Weekend Meanderings – Bath
As the last bank holiday of the year came and went; I consoled myself with a few days away in historic Bath. 
But it had more on offer than just 60AD Roman plumbing! First obligatory stop the merky waters of the thermal Roman Bath Spa.
What remains of the huge sprawling roman foundations is fascinating; from the hypocaust heating to the original steaming water source.
Most fascinating was some hand written ‘curses’ to the water goddess. With Romans complaining about stolen bags, scrawled onto lead and thrown into the water.
On the bridge over Pulteney Weir was an amazing design boutique – ‘Found’ concept store, and I’m not the only one to think so as it has been voted Top boutique as voted by The Sunday Telegraph Vogue and Glamour.
A real treasure trove of stationary, home accessories, fashion and gifts.
I love the old school gym equipment for the wrapping paper display.
I managed to negotiate a trip to Bath Fashion Museum which is housed within the amazing Bath assembly rooms; as you can see by the astounding high ceilings and chandeliers.
The temporary show was Laura Ashley – The Romantic Heroine.
A huge selection of the original Laura Ashley collection; now a far cry from what you see in their shop window of today.
Many of the dress styles really did feel like they had been pulled out of a 18th Century Novel; but the use of colour and contrasting pattern is what brought the dresses into the present.
Then down in the basement of the building was an amazing display of fashion through the ages including the dress of the year 2011.
A rainbow of shoes.
Not to be outdone, I can’t pass up some ‘dress up’, so here is am as a Victorian child!
The building also features beautifully kept parquet floor, wall to wall …all 8 walls.
A much needed stop into Bea’s Vintage Tea Rooms; A huge scone and loose leaf tea, sipped from an eclectic mix of tea sets; served by a lovely waitress with a scarf in her hair and hot red lipstick.
Keeping it fair after the fashion museum we popped into the Vintage and Rare Guitars shop, one of the finest in the UK. Three tiny floors packed with an array of these stringed wonders.
Fortuitously the Bath Vintage and Antiques Market was on, feast your eyes on some of the discoveries:
The Georgian architecture is a must see with the first Crescents in the UK.
One final tourist stop; a boat tour on the River Avon. Which ended up being a rather intimate tour for two by Tony Murphy.
An interesting hour chugging along the river – above the floor lines are marked to the bridge.
The tour culminated in a photo opportunity right in the middle of the Weir.
After an action packed weekend the Thermae Bath Spa, cannot be recommended highly enough. Floating around the heated pools and catching the last of the evenings rays on the rooftop pool; felt purely Mediterranean; just like the Romans intended!
