The London Eye
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
I’m happy for Kate Middleton. Really, I am.
She’s found the man of her dreams, a prince no less. And today, watched by family and friends, and 
millions of people around the world, she will walk down the aisle with him by her side.
She’s lucky. Only a few women get to have that fairy tale come true.
I’m happy for her family, too. By dint of hard work, they were able to turn an idea into a lucrative business earning them millions in the process.
That put them on firm footing financially so that they could afford to send their daughter to a good school where she was able to meet and snag her prince.
And so today, as they celebrate their good fortune and destiny revealed, I am pleased for them.
But that happiness is tempered by the reality nearly 3 million Britons are out of work, that services including medical and mental are being cut and libraries are closing.
And if that isn’t enough, they will be picking some of the tab for the 48 million dollar wedding. (It costs British taxpayers nearly 67 million annually to keep the royals in the style to which they’re entitled. So, even with the family promising to pick up part of the tab, it’s still taxpayers’ money.) Add that to the 10 million dollar that the designation of today as a national holiday will cost and the tally rises.
Even though I don’t live in Britain, when I look at these numbers, I find it difficult to be celebratory.
And it seems I’m not the only one. Reports say nearly 80% of Britons claim they don’t care about the big day either.
Can we blame them? Come April 30th, they’ll still be out of work and watching their standard of living continuing to deteriorate.
So while I wish the couple happiness and a long life together, I will not be watching their wedding today.
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Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
As I might have mentioned in previous posts, I’ll try anything.
We stopped for Steak and Ale pie at the George Inn in Lacock. The George Inn has been used as a pub since 1361. Though it’s been renovated and modernized, the George still maintains some of the vestiges from its past, such as the large open fireplace with a dog-wheel that once used for spit roasting.
Steak & Ale Pie
The pie was absolutely delicious!
I wasn’t sure how it was made but an Australian couple at the adjoining table explained that the meat was cooked first in ale – at least, that’s how it’s done in Australia, then baked.
I forgot to ask for a recipe but found this one on Allrecipes.com. If you try it, let me know what you think.
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
Long before houses had indoor bathrooms, public baths were the most convenient way for people – rich and poor – to keep clean. They were not just for bathing, however, they were also a great place for socializing.
Founded in 75 AD, the Roman Baths at Bath, which are situated below street level, consist of a sacred spring from which water, as hot as 114° F (46° C) bubbles up at a rate of 257,364 imperial gallons a day, the remains of the Temple of Aquae Sulis, and a museum that houses artifacts found at the site.
The baths have been renovated and expanded many times over the years. During the Roman occupation, a frigidarium (cold bath), caldarium (hot bath) and tepidarium (warm bath) were built. After the Romans withdrew from Britain, the baths fell into disrepair. They were reopened when public bathing became fashionable in England and at the end of the 18th century, the Georgian building surrounding the baths was designed by architect John Wood and his son, John.
The pool is no longer safe for bathing as the water still passes through the lead pipes that were constructed by the Romans.
The first thing you notice – wether in photos or as you enter – is the green color of the water in the great pool. Unfortunately, it’s not because the water is endowed with any mysterious powers, it comes from algae as the original roof that was in place during the Roman occupation was destroyed following their withdrawal.
I felt the water as it exited the spring. It was cool and buttery to the touch. It would have made for a refreshing and relaxing bath.
Some of the artifacts found in the pool are coins, a gilt-bronze statue of the head of Minerva and messages (curses) inscribed on sheets of lead or pewter that were rolled up and thrown into the spring where the spirit of the goddess dwelt.
A very modern way to arrive at the baths
Corner of the Great Pool where the water enters
View of Bath Abbey from the Great Pool
Cold bath (Frigidarium) - Those are coins in the water
Artifacts
Minerva
Pans and coins found at Bath
Detail of the original walkway
Servant in period dress
Man in period costume
Heritage recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1987
Bath is one of the best preserved examples of a Roman bath. It received more than a million visitors each year.
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Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
I wasn’t prepared for Bath. I knew that it was the location of the Roman Baths but I didn’t realize that the town itself was so beautiful.
The Circus
These residences were designed by the architect, John Wood. Unfortunately, he died before he could see them built and his son, also named John, completed his work.
Detail
Lights outside in the Circus
More Wood designed houses
Typical street in Bath
Quiet Street
Bath View
Sign
I’m not sure what to make of this sign on Bridge Street. Mr. Duck?
Old and New Classics Meet in Bath
At first, the juxtaposition of the Levi’s sign — a modern classic — on this Georgian building bothered me. A part of me still feels like it’s out of place.
Bath Steeple
Bath Abbey
Strive, Probe, Apply
Garfunkles Building
Door
Ducks in the (Bath) Water
Bath is worth the trip.
Enjoy!
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Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
I’m not sure when it happened. I can’t pinpoint the exact time, but I haven’t been to church in quite a while. I’m so clueless that I didn’t realize this would be Easter weekend, yesterday Easter Sunday.
When I was growing up, I knew the liturgical calendar. I knew when it was Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Had I been going to church, I would have known.
I’ve always loved Easter. It’s flush with hope and full of renewal. It’s always been special. Almost everyone pauses to observe the season. We prepare special foods and, of course, got new clothes to go to church on Easter Sunday.
Besides Christmas, Easter Sunday is the one other time when anyone who hadn’t gone to church in a while, makes an appearance (and vows to themselves to continue attending).
I didn’t attend Easter service yesterday but I did go to church — at Bath Abbey. And I promised myself to return.
Interior, Bath Abbey
Bath's stained glass window
Happy (Belated) Easter Sunday!
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Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
Image via Wikipedia
I discovered Charles Aznavour when I was at university and have loved listening to him ever since.
Aznavour’s songs are profoundly romantic, his voice passionate and seductive. He sets a certain mood that’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon (or anytime!).
This song, Mourir d’Aimer is one of my favorites.
Enjoy!
[youtube]Cv9fVD4spMw[/youtube]
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
There is only one….
Eiffel Tower
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
Hungerford Bridge
I went back and forth on this photo. Each time, I rejected it only to come back to it again.
Then, I’d look at this and think, this is the one.
Lines
What do you think?
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
Image via Wikipedia
I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had steak. Once when I saw Ella Fitzgerald in concert in Toronto, and the other at Le Relais de l’Entrecôte in Paris.
Steak and Fries
At Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, it’s the only thing on the menu. I wish I had the recipe to share but believe me when I tell you, it was good. The only thing left was the plate.
So, if you ever make it to Paris, check them out. You’ll not be disappointed.
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
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A Walking Tour of Falmouth Jamaica, Part IMay 8, 2013, 12:52 pm
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