Captain’s Blog Stardate 4th June 2016;

Activity; first phase launch of the Sensory Treasure Island Trail.

Location; Benjamin Perry Boathouse, Redcliffe Wharf, Bristol, England (or, as we like to call it, Betty’s Boathouse).

Our main project for 2016, with kind support from the Cabot Neighbourhood Partnership, is to create a sensory aspect to our Trail and to this end we’ve had our colleagues at PROPS growing special plants.

Some of the plants weren’t quite ready in time so the Trail was augmented, in double quick time, with more planting; petunia’s, pansies, lobelia’s, curry plants, cineraria’s … smell, touch, colour, all appertaining to characters and episodes from T.I. – huge thanks to Tracey from PROPS, Trustees Chris and Sal for planting them all so beautifully.

Unfortunately our timing was a bit off as Bristol happened to be ‘Protest Central’ in Britain that day – anti-fascist, anti-immigration and pro-refugee marches all converging around us.

17 hardy followers commenced the Trail in King Street (at Black Spot ‘A’) – Trustees Mark providing the background and Chris the explanation as to why the plants were chosen and what they represented.

Black Spot ‘C’ on Welsh Back provided the most amusing highlight. The chapter headed ‘Captains Papers’ representing the commencement of many a Bristol based voyage of adventure, not just the Hispaniola but also real life vessels like Woodes Roger’s Duke and Dutchess.

Just as Mark was pointing out Woodes Roger’s house in Queen Square, the square was filled with Naked Cyclists! – each one baring a black spot …

After completing the Trail we retired to the Boathouse for pizza’s and storytelling, Blackbeard losing his bonce a la the Hairy Bikers and an abridged version of Treasure Island with Trustee ‘Billy Bones’ Fairney stealing the show as ever with his renditions of Blind Pew and Ben Gunn.

Huge thanks to Betty for our booking, Gareth at Woodchoppizza, the team at PROPS and all of our Trustees and friends for making it happen.