15th June

Bath.

What an amazing place about the same size as Launceston, river running
through it and set in a gully with hills overlooking The whole of Bath is
a World Heritage Site it is like stepping back into the 18th century the whole city
is built in stone a magnificent Georgian city. We were lucky enough to be allowed
to put our heads inside their magnificent theatre just before a show started. The
stage drapes are to die for (just what I wanted at the centre Ivanhoe but of course
couldn't afford them). The theatre was built in 1805 it has been completely restored
it was just fabulous, If we had stayed longer I would have loved to go to a show.
We visited the Roman Baths would have loved to loll in the pool but unfortunately
it all just for show now. People bathed here 2000 years ago. It is a fantastic museum.
we saw the temple of Minerva and meet the Romans of Aquae sulis walked the
ancient stone pavements around the steaming pool - yes I did want to get in
the water it was quite hot and with all the minerals I am sure all my aches and pains
would disappear and I would be 20 again(ha ha). There was one pool where you could
see the water bubbling, coming straight up from the centre of the earth. This is
one place I could live.

Since Bath we have been hanging around London, I love to get on the underground
on my own and get off at every station into London and have a look around. My
favourite place is Sloane Sq shopping ( not that I can get anything to fit me) and
South Kensington for the houses. Robert and I went to Portbella Road market, we went
on a Thursday which was a bit silly I need to go back but all the antique shops were
open so we had a great time just looking. This week we did St Paul's (inside) beautiful
church to climb up into the famous gallery it is 257 steps we gave this a miss as once
you start you cannot come back. We had our audio guide which was great so we spent
all our time on the main floor and the crypt. They have just taken down the scaffolding which
has been up for 15 years while they restored it 15m it cost and well worth it - it looks fantastic.

I have also been back to Kew gardens, I have had many visits it is a huge place this time I went to the Tree top walk - lift is broken - so I climbed 111 steps to the top and walked around - I am getting plenty of exercise from the time I left home till I got back it was about 2 hours.
In the furthest corner is Queen Charlotte's Cottage this where she use to take her 15 kids for a picnic, they didn't sit on rugs like us ordinary people they had a cottage and the top room has
a roof like a tent painted with leaves - wonderful cottage two amazing spiral
stair cases. I also stood under giant redwood trees and they talked to me - no
I am not losing the plot that's true. The gardens are huge and so much to see
impossible to do it on one visit unless you very very fit. I have one more place to
see and that is inside Kew Palace I am saving this till last.

Its raining we have a wet week coming up which is a pain I have to buy an umbrella

lots of love to all