Hello, luv!
Hi there!
My name is Martha and I am a single, retired woman from the Denver area who is a big fan of Rick Steves tours. Since my first trip to France in 2012 I have been hooked! I am in love with England and decided to take the Villages of Southern England tour in the fall of 2018.
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BATH
Day 12: The final leg
Unfortunately, our time at the beach and Cornwall was at an end and we had to move on to Bath. Our itinerary was via Tintagel but I was disappointed to hear the access bridge had just been closed for the season and major repairs. So, Mark took us to Glastonbury instead. On these tours, regardless of good planning, things don't always happen as expected. The guides do a really good job of improvising and finding something else to do. In any case, I had been to Glastonbury before but really loved it so was happy with the change.
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The abbey ruins in Glastonbury were beautiful on a bright, sunny day in October. The remaining soaring arches are a testament to what it would have looked like before Henry VIII ordered it demolished in the 1500s. At the reported burial place of King Arthur, Mark wove another of his stories about medieval times and how they relate to today.
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The town of Glastonbury is really funky with lots of 1960s throwback people and stores. Great memory boosters for Baby Boomers! I explored the streets and shops looking at crystals, incense, and quirky people after checking out the abbey. I loved this stop.
Our last day on the bus was a lengthy one so Mark used the time to talk about a number of last minute subjects and at least a few tour members caught up on a bit of sleep. Our guide in training, Steve, also took a turn with the mic and talked about his opinion on Brexit. Mark and Steve didn't agree on the issue but were both happy to explain their views in a civilized manner without arguments. Very refreshing.
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We bid a farewell to Paul at the hotel and after time to relax and rejuvenate we had a walking tour of Bath. We strolled over the Pulteney Bridge and around to the Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. We ended up at Woods, a gourmet restaurant, for our final dinner. I knew this was the last time I would see many of these new friends so the meal was bittersweet. One last celebration to tuck away great memories.
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Day 13 and onwards: My own adventures
Tours always officially end after breakfast on the final day but by that time some of the group had already left and others were sleeping in so attendance was somewhat spotty. I did get a chance to give one last hug to many and wish them a safe journey onwards.
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I find it really helpful to have a specific personal plan for the last day of a tour. If not, it is easy for me to feel let down and get lazy. This day was chilly and rainy (the first rain since the early days in London) but that did not deter me from revisiting some old friends in Bath. I fished my umbrella out of the bottom of my tote and off I went!
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In light of the weather I started at the Roman Baths. I had seen them on the England tour but I learned much more on this day. The sophistication of the complex is amazing for being over 2000 years old! And they have some new technology showing what the completed stonework would have been.
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I also made a stop at the Bath Abbey. This one was not destroyed by Henry and, in fact, is a current and vibrant community in an old building. The day I was there they were having a bake sale. I stopped and bought a tasty treat and chatted with some of the parishioners.
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Bath is a gracious Georgian beauty. Many of the structures are from the 1700s and are built from the local honey-colored stone. With the rain slowing down I just walked the streets and admired the surroundings. I also picked up a late lunch at Sally Lunn. This is a popular restaurant so I enjoyed watching the other patrons as I ate a sandwich on their special bread.
I had an early evening to rest and get organized for the last step of my journey. On Day 14 I made the easy transfer to London by train.
BRIT BITS:
It's a sign!
I find the English people to be very kind and polite They have different ways of expressing themselves than Yanks do. I am always amazed at how that kindness is expressed in their signs. I took pictures of some of the amusing (to me) signs I saw along the way.
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I also loved the artistic signs advertising businesses, particularly pubs.
These arches were once part of the sanctuary
Looking towards the Lady Chapel
I said goodbye to the hotel as I walked to the train station
These arches were once part of the sanctuary