After Stonehenge, D, M and I arrived in Bath after a journey through picturesque small towns. It actually reminded me a little bit about when I was with G and J in California driving from San Francisco to Sonoma. Very hilly and lush. We arrived to our hotel, nothing to write home about but a decent, clean place to stay for the night. I will save you the history lesson on Bath, but the city is around the Avon and a majority of the buildings are constructed of limestone. The architecture is amazing - the color of limestone resembles the color of butter to a pale grey or ivory. Against the green hills, trees and landscape, it gives off this old world feel.We just walked around town and visited the Roman Baths. You can take the route of the official tour with a guide but we opted to walk around on our own. You obviously can't partake in the baths on premises but there is a spa around the corner that is somewhat molded on the original baths. We tried to figure out what people from Bath are called, in our slaphappy state, we stuck to "Bathtubs' although we learned from the woman in the German shop they are called "Bathites". I prefer Bathtubs.
Around town, there is an exhibit called "King Bladud's Pigs". Those of you in Chicago may recall the cows that were smattered around town a few years ago - it's sort of a similar concept. Different artists painted pigs and you'd find them in museums, on the street, in restaurants, etc. The legend is that Bath was founded back in 860 BC, when Prince Bladud, the father of King Lear, was abroad and caught leprosy. He was fearful of going back to court and not able to become king, so he went west and became a sort of pig farmer. The pigs also caught leprosy and began wallowing around in this hot mud and became cured. Bladud did the same, was cured of leprosy and later returned to court and became king. It was in this area where he founded the town of Bath. I personally think the pigs are a lot cuter than the cows. Here is the website if you'd like to learn more about them or see pictures. My favorite was the "Pig in Prada" which to me, looked like a hooker/S&M pig, apparently, I am a sick person to have such thoughts over a wholesome project. http://www.kingbladudspigs.org/pigs/index.php
Around town, there is an exhibit called "King Bladud's Pigs". Those of you in Chicago may recall the cows that were smattered around town a few years ago - it's sort of a similar concept. Different artists painted pigs and you'd find them in museums, on the street, in restaurants, etc. The legend is that Bath was founded back in 860 BC, when Prince Bladud, the father of King Lear, was abroad and caught leprosy. He was fearful of going back to court and not able to become king, so he went west and became a sort of pig farmer. The pigs also caught leprosy and began wallowing around in this hot mud and became cured. Bladud did the same, was cured of leprosy and later returned to court and became king. It was in this area where he founded the town of Bath. I personally think the pigs are a lot cuter than the cows. Here is the website if you'd like to learn more about them or see pictures. My favorite was the "Pig in Prada" which to me, looked like a hooker/S&M pig, apparently, I am a sick person to have such thoughts over a wholesome project. http://www.kingbladudspigs.org/pigs/index.php
We also visited the Fashion Museum - it reminded me a little bit of the V&A and their fashion section. Their exhibit was on the designer for many of the films Marilyn Monroe was in - Travilla. While some of the dresses weren't the exact dresses worn by Marilyn Monroe (some were second versions, etc.), we saw the ones that were in her films - the pink dress from Gentleman Prefer Blondes, the gold dress she wore in one of her famous pictorials and the white dress from Some Like It Hot. Other than that, we didn't do a whole lot other than wander and explore the town. They have a lot of cute shops, most of it overpriced of course, since their biggest $$maker is via tourism. However, we did go into this shop called Hansel and Gretal, which is a Bavarian shop - they have items from Germany, Austria, etc. We all ended up buying something - the shop owner mixes her own essential oils and I could almost pretend to be Maria in The Sound of Music spinning around the hillside. I also purchased some almond honey which is absolutely delicious. Speaking of The Sound of Music, in London there is a sing-a-long show not far from my flat, and I am seriously tempted to go.
Before heading home, we stopped off at Lucknam Park for afternoon tea. Lucknam Park is an estate home that is now a hotel with about 40 rooms. There are multiple gardens, croquet, equestrian riding, etc. It was very much like walking into a Jane Austen book. M knew one of the sous chefs so we were able to tour some of the suites and walk amongst the gardens and learn more about the history of the place. This was truly a highlight for us on the trip.
Before heading home, we stopped off at Lucknam Park for afternoon tea. Lucknam Park is an estate home that is now a hotel with about 40 rooms. There are multiple gardens, croquet, equestrian riding, etc. It was very much like walking into a Jane Austen book. M knew one of the sous chefs so we were able to tour some of the suites and walk amongst the gardens and learn more about the history of the place. This was truly a highlight for us on the trip.And I have to admit, ever sense seeing Stonehenge, I just cannot get Spinal Tap out of my head.
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