9/2/2019 Roman Bath Part 2

These stacks of stones supported a floor. Warm water flowed around the stones to heat the (missing) floor above so the room was like a sauna.  There was an arched inlet and another for water return. 

The floor is worn from heavy Roman foot traffic.  They had to wear sandals as the stones were too warm to walk on barefoot.

Originally, this pool area was covered and the support was three times as big to hold the ceiling.  

Last night I went to the modern-day Roman Baths.  I enjoyed time in the open-air, roof-top pool and another warm pool at a lower level.  There were many teens & 20 year olds and older people.  The facility had a restaurant, massages, saunas, etc.  

9/2/2019. The Roman Bath in Bath UK Part one

It’s hard to imagine this site dates back to Roman Times.  The audio tour was very well done and there were excellent written and video resources along the way.

Remnants mounted on wall with video explanation filling in the gaps.  Very well done.  Center figure has snakes in beard and is a male although this was a tribute to Minerva.  The owl is a symbol of wisdom.  

A soldier’s tombstone.  Julius Vitalis died in the late first century AD.  He was probably a skilled craftsman that helped to build and maintain Aquae Sulis/Bath and he was probably quite well off. 

Head of Sulis Minerva. 

Costumed characters by Main Pool

(Temporary Backup) 9/2/2019 Afternoon in Bath.

I visited the Botanical Gardens.

 

I enjoyed a Cream Tea.  Tea for one with two warm scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam. Lovely view, too.  

River Avon.

I had my tea in a shop on the bridge.  

Jane Austen Center.  Jane Austen visited Bath throughout her life and Bath is included in all her books.  She was a country girl at heart and never did much writing in Bath.  She was a prodigious letter writer and a lot of what we know about her is from her letters.  The center was okay.  

The Bath Abbey. 

Bath 9/2/2019

Phone says14,635 steps, 6 miles, and climbed 7 floors.

Circus. The information about the Circus was posted with the Crescent post.  I can’t figure out how to copy and paste with my iPad.

 
These houses are called the circus, because they are in a circle.  Notice that each of the three levels above ground have a different type of column.

There are below grade apartments with patios in front of these buildings, too.  The door and two windows are one unit.  I saw one unit that is now divided into five as there were five doorbells by the door.  

At 11:00, we  toured the Roman Baths which I found fascinating.  I hope to do that post tomorrow.  This afternoon, I walked about in the Botanical Gardens and around town.  I visited Jane Austen’s Center, which was okay, but I can’t say I’d recommend it.  I also had a cream tea 

which is a pot of tea for one with two warm scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam.  I enjoyed a great view out on the River Avon while I drank my tea.  It was a lovely break.  This evening, I went to the modern version of the Roman Baths and enjoyed two different steaming pool. It was relaxing and enjoyable.  

Hoping you are all safe from Hurricane Dorian.  .  

(Temporary Backup) Saturday 8/31/19 Lake District

Sat.  8/31/2019 Day 4  Breakfast Averages High  64°,  Low  52°,  36% rain. Low Wood Bay Resort And Spa on Lake Windermere,  Ambleside, LA23 1LP U.K.  Phone 44 153 943 3773. 2nd night    Phone says 4.2 miles, 10,402 steps, and climbed 7 floors.

Lake District

'TOUR INFO' "Discover a corner of the world that gave inspiration to famed writers such as William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and Sir Walter Scott. Set sail on Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake." It is a ribbon lake that was formed in a steep-sided glacial trough and is about eleven miles long.  "Enjoy the tranquil backdrop as we cruise into the charming village of Bowness for some leisure time."  Bowness-on-Windermere is the location of The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction which includes displays on the writer.  We actually sailed from Bowness to Ambleside.  It was a cloudy trip with some light rain.  The lake is not very developed at all.  There were many sailboats moored in the small villages/resorts.  Soak up the romance of the Lake District with a visit to Rydal Mount, the home of poet William Wordsworth.

The lake has passenger service along the whole length with steamers and launches.  A vehicle-carrying cable ferry runs across the lake and there are two summer-only ferries.  Five large boating clubs are located on the lake.   Windermere is a large lake located in Cumbria's Lake District National Park in northwest England.

After our boat ride, I wandered around Ambleside.  I took a lot of pictures of the houses made of stone and stone walls.  The town has a lot of character and a lot of sporting stores.  There were many hikers and their dogs on the streets.  

This is my resort, Low Wood Bay.  The room is spacious and the food has been excellent.  The facility was recently refurbished.  

There was one water skier.

Arrival in Ambleside.


Leaving Bowness.

“ Soak up the romance of the Lake District with a visit to Rydal Mount, the home of poet William Wordsworth.  The lake has passenger service along the whole length with steamers and launches.  A vehicle-carrying cable ferry runs across the lake and there are two summer-only ferries.  Five large boating clubs are located on the lake.   Windermere is a large lake located in Cumbria's Lake District National Park in northwest England.  

Ambleside

Wordsworth’s Cottage 8/31/2019

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William Wordsworth rented this cottage for 37 years. He did the beautiful landscaping and his family still uses the property.  

Wordsworth’s study on the top floor.  

View back up to the house from the gate to Dora’s field.  Wordsworth bought the field and gave it to his daughter, Dora.

After Dora’s death, the poet and his wife planted the field full of daffodils.  

Five acres of gardens.

Grasmere 8/31/19

Wordsworth’s grave in Grasmere. The crow was real, not decorative.   Wordsworth's stone is on the far left.  His daughter’s, Dora, is in the center.

 
Grasmere is famous for this gingerbread.

This is a cottage the Wordsworth’s first rented in the area.



There are a lot of sheep in this area.