Off to Bath...

Saturday, September 21. Some clouds, some light rain 22 C.

After a great evening with Ian and Judy we had a full night's sleep. Do you think we might be over the Jet-Lag? We live in hope. We had coffee in our room and down to breakfast at 7:00, we then boarded the coach and started the three hour drive through the London traffic, through the lovely and interesting countryside to the Roman Baths, in the city of the same name, Bath. The Romans came to, [invaded] Britain in 43 AD. The baths were built within two decades after they discovered warm water springs here.

I was last here in 1960 when I hitch-hiked from Dover to Cornwall at the end of my six month European Scooter tour and the beginning of my one month hitch-hiking British tour. This time in more luxurious conditions.

Today we got a chance to meet and mingle with our fellow passengers. All we have met are Americans, middle aged or over, have money, polite and amiable enough. Today was a very long day but in a very comfortable coach with an excellent Guide and driver.

The drive to the city of Bath was interesting enough, modest traffic. The Guide was one of the most interesting we have had in all the years listening to Local Guides. The tour of the actual Baths was interesting enough but I knew the history of these baths by reading and by being here in 1960. Today, the actual number of tourists was actually rather distracting itself. I did enjoy the artifacts that they have discovered over the years and the whole building and displays are very well done and all we  needed was less visitors. [Says the Grump!]

We had lunch in the Cotswolds, a couple of hours drive from Bath, a beautiful part of England, Britain or the UK depending upon your choice. We have never been too far into that territory, the scenery is like the 'Old England', rolling hills, stone walls forming separations of fields and sheep and cattle and barley. Just like it was many, many years ago, no Motorways. Just simple English Countryside.  Unfortunately the weather was a serious light fog/haze and later a serious rain then  sunshine. [Typical English weather!]

Tonight is our last night in this lovely hotel, we pack up and our bags and they will be taken to the ship in the morning where we will see them in our cabin tomorrow after lunch. At least that is the plan, let's see how that goes.

A Long But Great Day.

Lunch spot.

The town in the Cotswolds where we spent the afternoon.

Quaint as you will ever get!

English as you can ever get! 

People have a way with flowers that makes a painting out of Mother Nature.

Who would have thought!

Lovely scenery but limited by haze and light fog. Also typically English.

Down at the water's edge.

Right at the water's edge.

2000 years old and still intact, tile and concrete. To make arches  strong but light.

Part of a an overflow drain system set up by a Roman plumber 2000 years ago and still flowing, although with recycled water, likely.

Today's waters are not heated as they were in Roman Days.