Part 6
~ bath
~
( NOTE: It was so important to me that these
pictures be reproduced clearly, that I used very little compression on
them in order to keep their inherent details - in doing so, each photo
file is larger than on previous pages and will take longer to load. )
While touring the UK, we took a break in an unforgettably beautiful place. Located 7 miles from the quiet and historic town of Bath, our retreat (and laundry stop) was this estate, The Hunstrete House, originally owned by the Watkins family and lovingly tended by all who succeeded them.
Staying here with this incredible view gave me my first real sense of being "on the moors" - the entire countryside seemed blanketed in a surreal mist; it hung in the tops of the trees and hugged the hillsides. Looking out from our bedroom window, I lost all sense of time.
There were paths to walk on, and paths to ride on. Joan and Adam went for a long bicycle ride! The estate takes care of a herd of small deer - we see them gathered at the fence out front and run outside with our cameras, but by the time we arrive, they are almost out of sight. See if you can spot them in this next photo! (lower right corner of field)
So, Gene took a picture of Richard and I, instead - the grass really looked this green, too, everywhere.
Well, it looks like Adam and Joan have returned! Their noses are red from riding in the cool, damp autumn air.
Meanwhile - Richard, Gene, and I are still looking for that herd of deer. Isn't the countryside lovely?
Our taxi arrives and the three of us head into town for a little Christmas shopping and sightseeing. Joan and Carol and Joan, Sr., are invited to Peter Gabriel's recording studio for tea. Our taxi driver tells us much about the area we are in - especially about the Roman baths downtown which are almost 2000 years old, hence the name: Bath. Regrettably, many of our photos of this remarkable place did not process. But here is a little sidestreet so like many of the shopping areas in town - lots of cobblestones to walk on, lots of hills to walk up and down, pubs, restaurants, bookstores, antique stores, parks, and historic hotels and churches.
I went into a shopping frenzy in Alexander May's Gift and Antique shop. Richard, too. By the time we finished, it was dark outside, so we all headed downtown for a bite to eat. On the way, we ran into Crook and Robin who had just eaten and were en route back to the estate. Gene and Richard and I found a cozy French restaurant and settled instead for some great food, good company, and a vintage bottle of cabernet...
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Go to Part 1 - Germany, Czech Republic
Part 2 - Prague :Havel's Palace
Part 3 - Munich, Zurich, Ghent, Reims
Part 4 - Hamburg, Paris
Part 5 - the Castle at Canisy
top of this page (Part 6)
Part 7 - London
Part 8 - Belfast
Part 9 - Dublin
Part 10 - Our tour bus and "the gang"