From Brighton to Bath

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It’s my birthday - Left Brighton at about 10.30am a bit later than would have liked but by the time we had brekky did all the internet and skype business, tried again to get money out of bank with the travelcard with no luck and got car out of very expensive car park it all took time.
On the way to Portsmouth we went the scenic beach route, which really wasn’t all that scenic as it was very industrial and went to the Arundel Castle and found it was was closed on Monday’s. ( I did know that but I thought we could still have a look at the outside of it as it was on our way). Arundel is a Quaint little town and has a wetlands bird attraction. Plenty of old folk with ski poles and binoculars. We arrived at Portsmouth at about 12.30pm and found a free car park for 2 hours near the Historical Docks. Greg wanted to see the Victory but unfortunately you couldn’t just pay to see that. You had to see the whole area which was 19 pound each. Gave you entrance to the Victory about 5 museums, the Mary Rose museum ( the boat won’t be available for viewing for 12 months) , Action stations (simulators and physical challenges), a 45 min harbour cruise and tour of the HMS Warrior- with a two hour limit and the fact that we wanting to get to Stonehenge and Bath by 6pm. we stuck to that time instead of moving the car and going back. We missed out on cruise and tour of the Warrior and I think 2 museums. We then headed off to Stonehenge decided not to pay the entrance fee of 6 pounds as could see just as well outside fence. (if my heritage pass arrived in mail on time then it would have been covered). Spent about 10 mins looking and taking photos.
Arrived in Bath at about 5.15pm after negotiating the one way streets and roads that went off in all directions we pulled over to ask directions for our hotel as the GPS was telling us to go up no through roads (apparently a new shopping area has gone in and it has changed a lot of the roads to one way which the GPS obviously doesn’t know. I am starting to get a bit a panicky now because we were going for a twilight thermal spa that started at 6pm. Found hotel, grabbed bathers and drove back into town driving around looking for carpark- luckily after 6pm only 1.50pound. Found Spa and got handed our free robes and slippers and dinner wrist band. There are two baths one of which is on the roof top (thank god it was 29 degrees that day) and 4 steam rooms with different aromas. We had 3 ½ hours to enjoy the relaxation and it included dinner in their restaurant (robes and slippers was their dress code) after an hour of bathing in about 35 degree water we went for dinner, I had pork and glass of wine and Greg had Pheasant. We then went to steam rooms and I had had enough by about 8.30pm, we still had an hour but I was soaked and steamed out and tired. Nice way to spend birthday.
Finally found a bank that we could get money from, we had run out of what we took with us and had to use credit card at a few places which was annoying us because we had put our spending money on a travel card already exchanged to pounds and really want to use it all so don’t have to change back and loose on the currency.
Went for a drive around the town while not many cars and pedestrians around not much happening at night time so easy to drive and look, amazing little town all sandstone terrace type buildings very old and historical.
Note from Greg. You could easily spend about a week here. Lots to look at including saxon and roman ruins, and an amazing canal viaduct system that you have to see to believe, complete with narrow houseboats.
Stayed at Travelodge waterside which is a little bit out of town but walkable and on the River Avon- . We have booked a few travelodges very cheap accommodation but just like standard hotels clean, comfortable and has tea & coffee facilities.

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Comments

[mary]

Happy Birthday Kathy
Glad you had a luxurious pamper on your birthday:) Just had dinner at the den - not as fancy as pheasent but the boys did place lanters on the steps and candles on the dinner table:) Loving the blogs.... Lots of love and happy vibes Mary xx

[Marlese Hurley]

Loved reading your entries sounds like your having a good time exploring the world... Take care and can't wait to read more! Love the Hurley's