It was a short week at work, only three days… which was kind of a mixed blessing. In one respect, I have so much work on my desk at the moment, that three days wasn’t enough to get though it, but on the other hand, I had Friday off so that Tricia and I could go to Bath with our friends Pat and Clive… which I was really looking forward to.

So, Friday morning I decided to forget about work, and go enjoy myself. Pat and Clive picked us up at around 9:30am, and we set off. We made good time, but got held up in Bath itself, finally arriving at our B&B at around 12:30. We offloaded our cases, and then went in search of what was supposed to be a light lunch… which we took at the Globe Inn. Here we are sat outside enjoying lunch, photo courtesy of one of the staff.

 

We then went into Bath itself, and visited the Abbey, a magnificent structure, and with the stonework cleaned inside and out it had a wonderfully light feel inside. Churches shouldn’t be dark places, and this one certainly isn’t. Six photo’s here of the Abbey outside, then inside with it’s fantastic ‘fan’ ceiling, and a onderful stained glass centre piece, covering around 50+ scenes from the Bible. Finally a picture of Clive, who is our local Church Warden, and who found the Church Warden seats in the Abbey.

 

After the Abbey, and a little wander taking in the atmosphere of Bath, we went for tea at the Pump Rooms. Tricia had booked us a table some time back. Trouble was, even after a light lunch, we weren’t particularly hungry…. but you know how it is when beautiful sandwiches, scones and cakes are on offer… you force yourself! Here we are, and also a picture of me trapping Pat in the revolving doors.

 

After we came out and had started to walk up to the Crescent it started to hail and pour with rain. And so back to the B&B. We had taken a ‘park and ride’ option which proved to be easy, and good value. The ‘park’ was near to the B&B, and the ride was on a bus doing a trip at least every 15 minutes. When we got back we had a sit down for an hour of so…. well, I laid on the bed and nearly fell asleep… before we got changed and went down to the Globe for a splendid evening meal. Tricia felt at the end of the day that she had eaten too much and was feeling uncomfortable…. I on the other hand had a cracking good nights sleep.

Breakfast was at 8:30am, Tricia and I made it down on time. We were staying at a farmhouse about 7 miles out of the city centre, a lovely quiet location. After a good breakfast it was off to the Park and Ride again, for a trip into Bath. In the morning we went to the Roman Baths. Now I remember being here as a kid, but had forgotten the wonders of the Roman Baths. Perhaps being older I can only now appreciate more the work the Romans did with the naturally warm spring waters. A very innovative civilization.

 

After the Roman Baths we went up to Fashion Musuem, which was in the same building as the Assembly Rooms, as popularised in the Jane Austen novels, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. This included the Ball Room… it was great to stand in the same room where 200 years ago the Georgians danced their Quadrilles. We had coffee / tea, before going into the fashion musuem. Here is the Ball Room, and ane of Pat and Clive trying on some Victorian wear in the Fashion Musuem.

 

It was then we walked up to the Crescent which typifies the Georgian style of Bath. It was sightly disappointing because some houses have not retained the same look, and some of the uniformity has been lost. Impressive nonetheless.

 

It was then back into the city centre. We had not had lunch, looking for a lighter day than the previous day, and having a substantial breakfast, none of us really felt we needed lunch. But we did treat ourselves to a Bath bun. Not particularly exciting…. but we ticked the box and won’t be buying them again. Here are two miserable old gits sitting on a the bench in Bath after their buns…

 

It was then a quick dash back to the B&B, a cup of tea, and then back into Bath. We dined at the theatre restaurant before going into a old style theatre to watch ‘Birds of a Feather’ which was on tour. It was ok, funny in places, but perhaps a little cliched. Tricia and Pat enjoyed it.

 

Bath City Centre was a lively affair in the evening with lots of stag parties and hen parties wandering the streets… a bit different from the daytime. It was straight back to the B&B after the show…. and we slept well. This morning we were up for breakfast at the same time. Tricia took a couple of pics from our bderoom window… lovely views.

 

Then it was back to Bath for the final time. I went to the Jane Austen centre, whilst the others went for a walk along the river. I love the Jane Austen novels, and she lived in Bath for a period her life. So, I enjoyed the musuem and exhibits, and then went to look at 25 Gay Street, where she lived for a period of time after her fathers death. Here is the house, now a firm of solicitors, and a picture of the Circus, just around the corner. The Circus and the Crescent were the posh parts of Bath.

 

It was then into the car. We drove to Shepton Mallet, which isn’t far from Bath, and where Tricia was born. We had a drink and a snack there, before weaving back home via Swindon. A wonderful break, good comapny and good fun.

In other news… Nice to see the Eightlem News back in production this week. Tricia has had Roy the handyman in this week to refresh a lot of the paintwork. Next week he is doing the fencing in the back garden. Robbie goes back to Uni tomorrow….. Now, I am tired and I have work tomorrow, so if you will excuse me, I am off to bed.