Time flies, and we had our annual Christmas lunch at Charl & Jacqueline’s home! Great food, great company, fantastic “Secret Santa” presents, and some great games!
We also had a Christmas Quiz – with two tasty prizes! What a way to prepare for Christmas!
In order to welcome all new group members, and just to get to know each other a bit better, we went to one of our favourite restaurants again … Cosmo!
As usual, the quality (and quantity!) of food was excellent! Unfortunately not everyone could join in, but this means that we will just have to go soon again!
Charl had his birthday recently, and we celebrated with friends, former group members and colleagues, and consumed lots of cake!
Here Charl and the group with some evidence of cake still left!
It was with a heavy heart that we all said goodbye to Wei, as she headed back to Xi’an after a year in the FRG. It was great to have her around as a visitor from the Xi’an Jiaotong University. We said goodbye in the traditional fashion – with pizza, and lovely cakes (made by Maha)!
We look forward to catch up with Wei – in Xi’an as we continue to collaborate, or hopefully back here in Bristol!
It was high time for the Faul Research Group (and friends) to have a social get together again! We made use of the fantastic (late) summer weather, and had a wonderful BBQ in the gardens of BISC.
Great weather, great food and great company!
It was time again for the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest balloon festival! It was a spectacular weekend of beautiful balloons and a festive atmosphere in Bristol! Several of the FRG group members joined in the fun – here some photos from them!
Please also see “The Guardian” newspaper’s photos here!
Great weather, hot air balloons, and various festivals (including the Harbour Festival, and the Urbain Paint Festival) is probably the best description of Bristol at the moment!
Here a photo taken from Charl’s office, showing a hot air balloon in front of the cathedral! What a great place to live!
Esther successfully defended her MSc thesis earlier this week. She did a great job, and both the examiners (Dr George Whittell, as internal, and Dr Louis Adriaenssens from the University of Lincoln) were very impressed with her performance! With the viva behind her, Esther is ready to join the BCFN as PhD student in September.
Of course we celebrated afterwards! Well done Esther!
Bristol International Student Centre (or better known as BISC) is the home away from home for all international students. BISC is turning 40 this year, and lots of people are helping to raise funds for a building project at the BISC premises.
Kazu helped out at the Gala Fundraising Dinner on Saturday evening (and washed hundreds of dishes!), and Horatio ran the Bristol 10K on Sunday (in the impressive time of 47 minutes!).
Well done both, and thanks for your efforts! Happy Birthday BISC!
Professor Rasmita Raval spent the afternoon in Bristol on Friday – as the external examiner for James’ viva! James did a great job, and successfully passed – well done Dr Thomas!
The Faul and Hall groups all joined in and congratulated James afterwards!
Faul Research Group 