Today's update will see Lockhart Island recede over the horizon as we head back up river to explore Bunting. Here's where we're heading

Bunting, Aulburn, and Lockhart, are the Rossignol area's original settlements so our visit to Bunting fills in the story of Rossingol's early origins. Bunting is directly across the river from Aulburn and the two communities have been traditional rivals. Before roads and railroads and large ships, they competed to dominate trade and commerce along the Aulburn River. While Aulburn always seemed to come out ahead in those early days, Bunting ended up with the last laugh as the forces of urbanization and industrialization propelled Rossignol from a series of small independent settlements into one large metropolitian area. Bunting's location on the Aulburn River's east bank meant it was more readily able to tap into the growth of Rossignol as a whole. Today, it's hard to pick out the exact boundaries between Bunting and surrounding neighbourhoods in the urban jungle. Below are some of the spots around Bunting we'll visit

We'll start where Bunting began, the waterfront!

Bunting's waterfront is defined by the nearby headland, Point Avorn. The Point creates a quiet cove right in front of Bunting. A gentle current, a sheltered cove, and relatively deep water made for a perfect stopping place for river boats. As the patterns of trade changed and boats were replaced with roads and rail for moving goods, Bunting had to redefine the waterfront. Luckily, the solid stone quays weren't going anywhere and, today, the waterfront is a hub for pleasure boats, locals, and visiting sightseers.

The view from the waterfront across Bunting's cove to Point Avorn and Aulburn (the sandy bit and wind turbines) beyond

The smell of sweet magnolias dominates along the the waterfront walk in the spring.

The waterfront's cove ends in one of Rossignol's few marshes. Much of the Aulburn River's course through the Rossignol area is cut through steep banks, which doesn't leave much space for low-lying marshes. Around Bunting though, there is a relatively level area that's just perfect for a range of wetland plants and grasses. Bunting's marsh was never given much respect in the past. About half the marsh was lost to infilling as Bunting's growth took its toll on the natural environment. A significant restoration effort in recent years though has brought back what's left of this unique habitat. Once again the calls of herons, ducks, and other wetland critters can be regularly heard along Bunting's waterfront.

Leading up from the waterfront is Bunting Boulevard. Like across the river in Aulburn, Bunting's founders set City Hall on top of the hill with a commanding view of the waterfront below. While Aulburn just ran a street down to their waterfront and called it a day, Bunting's opted for a wide formal avenue. Bunting Boulevard is the civic space that links City Hall to the waterfront.

Old and new framed with flowers along Bunting Boulevard.

Looking down Bunting Boulevard towards the waterfront.

Bunting City Hall at the other end of the Boulevard. The wires from the tramline throws off the carefully arranged architectural symmetry. The Town's original planner would no doubt disapprove of this utilitarian sacrifice of the original vista.

Bunting City Hall was built to replace an earlier wood structure that was lost to fire. Bunting's first City Hall was burned by a pack of rowdy sailors (aka Rivermen). The Rivermen descended upon City Hall after one of their colleagues dispute with a local innkeeper over what was owed for room and board escalated. City Hall was where Bunting's meager police force was based and where the defendant was held. The mob of Rivermen forcefully freed their compatriot and in the excitement set the building a blaze. A rather rash move that they didn't have long to regret. The Rivermen fled, but the next morning Bunting's outraged residents formed their own mob. They caught up with the Rivermen a few kilometers up river and brought them back to Bunting. A trial was held on the grounds of the still smouldering City Hall and in one of the Baltic Republic's last executions, they were hanged for their crimes on the same spot. A new brick City Hall eventually rose in place of the old one and it's said to be haunted by the ghost of the 20 Rivermen. Today, Bunting City Hall is a municipal office since, like Lockhart and Aulburn, Bunting lost its local autonomy and is part of the Greater Rossingol Area.

Bunting City Hall, the Hofflich Building (the tallest in old Bunting) and Bunting Boulevard. The ornate Bunting Savings and Loan Building occupies the prominent corner just across from City Hall and was the main bank in the community before it merged with what is now the Baltic Republic's largest bank, the Great Baltic Bank (GBB or sometimes GB²)

Bunting City Hall isn't just a historic relic. The space around it is one of the major transit hubs in Rossignol's southwest. Several bus routes, Bunting's tramline, and Bunting's Metro all meet at City Hall. The Metro stop is an important one, offering service and transfers on either the Haloran or Capitol lines. The Capitol line runs Downtown and then across the Harbour to Elysia while the Haloran lines traverses Rossignol's south. The Bunting tramline is another good option for moving around the larger city since it snakes its way through Uptown Rossignol before crossing the Harbour into Lilten. You can really get to almost anywhere in Rossignol from Bunting City Hall.

The streets are often jammed with people transferring between Metro, bus, and tram. A decidedly big city feel that is in sharp contrast to the small-town character that Aulburn still holds onto.

The great tide of humanity comes spilling out onto the streets and sidewalks in Bunting whenever a Metro train rolls through.

The Bunting tramline that starts/ends at City Hall loops around the block before rejoining Mercier Street on its journey across Rossignol.

There are a couple of noteworthy sights/destinations just a few blocks to the south of Bunting Boulevard, the oldest of which is St. Charles Church

St. Charles has always played second fiddle to the religious leaders across the river at Aulburn Cathedral. St. Charles has always been a dependent parish, even as Bunting outgrew Aulburn. St. Charles has held onto it's small-town village church feel even as the population it serves has grown significantly. It is one of the oldest buildings in Bunting.

Behind St. Charles is Prentice Park. Prentice Park isn't really all that noteworthy. It's a typical small playground and greenspace. What's a bit different about Prentice Park is how steep the cliff is along the Park's eastern edge, so steep that no one ever built on it, leaving Prentice Park as greenspace. Prentice Park breaks up the rhythm of development in the area: even growing cities have to yield to the realities of difficult terrain now and then. Those steep riverbanks can be quite challenging!

Also just a few blocks away from Bunting City Hall is Albans College. Albans specializes in white collar professional trades. It's a great place to become a paralegal, a drafts person, accountant etc. The College's sunken front plaza is a popular space for students to hangout and, to the chagrin of college security, is also a favourite for skateboarders.

A short block away from Albans College is Bunting High School, the main high school in Bunting. Another urban high school that has to make due with little in the way of outdoor green space. Luckily, Bunting Park isn't far away.

No trip around Bunting would be complete without stopping to visit the jewel that is Bunting Park.

Located just a few blocks inland from City Hall, Bunting Park was once on the edge of town. Set aside by Bunting's settlers for the common benefit of all, the land was first used to graze livestock. Once the City Beautiful movement got rolling though, Bunting's leaders opted to convert this Common land that was increasingly being surrounded by housing into a park. The result reflects the ideals of the time. The formal layout and symmetrical lines have carried forward to today with very few modifications.

If Aulburn gets a guy on a horse statue, Bunting needs one too. That's just how they roll.

Bunting Park isn't just green space, it's an important pedestrian connection between neighbourhoods.

The centre portion of Bunting Park is known as Bunting's lawn. Depending on the day, you can find people sunbathing, flying kites, or playing informal games like frisbee.

The western end of Bunting Park is planted with flowering trees. The grove can be quite stunning when it's in full bloom. A popular spot for wedding and prom photos. Plenty for young kids to do at this end of the Park too with two playgrounds.

That concludes today's tour. So long from Bunting for now