Bath

OK - I was just practising and setting the scene.

So for Craig's 30th birthday, which seemed quite a while ago back in deepest darkest January, I decided that we shouldn't have to travel too far since we were quite travelled out by this stage. So we headed west, stopping off at Stonehenge on the way - only because you have to if you are passing by.

Being a lovely cloudless (?!?) day in the middle of winter, Craig wanted to go off for a leisurely stroll around the burial mounds. Really just some hills in the middle of the paddocks - but a nice stroll anyway. A couple of hours later, we came back to the henge. We were too cheap to pay to go in, so this photo is taken over the top of the fence.


After a stop to an old-fashioned English pub for lunch, we proceeded to Bath and the hotel that we were going to stay at. The famous Royal Crescent hotel.

Ok, so this place is pretty flash - and it quite a lovely hotel dating back to the 18th century. It was rather embarassing having the valet to park the car and look for the smallest wheel hubs on the street to find our cheap rented Ford Ka.

However, the staff were all very friendly and we were made to feel at home in the lounge by the fire with the two cats (of course why wouldn't we feel right at home).


the Garden


Our quarters

This place came complete with it's own bathrobes and spa which was luxurious and smelt like frankincense.


SO naturally we weren't going to wander far away from this one. Besides, I had paid enough, so we were going to enjoy it dammit. Having found ourselves unable to go to the restaurant for dinner as it was booked out, it was decided to have room service and watch a DVD for the first time ever. The justification was that we normally go wandering all around town, get tired and grumpy and have to settle for a restaurant that may or may not be very good. So cut out the middle bit and get straight to it.

The next morning came breakfast with virtually whatever we wanted. Craig was shouted to a wahtsu massage - this involved a man massaging Craig in the hot pool and floating him all around the place. Very relaxing. I just got a pedicure and a cup of herbal tea.

So our only tourist ventures in Bath were just wandering around the gardens near our hotel and going to the Roman Baths. This was built at the time the Romans invaded England 2000 years ago.



That was really the only thing we had time for as we had to get back to London. Easier said than done, we ended up going into Wales I think (the opposite direction) and a missed turn off into London and full bladders made for a very grumpy trip home. Never mind, all was not lost. We met up with various friends at a local Ethipian restaurant for dinner. I think we were the only patrons there, everyone else was working there between sitting around and smoking. But it was fabulous food and good value for money at £12 a head including drinks.