Blogs from Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

Geo: 51.3814, -2.35745Today Meriel and I and the dogs, Monty & Malfy enjoyed a 2 hour meandering walk through the fields and along the Banks of the Avon between Great Somerford And Malmesbury. Our route took us though woods lined with flowering bluebells and the remnants of the daffodils.With the dogs securely on leashes we crossed a number of field with grazing cows. Now all my previous encounters with such bovine beasts have been unremarkable... you'd only have to blink an eye and the cows would turn away. Not these ones... I reckon they were zombie cows.... not only did they actively follow us but they didn't even stop advancing when we we trying to 'whoosh' them away! Quite disturbing.... but we prevailed! Humans 1 - Cows 0.After nature there must be culture - I went ... read more

Geo: 51.3814, -2.35745We left Cardiff and headed out on the M4 having successfully escaped the parking building with no damage. Target destination - Stonehenge which we achieved with only minor deviations from our course. Stonehenge and the museum are pretty jolly impressive and well worth a visit but I do have to do a rant about British traffic management.About 2 miles from Stonehenge, traffic goes from two lanes to one and grinds to a halt. Yes, I get that they have to preserve the heritage site but really? Can't they do better? But wait, then you get to the lovely new visitor centre and I cannot begin to describe the chaos of the cafe. A million visitors a year and they could sure learn a thing or two from Macdonalds. They have buses that take you ... read more

One day to go until our visit to Japan and either my suitcase has shrunk or (more likely) I am trying to fit the usual four seasons worth of clothing into one medium sized case! Let's hope I have an iron in the room at the other end as my clothes now look vacuum packed! So why are we going to Japan? Tricia (medical director) and I (executive clinical lead - community services) have been invited to lead a two day conference in Tokyo and visit numerous palliative centres in and around the area. How lucky are we? The first thing I should say is thank you to my colleagues who will be covering my absence and for doing it without any grumbling (well when I was in the room at least) - silk kimonos will ... read more

I only have two pictures of Stonehenge because my camera was set to only expose when steady. Between the wind and my own shaking body, it took me a half hour to get these to photos! It does make you wonder how the early Britons managed to survive on these plains. After a much needed tea break, we took off for Lacock village which looks like something out of central casting. Several of the homes in this village of 200 people have been used in 'Pride and Prejudice' (1995),' Cranford', the earlier Harry Potter films and even the upcoming season of 'Downton Abbey.' We walked through this village like usurpers afraid to make a noise. Didn't see many locals as the day was cold and dreary, but met an intriguing fellow at the local artisan studio ... read more

I finished up a long day with an afternoon matinee of 'Spamalot' and I still have that silly song running through my head. The most fun I've had in a very long time. I miss Monty Python, don't you? No photos of the show, of course, but I should have snapped the Royal Theatre Bath - a lovely venue. It must be great to play there. Better part of the day was spent at the Roman Baths. Briefly, the Romans discovered the hot springs in the first century and built a temple to Minerva and a complex system of bathing rooms as was a part of their custom and society at the time. Discovered in the 18th century, the British have excavated and preserved the Roman structure through the centuries. After a few priviliged (and some ... read more