Bath and the Big City

Today we were up early for our drive to Bath which is about two hours away depending on many things here like pheasants, tractors, badgers, etc.  When we went out to start loading the car (we take all of our coats, rain gear, additional shoes, maps, guide books, something to drink and our cameras.....whew, we ran into Felicity and Tony in the courtyard.  Always very chatty and helpful they were trying to tell us a place to park in Bath to keep away from the downtown congested area.  Anyway, soon we were on the road.  We found a great radio station out of London called Smooth and they play a variety of old songs that we can sing to which has made it fun.  We may not be good singers but we are fun!

We had not been in this direction before so once past Bourton on the Water, it was new territory and Kay handled it like a champ.  Disregarding previous advice, we head into the city to a parking area Kay had researched online.  Because they were working on the road, we missed it the first go round but not worries...Kay just did a 360 in the round about and we went back.  The first lot was short term and we needed more time so we went to the next one down the street and easily found a place next to the Cricket Club and Fields which we took pictures of returning to the car.  We walked a few blocks to where Bath Abbey was and the Roman Baths were around the corner.  After visiting the Tourist Information office where we purchased tickets for the Hop On/Hop Off double decker bus we went to the Baths first.


Lindsay would have loved this as there were a lot of Latin sayings and descriptions of the time here.  I took a couple photos of things we found in Latin so maybe she can translate them.  It is wild to see the steam coming off the water and bubbles in the pools from the hot springs that fill the area.  They are still uncovering much of this area below street level and I can't imagine how dark it must have been in some of those rooms at the time.  It was interesting to see the roman architecture here with the statues and carved stones.  We enjoyed the visit.  The Pump Room is the elegant tea room that is street level.  We decided to go to the coffee house across the street and grab a quick snack and drink and continue on.  Kay was beside herself because the had Hummingbird cake there which is her favorite.  I had my second cup of coffee since being in England.  It started to rain while we were in the coffee house but by the time we got up to the bus stop it had stopped.  People will soon be paying Kay to show up in their villages to stop the rain!  We got on the bus and it never rained again until we were almost home last night.  When we boarded the bus we went upstairs and each took two seats in the very front.  There is a slight overhang with some protection.  We were the only ones up there so she took the two seats on the right and I the same on the left.  Soon another couple comes up and looks at us and say they want to sit in the empty seats (well we had our stuff there).  Kay was irritated and she got her stuff and moved behind me.  I decided I couldn't take photos there anyway through the glass and the sun was now out (of course) so I moved behind Kay.  Our plan was to get off at the Crescents which is a crescent shaped building as you would guess but one of the first ones ever built.  One of the units is open and restored and this is what Kay wanted to do. The bus stopped a block away and we decided to get off at the next stop which was below.  We were going to go visit the open unit and walk around the area and catch another bus back to the Abbey.  Well, the bus driver never stopped at the second stop and therefore we weren't able to get off.  Between the bus not stopping and the people wanting us to move, this was not a good trip on the bus.  I wanted to stay on and go again and tell the driver but she was too upset and didn't want to.  We did get to take some interesting photos.  We passed a large area behind some large apartment (at least we think so) buildings that looked to have a community area to plant your own garden.  This city has a very European feel to it and after being in the country for two weeks, I decided I prefer our Cotswolds to the big city.  We went into the Abbey and took some photos and then walked around.  We Went to the Jane Austen Center where Mr. Bennett was outside posing for photos.  Check Kay's blog for those.  After dinner at Sally Lund's which is the oldest bunnery in Bath, we headed home.  Of course we always find fun things that grab our attention.  I took the seagull photos for you Debbie and Kay and I want to know if horses play badmitton because we saw a sign!

The drive home once we were in the hood again was raining sheep and lambs.  We ate a lite dinner in, had some wine and watched two more episodes of Downton Abbey.  It is really fun now knowing where all of these things are having been there.  It rained the hardest it has rained since we've been here last night and was still raining this morning.  We are having a leisurely morning and are getting ready now to head out.  Well done us!

Make it bigger and see if you can translate it Lindsay

Steam coming off the water

You can see the steam in the light

These are all the don'ts before you go out to the baths...

 

Translate please Lindsay...it's a tombstone.

Kay and Mr. Bennett

Cricket Players

Scenery above Bath

Horses trying out for badmitton?  Bahahaha