition instead :)
Maria xxx
I had a Shaun the Sheep backpack! Nostalgia is making me way too excited to share that… The Temple Meads one was one of my faves too, as was the one outside St mary Redcliffe church as it was covered in the colourful houses of Totterdown. x