My days in Bath have drawn to a close. I can't believe how quickly 3 weeks have flown by. I felt like I would have so much time here to do everything I wanted but as I prepare to leave I realize there are still so many things I want to do. This town is all that I knew it was and so much more. It has years and years of history but also feels like it is so in touch with the modern art and culture scene. I suppose that it has always been the place to be since its beginning and continues along that path. During my final week I did the day trips I already wrote about and also just had some time to play in the town and with the kiddos.
I think the most fun event I have done since my arrival was the Bath International Music Festival. This is a week long festival that the whole city gets involved in to bring tons of diverse and amazing music to its
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| Monsters on Parade |
towns-people and visitors. The whole event started with a night called Party in the City which was basically hundreds of performers spread out in all sorts of venues through out the city performing all night for free. When I read about it I could hardly believe my luck that I would be in town for this cool event. The beautiful part about this event too is that Bath is so small you really could walk from venue to venue easily in between acts and see tons of different stuff. The opening of the evening was super cute. Since the theme had to do with monsters there was a big parade through town ending at the abby to open the night. There were hundreds of kids complete with paper machete monsters on sticks walking through town making monster noises. It was absolutely adorable. After watching the parade I made my way to the bar I was going to settle myself into for the night. I had scoped out all the line ups and found a spot where I wanted to hear all the performers so instead of trekking all over town I planned to get a pint, cozy into a big leather chair at Hall and Woodhouse and enjoy some great music. First off this bar is amazing. It is a good size place but feels
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| Fireworks over Bath |
so cozy too. It has done the rustic vintage look that is in right now so well with out looking like they are trying too hard. There also is just something so comfortable about a place that has a huge fire place in it. The musicians didn't disappoint either. They were all so fantastic. It was all kinda folk/americana with a bit of pop mixed in. I'm gonna give you guys all the band/musicians names and you better check them out. Some were local but all were great. I did have my favorites but I will try not to be biased and let you guys decide for your self...here they are:
Jamie Beale..just him and his guitar singing about outlaws and prisons.
Hayley Collins...just
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| Moonlit walk home |
her haunting voice and her piano.
Woodfield...adorable group of 20 somethings who were locals. Violins were involved and sounded great.
BIM...a duo who sang beautifully together and also do some electronic stuff (my favorite...sorry I couldn't help it...please check them out!) Last group of the night was Cook & the Case....full band, great sound. Please, Please, Please check them all out. You wont be disappointed. Through out the night I enjoyed the music and met some fun people who I wandered around to a couple of the other venues with. I then watched the end of the night fireworks and headed home guided
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| Taking in the view |
by the full moon overhead. Yes kids...I walked home alone in the dark and I wasn't even scared. Healing is a slow process but eventually we get there. I'm happy to say it's getting there. The walk was absolutely beautiful and a bit haunting but in an amazing way. The old churches with their ancient cemeteries and towers look spectacular by moonlight. You can almost hear them whispering their tales of the past to you as you walk by.
I also went on a great daylight walk with my favorite kiddos in Bath. I babysat them one afternoon and they decided they wanted to walk to the big house on top of the hill. I said ok but was not 100% sold we were going to make it. The last walk we went on they barely made it to the pond just inside the park and told me "My battery has gone flat....can we go home?" They were quite enthusiastic about it though so I figured we would give it a go. We set off with high hopes and a beautiful sunny sky above us. There are lots of benches along the way so we took our time and enjoyed the views. They were so cute getting more and more excited at each bench that brought the goal closer and closer. When we finally made it they were so excited. They were also so
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| Nathans photography...Me and Talia at the "big house" |
proud that they had done it on their own. They had the cutest moment while we were walking there. Nathan had brought this Snow White princess necklace with him and when Talia had a moment where she felt that she was loosing energy Nathan looked at here and said "Here...you wear this necklace and it will give you energy." She popped it on and immediately had a spring in her step. The whole rest of the walk they kept passing it back and forth to whoever needed some energy. It worked and we made it. The views on the top are so beautiful and the day was gorgeous. We really enjoyed our time. There also was one other part
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| New view of Bath |
that the kiddos loved and it was being super close to the cows that freely graze on the grounds. Then being spring and all there also were a few calfs just hopping around the field. All in all it was a lovely hike and fun day with the kids.
I did do one final touristy day in Bath. On this touristy day I was also joined by a new friend who is from San Diego but has recently taken a position in London. We started the day by going on my favorite walking tour. This time we had a great tour guide who took a different route that I have never taken before. We saw many different views of the city that were new to me and new to him also
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| Roman Baths |
since it was his first time in Bath. We had lunch at this great little spot called the Pig and Fiddle where we were able to sit outside and enjoy some sunshine, a pint and some burgers. Side note I just love the names of all these places here...so fun. I really need to get a book about all the names of pubs and restaurants. I know there is history behind most of them. There I go...nerding out again. Alright back to the day.... after lunch we headed into the Roman Baths. I didn't go last time because I felt like it was probably over rated. Well I was wrong....It was pretty impressive once you get in there and think about how long it has been around. It is huge too. The major part of the baths is underground....I had no idea! When you walk around these ancient structures you don't feel like you are in England at all. You feel like you are in Rome. The baths that are full are still really warm too. You wouldn't want to take a dip in them because they are quite yucky and green. We did dip our fingers in just to check it out...they haven't fallen off yet so I think I am good. If the waters had not been so green we would have been tempted to have a soak. You can go into modern versions of these which I might have to do on my next trip. After our walk through we mustered up all our courage to drink our complimentary cup of this natural mineral water (not from the baths but from a clean source) which is said to have healing powers. All the high society folk of the past swore by it. Well, I took my cup and no magic results yet....Ill keep you posted.
With my natural mineral water sampled, my suitcase packed (only took 3 tries to get the tetras pattern correct inside) and my travel booked I boarded a 4:00am bus for a 7am flight and headed to Nice, France to see my lovely friends there. I know most of you probably can't believe I am going back after the rough mugging I went through there last year but if you met my friends here you would understand. They are fantastic! I am so looking forward to spending time with them and just relaxing. So goodbye Bath for now...thanks for the lovely time!
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