Clear but Cold Bath

ROMAN BATHS


THE ROYAL CRESCENT

What a pretty day to explore the city of Bath. It has been a bit chilly but the sun has been peeking out from behind the clouds now and then to warm us up. Bath is a very picturesque city with some impressive Georgian (neoclassical) architecture and many green spaces to offset the stone buildings. We started the day off with a tour of the Roman baths, the key to Bath's fame. In the first century AD the Romans built an incredible complex with hot spring baths, a cold plunging pool, sauna rooms, temple and sacrificial altar. Historians believe the Romans and native Celts struck up a deal to share religious beliefs. The baths were jointly dedicated the the Celt goddess Sulis and the Roman goddess Minerva both of whom shared many characteristics. The Romans gave the city the name Aquae Sulis, but the baths became so famous that the name Bath eventually became synonymous with the city.

After our tour of the baths we stopped off at Sally Lunn's House, a tea/coffee shop famed for its buns. We had the cream tea and Sally Lunn buns. The buns were rather plain, looking like a giant hamburger bun and with not much more flavor. We slathered them over with clotted cream and jam but they still weren't as tasty as Yorkshire scones (imho). Then we paid a visit to the museum of costume which sported a fabulous array of clothing from the 1700s to modern times, but curiously lacking in any displays from 1890-1940. After our museum visit we strolled up to the Circus and the Royal Crescent and then explored the town while I continue to learn how to use my new camera. The Circus is a tight circle of neoclassical townhomes designed by John Wood. The buildings surround a traffic roundabout. In the middle of the roundabout several trees sit atop a grassy island. The Royal Crescent, designed by Wood's son, John Wood II, is a grand arc of townhomes that overlook Bath's largest green space, Victoria Park.

We had dinner at a wonderful little chinese noodle restaurant. I had delicious singapore noodles while Brad tucked into a spicy bowl of ramen only it was made with rice noodles instead of ramen noodles.