Weekend trip to Bath
4th & 5th September 2004
(click on pictures to enlarge)

So after finally getting up on one of the only weekends we had off in September, Mel and I decided that we should head off to Bath and Avebury for the weekend.  Not really having any place to stay on Sat night, we decided to simply go and try and find something once we were there.  This turned out a good idea for fun, bad idea for bank balance - but hey we live only once as they say!

Avebury is similar to Stonehenge, in that is a huge collection of large rock circles.  Of course (as with Stonehenge) there are many theories, but none proven, as to why on earth somebody put these rocks in such huge circles.  Mel and I decided that is surely had something to do with witch-craft.  Picturing a witch ceremony does seem right, but then again it is probably something that spending many years watching rubbish TV has caused. Anyway here are a few of the pictures:

             

After spending an hour looking and wondering about the ruins/circles we headed off to Bath.  What amazing countryside and it was really one of those days when one does realise that the UK is really a pretty country.  The rolling hills and country lanes are definitely worth experiencing.  So into Bath we drove, rather busy and crowded, found somewhere to park and headed into the centre to look at the old Roman Baths - hence being called Bath.  Just before we went into the Baths, we decided to sort out a place to stay, and after one phone call we had booked into a really smart and well known hotel in Bath.  We were told that the hotel had a sauna/spa with use of the baths/spa.  This was of course something we needed.  To think that the last time we had swam was in December the year before!  Not having packed any costume we headed into a local store and found the sale rack where Mel managed to add to her Bikini collection for a mere 4 pounds!

Into the Roman Bath we went.  Amazingly interesting and definitely woth the visit.  I am always fascinated by the way man before us conducted his everyday life, it is even more amazing that we still have evidence after all these years.  Of course the water is no longer clean and appealing, but that is because the roof of the Baths are destroyed (over time) and the sun promotes algae to grow.  Nevertheless, spending a few hours walking around the baths, does make one feel Roman, and most definitely gets one excited about the idea of a spa/sauna in the hotel.

So after spending a great day sightseeing, we got to our hotel, up in the Royal Crescent of Bath.  Really amazing old hotel.  We checked into our room - or should I say palace, and right away we could not resist the urge to head for the spa.  We then spent the rest of the late afternoon and early evening in the spa.  Soaking in either cold tub, hot tub, sauna or heated swimming pool, which ever we fancied - really relaxing and cool fun.  We then wandered around the streets of Bath that night, found a nice restaurant, had supper and finally wandered back to our hotel.  A knock at the door the next morning woke us, Mel fell down the stairs (luckily not hurting herself), going past the door, and I opened the door to be greeted by our room service dude, carrying huge plates of awesome breakfast.  I asked where we were supposed to eat the food, and he looked at me strangely and simply placed the tray and plates on the foot of the bed.  After finishing breakfast, we slowly checked out of the room and headed back to London. 

Really awesome weekend - highly recommend Bath to anyone!