Today’s post is 1200 words, 24 photos, a 6 minute read. Enjoy!
Hi everyone,
This is the beginning of a new series about our time in the Cotswolds, a scenic area about 100 miles north and west of London. It’s known for its quaint villages, rolling hills, and lovely scenery. Our purpose was to do a seven day, 50 mile walk through the countryside. Before we began the walk, we spent a few days in Bath, England to adjust to the time change and learn about this interesting UNESCO World Heritage Site. I invite to enjoy the sites, sounds, landscape, and people in this part of the world.
A big thanks for the views and comments on my series of posts from Mexico. If you missed some of my most recent blogs click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
The Trail to Bath
It was late in the afternoon when our neighbor dropped us off at the Madison airport. The day was coolish and clear. We were bound for Atlanta and an overnight connecting flight to London Heathrow.
We were dog tired when we landed at Heathrow, we slept a little on the ride. I watched the Bob Dylan movie and read until my head bobbed up and down like a bobblehead. Next time, I’ll bring a neck pillow. Upon arrival, after quickly clearing immigration and customs we made our way to the Heathrow Bus Station. It was fairly easy to find but a long walk from our gate. I’d booked a couple of tickets on the direct National Express bus to Bath, a trip of about two hours. A lot of comings and goings at the bus station. We had to be attentive to make sure we caught the right bus at the right time.
The bus ride was unremarkable. It was still light when we arrived at Bath. I knew the hotel was not very far but unsure of my directions. So we grabbed a taxi for the five minute ride to the Hampton Inn, our lodging for the next three nights. As we were settling in, I snapped this photo from our room.
We were tired but also hungry. The check-in clerk at the hotel gave us a map and pointed us to an area about two or three blocks away with a number of restaurants. We chose one with an Italian menu, most of the staff were Italian too. We shared bruschetta and wood-fired pizza, it was very good. Then back to the hotel to catch up on our sleep.
Bath was founded by the Romans in the first century AD to take advantage of the natural hot springs. It was charted by the British Crown in 1189. The Bath Abbey, easily the most prominent building in the city, was established in the 7th century and rebuilt a number of times over the years. In the 1700s, Bath became known as a spa town. Several buildings in the Georgian style, the Royal Crescent, Circus, Pump Room, and Assembly Rooms were built during this time. They are still standing and in use. For three days in April 1942, the Germans dropped bombs on Bath damaging and destroying many buildings. Over 400 people were killed and more than 1000 injured. Damaged historical buildings were restored and other buildings demolished. Currently, about 100,000 people live in Bath. In 1987, the Bath was selected as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city attracts over 6 million visitors a year. On the Saturday during our stay, it seemed that a large percentage were in the city.
The next morning after breakfast the hotel, we ventured out to explore the city of Bath. The morning was cool and overcast. We wandered past the shops and restaurants to the Parade Garden along the River Avon. Apparently, there once was a fee to enter the garden, no more. We had a nice walk around the two and a half acre garden. The spring flowers were in bloom as were the flowering trees.
This gardener was busy planting flowers in one of the many beds.
There are a couple interesting statues in the garden. The sculpture in the photo below is known as the Angel of Peace or the Memorial to King Edward VII. King Edward was known as a peacemaker and was very popular with his subjects. He worked to maintain stability in an ever increasing unstable world. He died in 1910. Four years later. war broke out in Europe.
For over 30 years during the month of November, the city of Bath has hosted a Mozartfest. A scaled down version of the Mozart statue in Salzburg was added to the park by the benefactor of the Mozartfest in honor of her son who loved the music of Mozart. Note the three doves, two squirrels, and one mouse at his feet enjoying the music.
As we walked along the colonnade above the garden, we had a good view of the river and the weir (a type of dam) that controls the flow of water. The bridge in the background is the Pulteney Bridge, one of four bridges in the world that have shops on both sides of the span of the bridge. Two of those bridges are quite famous, the Rialto in Venice and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The Pulteney is one of most photographed examples of Georgian architecture in the city of Bath.
There were several narrowboats that appeared to be occupied. Some of them haven’t moved in a long while.
There were a couple of swans swimming near the edge of the river. I was quick enough to snap a photo before it swam away.
This gull was one of several perched on the colonnade. They were not afraid of passersby, they hardly moved. I tried a stare down, the gull won but I got the photo.
We walked past the Bath Abbey on our way to find some lunch. The Abbey was included in the Bath walking tour I signed up for in the afternoon, so we didn’t doddle. Although I did take one photo while admiring the size and scale of the church.
Around the Abbey were a number of performers busking for money. Some of them were pretty good.
Some of main shopping streets were closed to traffic. Good thing, the sidewalks are narrow. It would be quite crowded with everyone on the sidewalks.
We crossed over and walked on the other side of the river. There were nice gardens and parks and a good view of the majesty of the Bath Abbey.
The Guildhall is the municipal building in Bath. The name comes from the 1300s when it was the meeting place of the trade guilds. The current building was constructed in the late 1700s. The Guildhall Market adjoins the municipal building. Trade has been conducted on this site for at least 800 years. The current market was built in the 1600s and has twenty stalls. 
We purused the market. I found the stall that sold flags and other items interesting. One flag reminded customers that Victory Europe (VE Day) was coming soon. During our time in England, we saw posters in pubs and on community bulletin boards about events being held on May 8 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. Victory over Japan wouldn’t come for a few more months.
Join me next week for a walking tour of Bath with our energetic guide Jess.
Until then, happy travels!
Tom
PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM