Blogs from Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 3

Also while in Bath we took a tour of the Bath Abbey bell tower. This tour was fantastic. It was a slow day for them so Brendan and I were the only ones on the tour. The tour requires going up and down 212 steps in a spiral staircase. We went to the bell room and yes, we did get to ring some of the bells. We also went up to the belfry and also went up behind the clock. One really cool part was looking down through a small hole in the ceiling. There is also an incredible view from the tower roof. The last picture is a Pana rami view of a famous bath building called the crescent.... read more

Geo: 51.3814, -2.35745So this morning I was headed for Bath. But first I had to find my way to Paddington station. Thanks to my trusty train guide (Trish) I knew which trains I had to catch and made it there around 10am. There was a 10 o'clock train but there was no way I was making that (still had to buy tickets) So I found the ticket selling machine and purchased my ticket for Bath. No sooner did the ticket spit out but an announcement came over the PA that there were delays to all stations west of the city. I went to the info counter to find out "something" had jumped onto the tracks at Slough. I was told There may not be a train until after midday. So I went and got myself a ... read more

Today was my last day with the Kents so we got to relax and spend the day together. We played my new favorite game, Settlers of Catan, so many times that I was actually able to win once. I had a great last day spending time with them. The next morning I woke up with enough time to play one last round of our favorite game before I had to catch a train. We drove to the train station in Reigate and waited about twenty minutes until the train to Reading came. I said my goodbyes and tried not to cry. Once I got on the train, I put my luggage up and sat down. Once I got to Reading, I had to get off the train, validate my rail pass, and then get on the ... read more

I found it hard and painful to adjust to my new life during the first two days in England. Every time I do anything, I would be comparing it to the way things are at home (Vancouver). Vancouver suddenly seemed so much better, nicer, cleaner, friendlier.... Then, I realized that as a traveler, this is the exact kind of mindset that would hinder the fuller experience of moving away from home. I need to keep my mind open, and learn to walk as the Roman's walk (metaphorically). London has bad air. I'm not going to lie. Makes me appreciate just how lucky I am to live in a country (Canada) with fresh air that doesn't fill my nostrils with soot. But now that I am in Bath, things are a bit better. The countryside definitely has ... read more

Well A lot has happened since my last epistle. When you left me last I was getting ready for the next leg. The 12 and 1/2 hours to heathrow was bearable considering the digs, but it is still tiring. Gaynor's aunt met us at Heathrow and escorted us to the tube to take us to South Harrow, which included a change of trains at stations which are not designed for people with enough luggage to comfortably justify an explanation of " Oh, yes we are moving house, why do you ask?" But an hour later we were at South Harrow station and following Aunty Gaynor for what seemed like an interminably amount of passageways, fire doors interspersed with left and right hand turns. For 2 people, jetlagged, it was confusing, to the point that we actually ... read more