We had the opportunity to go to Bath on Tuesday the 19th of September, well that’s not entirely true, we were due to go to Greenwich (something Delia has wanted to do for a few years now)for a week with the caravan. Due to a rather a lot of standing for periods at a time whilst working with Dartmoor Vale Rotary Club at the Widecombe Fayre, on car park duties on the 12th of the month , well assisting the loading of people onto the buses to be precise. All that standing for nearly six hours did not agree wit
h my lower lumbar problem as was the case last year and the reason it’s been cancelled twice.
It’s the second time this has happened, which was rather difficult and the thought went through my mind I should think of somewhere else to go to make up for the disappointment, so I suggested a couple of days in Bath as a sweetener! Well that turned into three nights as it’s better value for money!
So a hotel booked and we headed off on Tuesday and stopped at Stourhead National Trust for lunch and short break, arriving at our accommodation in Colerne around 4pm in an area known as Slaughterford. Geographically a good area for Bath (only 9 miles away) and the surrounding area.
Day 2 Wednesday
Wednesday we decided to take a small ferry boat from Bathampton on the River Avon to Pulteney Bridge in the centre of Bath. a great journey and I recommend it to anyone, it also saves parking in Bath.
We just did the return trip and came straight back but you can come back at any time.
During the journey the was a commentary of the history of the area going back to the Romans which was very interesting and filled in a lot of missing bits.
Anyway on the way back we had the pleasure of seeing a Kingfisher, one of 4 on the river apparently so here are a couple of lucky shots
On our arrival back to Bathampton it was nearly time to go in search of a lunch venue via Bathampton Primary School beside a canal.
Such a pretty location, Longboats all moored up in a quiet sleepy hollow. Then on through Claverton until we stumbled on The Inn at Freshford. All the best moments are those we stumble on. Another gorgeous location and a day to match, the sun shining. seated outside and food which was really lovely, just a snack as we were out to dinner in the evening.
Leaving Freshford we went through Westwood, well passed it and on to Bradford on Avon which is a lovely spot with walks along the canal a lock and a gorgeous Church
That evening we headed into Bath to Martini’s Italian Restaurant in George Street, arriving around 6:30. Not our first visit, we came a few years ago and it as good as ever, a genuine Italian venue with all Italian staff. A great close to a beautiful day.
Day 3 Thursday
The weather was not so great in the morning so a trip to the National Trust House Dyrham Park seemed, ideal also for lunch as we were headed out to a show in the evening (The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard and the lead was Lawrence Fox) so a light tea was planned.
In the afternoon the weather picked up and we did a little touring on the way back to the hotel. We stopped of in the little village of Marshfield which is lovely, a couple of local shops and an unusual convenience, Dont you just love it.
We picked up some snacks in the village shoppe to take back and have before we went to the show.
Day 4
Friday and time to head for home, stopping off at Bread and Beyond Chewton Mendip, Radstock BA3 4LJ (not to be missed) in Chewton Mendip on the A39 and indulging in some tasty home made morsels and coffee before going on to the Clarkes Village, hitting the road for home before the traffic and rush hour.
Malcolm & Delia 