Eagles, Vicars & Swans

 SONG - Fly Like an Eagle by Steve Miller Band

Day 6 - Sunday May 5

Above is Mr. B hamming it up for me in the Bishop’s Gardens in Wells

On Sunday morning it was sputtering rain and crowds in Bath. We had breakfast at The Abbey Deli which was only a block from our hotel and it was where the Modeste clothing shop in Bridgerton (hi Jess) was filmed! 

So we decided to head to Wells and see rain & crowds there!!! We passed beautiful English countryside- green hills, mustard fields, sheep with baby lambs, stone walls & churches, so very relaxing until we hit the narrow single track with hedgerows.  Once parked in Wells under a heavy mist we decided to go to the Cathedral first to give the weather a chance to improve. 

Wells Cathedral

We marveled at the famous scissor arches c1340…..

And the c1390 astronomical clock with the jousting knights that run around every 15 minutes. Not to be missed!

To the right of the clock, and up high on the wall, is a figure that strikes a bell at every quarter which sets off the jousters…..

Wells Starway to Heaven heavily worn by use….

A gargoyle or grotesque sticking out his tongue and according to the Gloucestershire government app…

“ Tongue-poker - Many gargoyles are poking their tongues out and blowing a raspberry. This wasn't rude like today because in medieval times this gesture was used against traitors, heretics and blasphemers”

An ancient door in the undercroft……

A chapel ceiling…….

A miséricorde (divine mercy) which allowed the priest or bishop to rest a bit while still standing - basically a quarter seat…..

We then headed to the Bishop’s Gardens to see the Palace ruins and the famous “Ringing Swans”! I have waited years to see them as I had read about them 8 years ago when we were planning our 2017 trip to the UK. And when we got here I was sad to find out that one had died and the caretaker had moved to the US.  But today they had two healthy swans (Grace & Gabriel) who had just had six cygnets just 3 weeks ago. 

As soon as the guide saw me eyeing the swan in the moat and the bell by the window, he suggested that I wait and he would try to see if he could get the male swan to ring the bell. 

The guide went into the gatehouse and opened the window and wiggled the rope to get the swans attention.  As soon as Gabriel spotted the wiggling rope he swam nearby but waited a bit to pull the rope. Finally he did several times and the guide tossed some food into the water. 

I was ecstatic….Of course 300 pigeons arrived as soon as they heard the bell ringing. They weren’t going to miss out on a free meal!  The second guide told me that he thought mama swan & her babies were just around the corner of the moat after I told him my tale from 7 years ago. So Mr. B and I walked around the croquet lawns and into the gardens.  We also discovered the it was English Civil War Weekend. Mr. B just can’t seem to catch a break from re-enactment entertainment. 

We walked around the “camp” and into the beautifully manicured gardens around the palace & ruins.  So soothing and fascinating to see what plants grow in this environment.  Near a bridge that crossed part of the moat, we found mama swan, Grace and her babies. She looked so protective and proud. 

“Follow Me”

We finished our garden tour and headed to the car park to drive over to our final destination for the day - the Vicars Close. Mr B found a perfect parking spot just behind the cathedral and in front of the Close. 

It is known as “Oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all surviving intact in Europe” completed in 1430.  It has a chapel at one end and a hall at the other with a walkway over the street to the Cathedral. 

When we returned to Bath, we decided to have an early Sunday roast dinner at The Elder. Yum!

It was proper…..

Hop On

SONG -  Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel 

Day 5 - Sat. May 4

Mr. B had read about the Antique & Flea Market that happens every Saturday in Bath so Saturday morning we decided to go check it out.  We had gotten up a little on the late side so we headed over to the market and found a shop just across the street to have a light lunch.

It’s been a while since I’ve had a good poke around a flea market and it was delightful!  I found several small two-pronged silver forks that would be perfect for a charcuterie board and I got them for a song.

We then walked back towards the Abbey square but spotted a bright red HoHo bus parked right in front of us and we decided to hop on since my knee was barking at me. It was a perfect sunny afternoon to sit up top and enjoy the tour.  We were taken past all of the tourist stops in Bath - the Circus, Pulteney Bridge, Jane Austen’s home, the Assembly Rooms, etc., but I found other things that caught my eye  

There were narrow boats and flowers, advertising signs & chimney pots, people watching & quaint bridges with toll booths to be enjoyed  

Dinner that night was at a Mediterranean restaurant, Portofino Oyster Bar in old town which Mr. B thoroughly enjoyed - Sea Bass & Muscles!

Hope to catch you tomorrow!

