It was an early bath for both of us this morning as we caught the 08-50 to one of Great Britain real jewels, the city of Bath. I don't remember the last time I saw a child let loose in a sweet shop, but to watch Ille as we started down the High Street was just what you would expect. She took to the town right away, admiring both the modern shop, restaurants etc and the history stretching back well before the Romans were even thought of.
Our first stop was The Pump house, which was thought of by the Romans, which probably brought domestic bathing to the populous of Great Britain. The adjoining King's and Queen's Baths have been patronised by a succession of British monarchs, and today overborne by an endless stream of visitors from all points of the globe.
Next, Bath Abbey which i always consider pivotal for all of the cities magnificent architecture.
After the Abbey we walked around The Circus, which brought back a few memories of my antique collecting days. This was always the place I stayed when in search of a bargain piece of Imari or Satsuma porcelain.
One of many Aladdin's Caves for Ille.
The Royal Crescent is a residential road of 30 houses, laid out in a magnificent arc, which I consider the centre and highlight of the city. Designed by the architect (namesake of my childhood friend in Melton Mowbrey) John Wood the Younger and built between 1767 and 1774, it is among the greatest examples of Georgian architecture to be found in the United Kingdom and is a grade I listed building. The houses have been home to various notable people for over 200 years, and while changes have been made to the interiors, the facade remains much as it was when it was built.
At 13-00 we arrived at the 'Loch Fyne' restaurant which I have visited on a number of occasions, and know to be reliable for an excellent meal. Much of the produce is sourced from the Loch, and today we were not to be disappointed. Both deciding on the same, we started with Loch 'rope grown' Mussels, followed by Hake from the same area. These we ate with an Argentinian (Mendoza) Pinot Grig (that's how they spell it), while the Chocolate Orange Tort was adequately complimented with a lartge Jamison's Irish Whisky.While we haven't succumbed to the temptations of advertising on this Blog, I do fully recommend anyone planing a visit to give this establishment a try.
After lunch, just 100 yards down the road we came across 'King Porter Stomp' a Scar cum Blue Beat band from Brighton. If there's one thing to guarantee perfect digestion, it's a little dancing in the street, we took no second asking!
No visit to Bath would be complete without a visit to Pulteney Bridge spanning the River Avon. Completed in 1773 from a design by Robert Adam, it is one of only 4 such bridges in the world with shops on both sides of its full span. The structure was named after Frances Pulteney heiress of 1767.The forecasters had promised some rain for all areas but the weather stayed kind to us throughout with the only downpour occurring around Yeovil while we were in the sanctuary of the train. I'm told this is a day Ille will never forget. I could tell by her overall reaction and the number of postcards she bought that a note had been struck.
