Friday 26 June

We cross the Severn Bridge and pass through a small town called Pennsylvania!

We enjoy our time in Bath. Want to come back. Went to the Roman baths, of course, and then had morning tea in the Pump Room. Talk about inadequately dressed for the grandeur of the room which harked back to a former time when we would have promenaded around the room. Sadly, all people can see is my stubby little legs poking out of my shorts. I have a Traditional Bath Bun with Monkey King tea! The bun comes with cinnamon butter which was so yummy. Tina has a warm cheddar cheese and chives scone. Other items from the menu were Lemon and Poppy Seed Scones and Sultana and Demerara Crust Scone. There was a violin, cello and piano playing - similar to St Marks Square, Venice.

We then had a glass of Bath water - strange taste of many minerals.

Tina visits Bath Abbey whilst I take photos of unusual but compelling sculptures.

Need more time! Didn't get to Jane Austen museum. Drive past her birthplace but there is a huge truck parked in front of it so no photo.

Interesting pub name - The King's Head. Presumably a reference to Charles I.

Nest, and last stop on the tour is Stonehenge. It took us by surprise as it is so small. I don't want to put down the amazing achievement of the builders; it's just that it doesn't take long to get around it. The only thing that slows you down os the lengthy audio commentary.

Within 30 seconds of leaving we are caught up in a traffic jam!

The mileage for the trip is 1839 ie 2942kms.

We are dropped where we started (the Thistle) and catch a taxi to City Inn Westminster, room 222 which is our 40th bed. It is a new room, very well appointed and comfortable. We are made very welcome with 10% off meals, free wine, free fruit. We don't know but we think it may because we are staying 8 nights. There is also free internet/wifi in the room. The tv is an Apple iMac.

From the Guardian

Carol Ann Duffy is the new poet laureate (and first female in 341 years of the post) and has just released her first poem. It is titled "Politics" and deals with the expenses scandal which occupies masses of media space. The Guardian says it "is a powerful, passionate commentary on the corrosiveness of politics on politicians and the ruinous effect on idealism."

POLITICS

How it makes of your face a stone
that aches to weep, of your heart a fist,
clenched or thumping, sweating blood,of your tongue
an iron latch with no door. How it makes of your right hand
a gauntlet, a glove-puppet of the left, of your laugh
a dry leaf blowing in the wind, of your desert island discs
hiss hiss hiss, makes of the words on your lips dice
that can throw no six. How it takes the breath
away, the piss, makes of your kiss a dropped pound coin,
makes of your promises latin, gibberish, feedback, static,
of your hair a wig, of your gait a plank-walk. How it says this -
politics - to your education education education; shouts this -
Politics! - to your health and wealth; how it roars, to your
conscience moral compass truth,
POLITICS POLITICS POLITICS.