It’s About Time

 SONG - Time is on My Side by The Rolling Stones

Day 4 - Fri. May 3

After 13 hours - yes 13 much needed hours of sleep - we are ready to explore Bath!  Mr. B found a tiny restaurant nearby that served breakfast, The Courtyard Cafe. The owners were both French of course.  I had scones with clotted cream & jam while Mr. B ordered pancakes.  

First we headed to the Bath Abbey where there has been a place of Christian worship on this site for well over one thousand years.  Three different churches have occupied the site of today’s abbey since 757 AD. First an Anglo-Saxon monastery which was replaced by a Norman Cathedral to the present day abbey, which was the last great Medieval church built in the country.

From the abbey we headed to the Victoria Gallery to see an exhibit that I had read about at home - Toulouse-Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre.

Mr. B and I saw quite a few of Lautrec’s pieces in his hometown of Albi, France many years ago but it was wonderful to see some in a more intimate setting.

A visit to the Pulteney Bridge and the River Avon and we were off to Sally Lynn’s for lunch - yum!

Headed home for a rest and then out to dinner. Mr. B got us 8 pm reservations at The Elder which is our hotel’s restaurant.  All I can say is Yum - again!

Smoke On The Water

SONG - Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple

Day 3 - Thursday May 2 

We awoke to hotel fire alarm testing at 8 am that continued for hours, we had thunder and lightening throughout the night which woke us up and we were both totally exhausted due to jet lag. But we have arrived and we are so happy to be here!

The hotel that I picked out months ago at home turned out to be perfect for us - it is Hotel Indigo. Its location is excellent, it has a great bar & restaurant- The Elder and friendly staff. 

At breakfast we sat next to four (80 plus year old) ladies who were traveling together and it was fun to listen to their discussion. Husbands that don’t pick up after themselves, kids who rarely visit, how high the price of food has gotten (it’s so bad that one of them doesn’t even look at the prices anymore) and how important it is to have proper high eyebrows to make one look younger. And why does god take hairs from your eyebrows only then to grow them on your chin!

Afterwards we went shopping for a few items for our mini-fridge and the correct international plugs - apparently my French plugs don’t work in the UK….oops!   We spent the rest of the day relaxing and strolling around Bath. 

We dined nearby at the Huntsman and even stayed up late enough for Mr. B to join in Quiz Night with the locals which was hosted by Grace from Bristol. 

By 8:30 they weren’t even close to being done with the quiz but we were toast so off to our hotel to get some sleep!

See you tomorrow!

Leaving On a Jet Plane

SONG - Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver & Cass Elliot

Days 1 & 2 - Tuesday April 30 & Wednesday May1

So today I got on a plane with Mr. B and we are heading to London, picking up a car and driving to Bath for 5 nights. But first 10 hours of flying - yikes!  And when we get to Bath it will be Wednesday and raining all week!

 Not sure why I was surprised as Great Britain is known for its damp weather.  I guess we will get a quick induction to England. 

Neither of us slept much on the plane and as soon as we landed we grabbed our luggage, got on a shuttle to the car rental, became familiar with setting up the cars mapping system, jumped on the M4 and headed to our hotel in Bath.  

When asked by the receptionist as to what time she should reserve our breakfast for the next day, I said 9:30? And Mr. B said 10. The receptionist said “Ah, going to have a proper lie down then?” Love both the English accent and phrases!

Once outside, instead of rain we found musicians playing music in the sunshine on the Abbey square with tourists and locals enjoying themselves.

Our itinerary is Bath, Cotswolds, Lake District, Glasgow (where I had relatives), Stirling (where Mr. B had relatives), Edinburgh (where we both had relatives), down to York and finish it off with some time in London.

Hope you will come along with me on this journey  

“Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?”

Jane Austen

Sugared Mountains

 Song - Blackbird  by The Beatles

Yesterday Mr. B and I headed over to Yosemite and it was a lovely day and it was a Christmas gift from Mr. B. We could see a little, light dusting of snow on the higher mountains but it was a great temperature in the valley. Above is the view of Half Dome from our room. 

 

 

We took a walk while the weather was nice and we walked over Swinging Bridge to admire the Upper & Lower Falls. There was a tree full of Blackbirds happily singing. 

Can’t you just hear them now?

 

We had dinner in the bar and read for the rest of the evening - no cell service which turned out to be lovely. 

It rained all night and when we woke up on Thursday morning it was raining as well. After a while I didn’t hear the pitter-patter of rain outside so I glance out the window and it was snowing! 

 

What a lovely, peaceful, quiet time.....

Same view out of our window but Half Dome is shrouded in clouds.