Satellite
Show on map
  • Day 87

    Bath and Thermae Spa

    July 17, 2023 in England ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Getting my bearings today, a reception person at the Y gave me a ticket for the hop on hop off bus (20 pounds worth) so am very delighted about that...

    It has started raining again so I came into the library to do some catching up. I thought I had booked a room to myself but lo and behold a young woman came in around 8.30 last night to take up space! Then out again she went barreling in at 11 pm. That's a hostel for you! More later when I finish my day.

    So Today I did the hop on hop off buses one went around Bath and the other went up into the hills to give a view of Bath from on high, but what a joke! The bus didn't slow down or pull over to allow photos and the amount of trees on the drive hitting us in the face meant we had to lean over to miss being struck by sticky oot branches!! What a laugh, some kids up the back of the bus gave some screams then hysterical laughter, poor things..

    The sun came out which was brilliant as it had solidly rained earlier in the day and I held my face up to the lovely sun which doesn't feel like its burning you even tho it may be!! I met a lovely woman who was escaping her sisters for the day, they live in NZ and she in Sidney town Australia. She was telling me that some places aren't accepting the old notes and even some places are demanding Euros?? I wonder what's that about?? Meanwhile my dollar is only worth 48 cents ... which is a bit of a nightmare when I come to buying anything, accept travelling.

    Here's to a good day travelling to Castle Coombe. I forgot to say something on my "leaving Frome day," so I will go back and add some info.

    I did get some lovely photos I hope and will upload them when on my way to Castle Coombe today. After my sojourn on the buses, I felt in need of a hot soak and made arrangements to go to "Thermae Bath" for a "hot" swim. The thermal waters called indeed! I went through the door only to be ushered out again by an anxious reception person. Oops I thought its because I'm early for the 6.30pm closing time?? But no, no sooner had I gone out than a line of people started pouring out of the spa.
    White dressing gowned, flip flopped footed persons/ clients appeared everywhere out on the road, clutching towels and nothing else. A fire had been started in the "Minerva" suite which is on the lower ground floor and the alarm had to be attended to. There seemed like maybe on 100 to 120 people standing outside. As time went on another woman and I began a conversation about the whole thing, no information given as to what else might be happening inside, nothing.
    Funny people we are, we don't expect anything untoward to happen, then when it does, it feels like a personal assault!! We want what we want now!! Very interesting to watch the faces of those who had been in the middle of treatments, and to listen to one guy whose treatment had just finished and were leaving but stuck with their telephones bolted inside a lockable bag which could only be opened by a maching inside the building!! He was fuming!!

    I will upload pics on my way to Castle Coombe today. So watch this space.
    Read more