Gym's Ramblings: Fall 2023 - A Euro Roadtrip

After starting off on a rather wet first day in Bath, the boss decided to rent a large umbrella for 2 quid. She has always been such a smart travelling companion for her husband. And sure enough, it never rained again after Mrs. Gym completed that wise transaction. Of course, to protect the public, Mr. Gym was never allowed to carry the thing.

On the morning of September 18th, 2023, our travellers trekked up to the Royal Victoria Park. They ascended the escarpment on a portion of the Cotswolds Way. The trail runs diagonally across the park and up a steep grade that runs onwards to Cold Ashton. They only followed the path up the hill as far as the edge of the "foot-golf" course and then traversed across the hill to the Botanical Gardens. There, they briefly purused the large variety of colourful plantings and stopped to marvel at the palm trees that seemed to be thriving there. Later they returned to the hotel having put in a good five or six kilometres of cross-country trekking in the morning. They took refreshments at the Huntsman, a Georgian public house, right next to their hotel. A properly pored Guinness was the right medicine after the morning's exertions.

Later that day, the travellers explored some beautiful green spaces across the River Avon in Bathwick. To get there they crossed the Pulteney Bridge which was built in 1774 and is very cool. Both sides of the bridge deck are lined with with shops and restaurants. Bathwick is another area where there are more rows of stately stone townhouses surrounded by ample green space. The travellers wandered all three of the area's large city parks. Next to the river there there is The Recreation Grounds which includes a rugby stadium and a cricket pitch. There is also Henreitta Park, a tranqil 10-acre park with some massive tree specimens. Close by there is also the larger green space of Sydney Gardens. Jane Austen used to hang out here. There is a great children's playground, tennis courts and stately walkways that cross the The Kennet and Avon Canal on impressive iron-railed foot bridges. Bathwick is definitely worth exploring.

On the last day in Bath, prior to checking out of the hotel, our travellers bought two tickets to tour the Roman Baths. For about 20 pounds you gained entry and at your own pace, used a handheld audio device to get the details on the artefacts and the workings of the ancient temple and spa as you wandered through the site. It is a must-do thing when you visit Bath.

The Vauxhall Corsa was patiently waiting for Gym in the underground parking lot where he had left it when they arrived in Bath. Gym had missed the masculine purr of its powerful engine. Lol, just kidding! Later that morning, the travellers left this beautiful city and returned along the M4 motorway towards London. The righthand drive Corsa was returned unscathed to where they had rented it and dinner followed in the Heathrow Marriott restaurant. Gym and his sidekick retired early that night because they had a 6 AM flight to Barcelona. They did not want to miss their flight because there was a Gym family reunion in the capitol of Catalonia.