02 July 2010

Bath. In a nutshell. Because I'm running out of time at the internet cafe.

I'm sitting here in an internet cafe listening to some sort of down-tempo jazz and having a very difficult time focusing on the task at hand. The meter has run up to £6.50. Ah,  yes. It's a day for self-indulgence.
As we settled into our room yesterday afternoon and tried to decide what to do during our time in Bath, it became apparent that each of us thought we were coming here because the other wanted to. In our many conversations over Skype about this trip, how did we somehow miss that?!

 I spent 3 weeks in Bath during a study abroad quarter in college, so I was feeling pretty excited to come back and show Stace some of my favorite places.

Things I was most excited to revisit:
  • the busker with the rainbow guitar strap
  • the Cadbury ice cream shop (with a fresh chocoloate drizzle on every cone)
  • the coffeeshop just around the corner from the Abbey, with the internet cafe upstairs
Things that are nowhere to be found:
  • the busker with the rainbow guitar strap (He's been replaced and the new guys are definitely not nearly as entertaining.)
  • the Cadbury ice cream shop (with a fresh chocolate drizzle on every cone) (It's CLOSED! Sadness!)
  • the coffeeshop just around the corner from the Abbey, with the internet cafe upstairs (Now a Starbucks. Grrrr. I'm a little upset with them at the moment. I'm sure it'll pass.)
And yet, we've managed to have a pretty fun time of it. Yesterday we wandered about (looking for the ice cream shop) and ended up having pizza at an Italian restaurant and taking a trip down memory lane. The pizza was perfect. Perfecto! Mmmm...

This morning we strolled (really -- we strolled -- there was no actual walking) down the canal toward the little town of Bathampton and enjoyed the sun and the canal boats and the chance to stretch our legs after all the traveling yesterday. Then to the Roman Baths for a brief tour -- escaping to the Pump Room for afternoon tea just as the crowds descended on the museum below. Though the food was nothing spectacular, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the live music -- a worthwhile splurge.

Now it's off to find some dinner and then early to bed so we can catch our 7:30am train to Wales. Cheerio, England!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I remember Jim and Kerri telling me that they chose their wedding china that way. Both thought the other liked the pattern, and they ended up with a pattern neither liked! Fortunately, it sounds like you're having a good time anyway :)

Sorry about the busker -- I know you were really looking forward to him!

Unknown said...

Is that bubble bath in the fountain?

Tony and Julie said...

I just found your blog via FB - I somehow didn't realize your extravaganza had already begun! Loved reading through your posts and will look forward to following along until you arrive here! I was delighted and suddenly hungry when I read that you had cream tea down south...yummmm. That is one of the best culinary creations Britain has to offer, hands down. Happy travels!

Sarah said...

Oh Jen, you make me laugh, and I miss you.

Jen said...

@antof9 -- Thanks for the sympathy. It has been 8 years since I was in Bath, I suppose it's a good thing the busker moved on. :)

@Pat -- I think so! Or laundry detergent. Some type of suds. My guess is that it was a senior prank.

@Julie -- Glad you found it! I meant to sent out an email and ran out of time before leaving. It'll be great to see you at the end of this!

@Sarah -- It will be a sad day when I don't make you laugh anymore. I don't even want to think about it! I miss you, too!

Alice Robbins said...

Everyone is going out of business in England and America! ;) So sorry that you did not get your "stuff". I loved Nottingham this spring even though we were not able to really do much because of our conference. We were in a little village just outside of Robin's "home" in the forest where he and his merry men "lived"! I did get an Apple store there though and there was a Tesco, so got some powered cheese to make 4 meals with mac and cheese, but it is not the same as ours!!! Not at all!