Two of the resolutions I made in China were to stop doing what I think is the sensible thing to do rather than what I really want to and to see more of the UK.
An offer from one of my bestest and dearest friends to go on a reunion jaunt to Bath and Bristol gave me the opportunity to see if I could. It would’ve been easy (and part of me felt I should) say that I should save my money and generally be sensible, and I’m truly glad I didn’t.
We had a wonderful time and it reminded me of the wonderful things, so close to you, that you can miss out upon by being too cautious.
These photos are from the Roman Baths, built as a temple to the spring goddess Sulis and as a bathing facility. Some of the commentary remarked upon how strange it was that the Romans could have such advanced engineering skills but believe that the hot water spring was the work of a magical goddess, but both the spring itself and the fact that the baths have remained so well preserved seem pretty magical to me.
This was my world this weekend, check out other people's.
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These photos brought back fond memories of when my husband and I toured them in 1977! The baths are fascinating, and are amazing feats of engineering. In London when we bought bus tickets to Bath, the polite clerk corrected my pronunciation of Bath with, "Ehm, it's Bahth."
ReplyDeleteUnbelievable that the Roman baths survived in such good shape. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteHi J, beautiful photos. I remember Bath as we passed through it many times going on our holidays when I was growing up. Never saw these lovely places though and so you have given me a lovely tour. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Regarding your question, I don't think you are being nosy at all and I am happy to answer. There were various stages that led me to becoming a US Citizen. When I first moved across the pond and to sound a bit corny, it was for love and I happily lived here for many years without any thought of changing my nationality. A few more years down the road and when my parents were still alive, the seed was sowing but I felt that if I became a citizen it might hurt them. I think they would have understood but they were very patriotic to England and I didn't want to take the chance of wounding them and feeling that they had lost me completely, if that makes any sense. In their own way they loved America too and had lots of long holidays over here, were made welcome in my husband's family and met many of our friends. We even drove across country together on one of their visits. When Gregg's ship went to sea I would either go home for an extended stay or Mom and Dad would visit us. We had great adventures and many lovely memories but now even more years had gone by. By that time they had passed on and I suddenly realized that I had lived in America a lot longer than I had in lived in England, my roots were getting deeper and a love for my new homeland had formed, especially after my son was born. This country has been very good to me and it gave me one of her sons who has given me a very happy life, not that I got any pressure from him either. Then two years ago I really wanted to become a US Citizen. I had been paying taxes all these years and badly wanted to get involved in the voting system. That decided it really. Like everyone who remembers the first half of their life, the home of my birth will always have a very special place in my heart but I love my adopted country too and it adopted me in so many ways. That's a bit long winded but believe me when I say it is the shortened version ;) I hope that answers your question.
ReplyDeleteI love the history of these places and you captured it wonderfully. One of the places I would also love to visit. :)
ReplyDeleteI find the 'Roman Britain' bits of history fascinating and missed a chance to see Bath (amazing what a blown tire can do to a car and a weekend).
ReplyDeleteNext visit, I will borrow your resolutions. :-)
I want to go to England again especially Bath. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love Bath. Reminds me of school trips.
ReplyDeleteI need the opposite of your resolution...
I've been to Wells but never Bath. Looks great. Does it smell eggy?
ReplyDeleteBath was where I did summer school...love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memories.
I'm glad you went and had some fun. Looks like a fascinating place. The Roman bath photos are particulary interesting to me. They do look a bit magical.
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