Today I walked down from 13 Woodland Road (sight of the History Department at Bristol University) to the Print Services office down the hill. There was an unexpected cost: my dissertation will be placed on the university’s library shelves. As such, it must be hardbound, black spine, gold lettering, my name, title, and year. It’s kind of cool, except for the paying for it part. But it’s in the rules!

Selfie over the Avon (at Castle Park camera looking southwest).

Selfie over the Avon (at Castle Park camera looking southwest).

Mixed feelings.

One, it’s quite an accomplishment. My dissertation will also be registered at the British Library in London. Folks can access my work through there, who knows, I may even get cited. However, a dissertation is not publication. It’s self published, yeah – by me! It doesn’t count.

So that’s the other side of the successful viva – getting published. That means a whole heck of a lot more work. And I also recognize that my research on Admiral John Byng is not close to being done. There remains a great deal of archival work, likely a traveling itinerary that includes the Midlands and counties north of that, and certainly archives along the eastern seaboard of the United States. I need all of this to get a truer story of the Byng affair.

Which is why I attended a two-hour seminar on grants and fellowships for the British Academy. Yet, success rates for even traveling funds are small.

Hmn…

Pics!

Hard to imagine, but this "Wake up to the City" poster is over 40' tall!

Hard to imagine, but this “Wake up to the City” poster is over 40′ tall!

Straight view south of the Avon River.

Straight view south of the Avon River.

Guard and shack house of the Prince Street Bridge.

Guard and shack house of the Prince Street Bridge.

View looking east from the Prince Street Bridge. That steeple belongs to St. Mary's Cathedral.

View looking east from the Prince Street Bridge. That steeple belongs to St. Mary’s Cathedral.

For those that watch 'Doc Martin' - this was the local neighborhood surgery. My GP worked here.

For those that watch ‘Doc Martin’ – this was the local neighborhood surgery. My GP worked here.

This was the old Southville Place neighborhood I used to live in. Follow the flatlined roofs left and you will see three gables - I lived in the third one.

This was the old Southville Place neighborhood I used to live in. Follow the flatlined roofs left and you will see three gables – I lived in the third one.

The local pub 'The Imp' ain't what it used to be - but it's still darn good!

The local pub ‘The Imp’ ain’t what it used to be – but it’s still darn good!

Built in the early eighteenth century, 'The Whole in the Wall' pub was named after ... well, the hole in the wall that was purposely drilled to keep a look out for navy impressment gangs.

Built in the early eighteenth century, ‘The Whole in the Wall’ pub was named after … well, the hole in the wall that was purposely drilled to keep a look out for navy impressment gangs. 

Castle Park is the site of St. Peter's Church. It's nothing more than a shell of its former self as it was bombed to near oblivion during WWII. It stays as a reminder.

Castle Park is the site of St. Peter’s Church. It’s nothing more than a shell of its former self as it was bombed to near oblivion during WWII. It stays as a reminder.

Another view of the St. Mary steeple with the colorful row of houses to the right.

Another view of the St. Mary steeple with the colorful row of houses to the right.

One of the old barges converted into living quarters is now for sale.

One of the old barges converted into living quarters is now for sale.

...and in case you're wondering.

…and in case you’re wondering.