The Eaton Diary of London    2001  

Saturday, December 22, 2001

Margie's description of our day in Bath.

Took the train from Putney, through Reading to Bath. Beautiful uniform Heritage town, 1700's, built over Roman Baths.

Bus Tour - Jane Austen Centre - The Crescent - The Circus - The Avon River. (Avon is Celtic for river, so other towns 'on Avon' are on other rivers.) - You learn a lot on these bus tour commentaries.

Also heard of an ancient legend of Prince Bladud - He was cast out of the King's house because he had leprosy, worked as a swine herd and host his swine to discover them wallowing in the hot springs mud. They wouldn't come out so he lured them out with their favourite food - acorns. He realized they were all in fine condition, healed of all cuts and lesions after their mud bath, so he spent a few days in it himself, and his leprosy was cured. Hence, acorns are used to decorate buildings in Bath to commemorate this legend.  [For more info, click here]

Roman Baths Shop - Wedgwood, 'Jasper' cream lacy crockery. 

Horseshoe shaped water fall, 3 tiers, each a metre. Ducks and geese.

Lunch at Riverside Cafe, under the Pulteney Bridge built with shops lining both sides - only 2 in the world (the other being Ponte Vecchio or "Old Bridge", Florence.)

Abbey - Cobbled streets - Beautiful Squares - Hills around - Mendepps and Cotswolds.

Icy cold but clear bright blue sky and sunshine during the short day.

Dark blue velvet by 5pm, with perfect half moon.

 

[Follow the links below for photos.]