Baths in Bath

Hi Everyone!

Like any good regency novel, a trip to the countryside simply couldn’t be complete with a stop in Bath. As you can see, mom and mumma Bailey are getting on very well!

Our first top was to the Roman Baths. This hot spring was believed to be a gift from the Goddess Minerva. So they built a temple for her. Additionally, the waters were thought to have healing powers. People of all sexes and social statuses came to the bath in a rather egalitarian fashion actually, to benefit from the healing powers of the mineral water. Bold move for them because this water is SMELLY.

We made a wish in one of the ponds, with me being the only one to actually make it into the center! I had to tell you because we all know how I lack all sense of hand eye coordination.

Also, I could not get over how smart they were to create heated floors in the roman times. They created these little columns and then laid cement and then tiles across the top. Then they would light a fire on the bottom layer, and the heat would move throughout the floor between the columns and rise to heat the flooring laid above it.

At the end you can actually try some of the magical spring water….I think my face says it all.

We followed up the roman baths with a walk around the Bath Abbey. Here are a few snapshots. Just let me know when you're tired of looking at Jesus ;), otherwise be prepared for lots of church pictures on this road trip, they're everywhere lol!

Afterwards we went to the Pulteney bridge.

Then we went to the residential homes of Bath. Look familiar? That’s because this location was featured both in Downtown Abbey and The Duchess.

Also, Jes and I accidentally took a picture that mirrored mom and mumma Bailey. I think we’ve been spending a lot of time with each other or something 😉

We found this cute and quirky bookshop that served free tea and coffee! Talk about quality service. Mumma Bailey read us The Last Hedgehog and Jes read us All My Friends Are Dead. The quirk, dry humor had us belly laughing and this bookshop did not have peace until we left.

Then mom really wanted to go to the Jane Austen museum. That actually was a total bust, since Jane only stayed in that house in Bath for two months. However, Jes and I had a lot of fun messing around with the props (which we were allowed to touch) and writing each other letters with calligraphy pens. 

Mumma Bailey didn’t feel like walking around the museum but looks like she had just as fun on the outside too!

We did a lot of walking, so we rested before dinner. The two mom were totally being silly and watching the people below. They were like our very own neighborhood watch program hehe. Or just nosey mums. (let’s go with the latter – oh and my ears will probably be boxed when they read this but TOTALLY worth it, you’re welcome family).

Jes had her heart set on this gelato shop, so we were all very excited when we found out that it was still open after dinner! The only think is, the seagulls would try to steal food from us. So we had to protect our precious ice cream from those treat thieves. Here is Jes’ protective stance.

If you think that I’m eating my way through England, I totally am and I’m enjoying every bite! Don’t mind me when I come back to the US fat and happy 😊, plus I know you all love me unconditionally (tbd August first 😉). Got to go now, about to take a luxurious bath in Bath – and yes I’m totally doing it just so that I can say that hehehe. 

Love you guys,

Carolyn

Bollocks to Brexit

Hi guys,

After a good sleep and checking up on my ponies this morning the four of us went on a quick walk to Haresfield Beacon Field to find the topography map and get a good look at Wales.

Then we went into Stroud, which was celebrating its 20^th anniversary for their farmers market. 

Jes went up to some protesters and asked if we could get two stickers that said “Bollocks to Brexit” and we proudly marched around with our stickers on all day. Well, we marched with our stickers on until this grumpy old man and woman walked up to me going “Have you no shame!” and the woman went “Truly shameless walking around like that!” and continued on in my face saying “What were you thinking going out with words like that about Brexit?!” Guys, you know me, I’m always one for a quick retort and not one to ever bite my tongue. And yet here I was totally thrown for a loop and speechless. I was so shocked, and then I couldn’t really figure out what they were so riled up about until I heard the word Brexit. By this time my mom and Jes had realized what had happened, and Jes came up and physically removed me from the situation, while the grumpy old couple carried on with their day.

We all know that after the shock passes in a situation you didn't react to, well, you’re pissed and wishing you had given you're two cents in with lots of colorful words. Well, let’s just say that sticker was proudly and loudly worn for the rest of the day lol. I was just daring for someone to say something because if it happened again I was so ready with an arsenal of perfect retorts (which of course never got used that day…murphy’s law). Our mums were very supportive of our freedom of speech rights though!

Hilariously while I sat there stewing in anger, we had this group of hippies following us around singing and drumming for world peace. I think the universe was trying to send me a message. These hippies were a one song wonder, and let me tell you boy did that tune get caught in our heads. I could not get rid of it for the life of me, the four of us were humming it all day. They seemed to be following us throughout the town and even marched past our window when we went to a café for lunch. Have I raved about the food here enough? Because again, this meal was so fresh and yummy, everyone got quiches while I got a spiced chutney and cheddar toastie.

We then went a bit further away to Cirencester. Here we explored the local town shops and I found this absolutely perfect sign…alas did not have enough room for it in my backpack, but I’m sure you all will appreciate this picture.

Also, my nephew Ayaan is literally my favorite two year old on the planet. When he was a baby I saw him every week, and even when I went to law school, we facetimed often or met up at the aquarium or kids museum when I had a break. Well, his mom sent me a message saying that he has a toy phone and often “calls” or “tests” me (x’s are hard). He also tells people “Aisha is working in London with Peppa pig.” I laughed so hard when I read that message from his mother and then we happened upon this Peppa pig book in town. I simply had to take a picture and send it to him saying “Aisha misses you in London with Peppa pig.” Now this child totally believes I am working with Peppa pig. Also, mom says that they should make a Peppa pig goes to law school book so that Ayaan can actually understand what I do, but I think that I can just be the cool aunt that works with Peppa pig for forever…I feel like I’ll get major bonus points with the preschoolers.

We visited the abbey in Cirencester which had Ann Boleyn's cup. It was not very special or ornate so I didn’t take a picture of it, but can say that I’ve seen it! However the abbey itself was very pretty.

This podium was from the 1200s, which is crazy because I honestly don't think anything we've made today will last remotely that long. 

Jes is always good at planning and made sure we snagged donuts from the farmers market earlier in the day. So after walking around the cathedral we took a break in the park to eat our sweet treats! Here’s our park view (the donuts were inhaled on my part well before I even thought to take a picture).

On our way out of the town we found tallest yew hedge in the UK! Isn't this absolutely mad. 

With very full bellies, we made our way home to my ponies. I’m going to be so sad to leave, but also so excited for the adventures to come!

Lots of love,

Carolyn