Adventures in Bath

On Wednesday, I drove myself to Bath, about an hour's drive away. It was a rainy day but not too cold. The first thing I did was to tour the roman baths which were quite interesting. Their antiquity was impressive, certainly the oldest ruins I've ever seen (which isn't saying much for my experience). However, the audio guide which I rented kept talking about the “ramons” and once in a while threw in “roman ruins”. I thought this a bit quirky but very british. My favorite part of the “Ramon Baths” was the ancient plaque of “Sulis”, some kind of roman diety. His face is strangely scary and benevolent at the same time. I also got a kick out of all the animal faces carved in stone, these are just a few.

At the roman baths

Ink and pastel drawing of Sulis

Bath Abbey

 Next, I went to the enormous Bath Abbey. It was impressive! I wanted to take a tour and paid for what I thought was a walk around of the main abbey. Turned out it was the tower tour-involving climbing some 200+ tiny stairs up to the top of the abbey. Well, it was an adventure. I got to see the bell ringing room, the back of the clock, stand it the bell chamber while the bells rang the ½ hour, ( it was loud but thrilling) and then stand on the tallest tower. I think it is the tallest building in Bath, the view was wonderful. Going down the stairs was the hardest part, between bifocals and astigmatism, boots and stiff ankles, I was glad when I was down! It was worth it, though.                                                                                                   

Some of the very ornate stone carving on the Abbey.

Inside the Abbey. The walls and floors are covered with inscriptions and tributes to the illustrious dead, including Americans.

The infamous steps to the top of the abbey, as you can see, these are original and very worn. Kind of slippery, too.

The back of the clock

The view from the abbey tower

And there I am, at the top!

The Pump Room Restaurant

Souvenir shop bag

Me with the most photographed man in Bath.

Pen and pastel drawing of 

Jane Austin Center souvenirs.

I then went into the Pump Room, which is now a very nice restaurant and had a little lunch, then popped over to a souvenir shop to get a t-shirt that Inger-Lis had requested. Here is the bag it was in, I won't show the shirt 'cause she hasn't seen it yet. I then hopped on a sight-seeing bus for awhile and got off at the Jane Austen Center, where I had my picture taken with this jolly fellow, said to be the most photographed man in Bath! The center is quite small but fun for Jane Austin fans, of which I am one!!! I didn't learn anything new (I could probably be a guide myself without any training) but they had lovely display from the numerous movies made from her novels and I bought some lavender ink and a pretty pen from the gift shop. I had planned on also going to the Fashion Museum across the street but alas, it was closing for the day in 20 minutes. So I walked up the street to see the famous Crescent of Bath with its upscale apartments for the rich and famous of Jane Austin's day. I had to walk back to my car at this point because the sight-seeing bus was on its last run to the other side of town. I got lost for awhile, found the car park, fought traffic in Bath (traffic is TERRIBLE in Bath at all times, the streets are just too tiny, winding and narrow), and then found that the most direct way home was detoured due to an accident. I had to take the long way home and my garmin sat-nav was very confused. I didn't get home until about 7 o'clock. Next time, I'll plan for more time in Bath!