Into every life, a little rain must fall, but in our case, it's been an ocean. After our five dry London days, as well as a gloriously sunny day in Cambridge, for our stay in Bath, the skies opened up and we were deluged. Those with a sense of irony would say that it was only reasonable to expect to get soaked in Bath. However, we were prepared for the rain, so our exploration of this lovely city was largely unaffected. In fact, a rain-soaked 2-hour walking tour of the city was our test of endurance. Happily, with the distraction of an enthusiastic local guide, we passed with flying colours. Neither Bonnie nor I melted.
As a visitor, Bath is a very easy city to love. It’s quite attractive, partially because most of its buildings are made from a particular type of stone found in the area. The buildings are graceful and distinctive looking, and even the newer buildings are designed to resemble those dating back hundreds of years. While this may sound boring, it is anything but, and it’s simply impressive. Besides being good-looking, it's a friendly place. We felt really comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyed our days there.
Bath dates back to Roman times (which in this part of the country sounded like Roiman every time I heard the word)
. In fact, Bath is over 2000 years old, and much remains of the Roman's extensive engineering and architectural achievements. Without doubt, the highlight was the actual Roman Bath complex itself. Because Bath is the only source of hot springs in the country, the 'Roimans’ saw this as an important centre of health and religion. In its well-preserved bathhouse, the ancient main pool exists and is still being fed by the hot springs, but it is not used. It’s almost as large as a tennis court. With a little imagination, you can just picture it at its height, bursting with activity. Today, a few streets over from this ancient site sits a modern day bath spa, where for oodles of Pounds (the spendable kind), you too can luxuriate in the hot spring waters. Tourists flock to the place, but we didn’t fell like being ‘soaked’ again.
On yet another rainy, blustery day, we took a bus tour to Stonehenge. This trip left a lasting and unexpected impression on us, and I couldn’t stop snapping pix every few steps
. Stonehenge is in such a desolate location, on a misty silent windswept plain in the middle of nowhere. No one knows how or why it was built, or what it was used for. As we walked the path around it, we walked in silence-- not something we do often! We were wet and cold and shivering, but it was awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Given the weather and time of year, there weren’t a lot of others around. We were told that it is usually a circus-like atmosphere when the crowds descend. Turns out that the miserable weather worked in our favour.
Besides Stonehenge, we were taken to Lacock, a tiny village so quaint that it served as the location site for some of the Harry Potter movies’ scenes. We were shown the new pub in town--opened in 1610. Unbelievably, the other pub on town, The George, has been in continuous use since the 14th century! Inside, it was warm and toasty as we dried by the fire.
Well, that in a nutshell describes our time in Bath. Having been totally immersed and enchanted by Bath, we continued on to Liverpool, and my next blog entry will cover our time in the home of the Fab 4.
Immersed in Bath
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Bath, England, United Kingdom
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2025-02-16
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cissie.retired
2012-11-27
Good Afternoon, David and Bonnie,
It's just after noon here in Toronto and I have read your latest entry about Bath. How delightful. The main item in Ontario's Bath is a federal penitentiary!!! Go figure!
Hopefully, your weather will turn around again and you can enjoy sunny clear skies again. Take care, and I am really enjoying your travel entries as usual..
Cecile
The Sunnies
2012-11-27
While you were being soaked in Bath, we had our first snowfall of the season today. Not much but just enough to remind us that Old Man Winter is right around the corner.....I would prefer a bath in Bath!
Your vivid descriptions of the places you've visited truly make me feel as if I am experiencing these sights right alongside of you! Stonehenge has always fascinated me....such an intriguing array of stones and for what purpose were they put there? I can easily understand your silence as you walked beside such ancient architecture.....what puzzles me more is how in the world did they get those heavy stones where they are??? And who arranged them like this? Was there more tot he structure than is currently there? Hmmmmm....perhaps I need to do some research on all of the questions I have!!
Sounds as if you are thoroughly loving every moment of your time in England....may the joy and awe continue!
Miss and love you guys!!!
Amy
2012-11-28
Glad to hear that you guys are keeping your spirits sunny despite grey skies... We had our first bit of snow today, so rain may still be preferable!
xoxo