Bristol

Happy (belated) Independence Day! We spent July 4th in Bristol, starting with a tour of the SS Great Britain. The ship was designed by I.K. Brunel, was built in Bristol, and launched by Prince Albert on July 19, 1843. It was the first iron ship to sail the Atlantic, and was propeller-driven (instead of paddle-wheel). It sailed for 43 years, and circled the world 32 times! It's been amazingly restored and was a great tourist experience. After visiting the SS Great Britain, we had lunch at a French cafe, then set off on our own to walk around Bristol.

Our second concert was in the evening. We met up with the Redland Wind Band for a joint concert celebrating Independence Day, featuring American and English works. Each band played separately, then we played two pieces together - "Deep Water Bay", written by Adam Levowitz, our director, and "Stars and Stripes Forever". Both bands played beautifully; the crowd, who had paid admission (proceeds went to charity), seemed to agree. After the concert, we had some snacks and socializing with the other band, and people are already thinking about when and how they might come visit us in the United States.

Today we are off to Oxford, with tea at the home of one of our members' parents...then we check in to our new hotel in London.