In Which the E of D, LM and LP Visit the Shires of Yorke

For those of you still in disbelief about my parents stepping food inside pubs, here is proof:


They even ENJOYED it.

I know. Shocking.

After walking over hill, dale and Hadrian's wall, we were knackered. We headed straight for York and our guest house.


No, unfortunately it wasn't this guest house. Would of been nice, but I think it was a bit rich for our budget. However, our guest house was on a nice quiet street and was clean and comfortable, which suited me fine. It was also in close walking proximity to City Centre, which suited me even better.

Naturally, we had to hit the Roman Baths in York. A trip, any trip, wouldn't be complete without visiting the Baths!

These baths were quite cool because they had an interesting collection of items from the Roman Occupation, such as weapons...
...writing implements (In keeping with the theme of our entire England tour.)...

... graffiti (No Roman settlement is complete without it. "Gladius Maximus is gonna kick Harius Minimus's backside", etc.)...

... and toilet paper. You read that right. Toilet paper. It's reusable. Good for the environment. The Romans were all about Green living. Who knew!

While we were there, Mom decided to join up. Doesn't she look fetching in her helmet?

We also took the opportunity to meet up with my mate, Jimbo (Say "hi" to the nice people, Jimbo.). Of course his name isn't actually Jimbo, it's James, but I don't think I've ever called him James. Ever. That would be weird.

I don't have a picture of Jimbo, 'cause he's camera-shy. But one of these days...

After a lovely afternoon in York, we hit the road on our way to Cambridge. A punting we will go...

In Which the E of D, LM and LP Spend Time With Romans and Walk the Wall of Hadrian

The original Roman mile marker was our first sign we were getting close. Or it would have been if we'd known what we were looking at the first time we walked by it. Fortunately, by the second time we walked by, we had achieved enlightenment.


We were close to this:
The Great Wall of Barbarians. Otherwise known as Hadrian's Wall.



Ok, fine. It's only known as Hadrian's Wall. But that's completely beside the point.

If you know me well, you know my fondness for Really Old Roman Stuff. And the Wall pretty much qualifies. Built a bajillion years ago (about 1900, give or take) to mark the edge of the Roman Empire and keep out the Barbarian Horde.

Barbarians being pretty much anyone who wasn't Roman. Like these two:

Nearly 300 years later the last Roman stood watch on the wall before the Empire hightailed it out of Britain for good. Roman shoes probably weren't nearly as cool as my trainers, though.
Are you tired of me saying "the views were amazing" yet?



Well, if the shoe fits.

I'm not sure this stone is actually Roman. Well, the stone was probably most definitely around at the same time the Romans were, I'm just not sure the arrow was carved in it by the Romans. But I like to think so.

This possibly Roman arrow points the way to Housesteads, one of the best preserved Roman forts along the wall.
The well was set outside the walls, believe it or not. I never understood why people built essential things like wells OUTSIDE fortifications. Makes no sense to me.
These carvings were originally INSIDE the walls. Probably in the temple.
The original inspiration for the statue of Aphrodite. HA!

The West Gate and the REAL reason these forts were built... TAXES!!!!!!!!!!

The more things change, eh?

Other important buildings sprinkled throughout the fort, like the Commander's Quarters, the Hospital, and the Baths.



After satisfying my need for Really Old Roman Stuff, we jumped in our chariot and headed to York...

A'bathing We Will Go

As some of you may recall, I blogged about my first trip to Bath back in April of 2007. Pretty much, I loved the place. Unfortunately, other than a drive by with Lili and Shirley, I hadn't been back until this September.

This time I decided, come hell or high water, I was going to visit the Thermae Bath Spa and pamper myself properly. After all, when in Rome...

The hot springs in bath are the only hot springs found in the UK, so you can imagine the Romans (bathing addicts that they were) went pretty nuts about it. Hence the settlement of Aquae Sulis, which still stands today. Only we call it Bath.

You know me and my history thing. Not only have I got to hit every single bit of Really Old Roman... um... Stuff... within a 100 mile radius, I have to know just what exactly they did there. Which is probably why I adore R. S. Downie's mystery novels about a "Roman medic and reluctant sleuth" stationed in ancient Britain during the Roman occupation (The author actually lives not to far from my former abode in Denham and I've talked shop with her via email. Very nice lady.). But I digress...

I found myself with my bag slung over my shoulder, tromping through cobbled streets, the golden Bath stone of Georgian walls glowing softly in the gloomy gray afternoon. The sheer glass walls of the spa sparkled before me, the dichotomy of ultra modern surrounded by time-mellowed Georgian works in an odd sort of way. The air, heavy with mist from the geothermal springs, tickles my nose. This I remember well. Even the name, Thermae Bath Spa, denotes it's ancient origins. Thermae was the word the Romans used for their bathing complexes, the ruins of which still stand mere feet from the modern spa.

Like the Roman legions before me, I gird myself with toga and sandals (Ok, bathrobe and slippers.) and with fluffy towel clutched to my chest, I head for the hot springs. Unlike the Romans before me, I take the elevator. To the roof.

Admittedly, this picture was taken on a much nicer day, but I am undaunted by roiling black clouds. I am made of sterner stuff. The roof top pool is amazing, though only about room temp. Downright chilly on such a gloomy afternoon, but I soon get used to it and bob along calmly, enjoying the view. At least until the dark clouds turn to rain clouds and I head for warmer climes.

Another elevator ride takes me here:

The belly of the beast, as it were. The air is thick and heavy with the zing of minerals and the beautifully warm water stings my bare legs (Note to self: Next time don't shave the morning you plan to hit the hot springs.). I find a warm bubbling corner and relax with my own bright-blue pool noodle.

After awhile the clouds open up and dump rain on the city of Bath. I love it as the ceiling above is made of glass and I can see and hear the rain splatting against the steel and glass, but I am warm and dry. Well, not dry, but certainly warm. And drowsy. And very reluctant to leave when my 2 hour session is over, despite the fact I've turned downright pruny.

I drowsily make my way back to my little changing stall and get myself dried off and back in my street clothes, my very un-Roman swim suit safely sealed in a plastic bag. Still drowsy, I hit the now sunny street and the bright, fresh air.

No wonder the Romans dug this place so much.