Bath Weekend (Posted a little late!)
One of the great opportunities I have while studying in Wales, are all the travel options I have at my fingertips. This last weekend, my friend Sofia invited to me to join her on a trip to Bath, her hometown. Not only was I excited because it was a chance to explore something new, but also because most of Jane Austen's novels take place in or around Bath. Including the one of the film locations of the BBC's adaption of Pride and Prejudice.
I was planning on leaving on Friday, but after a wondeful day of shopping and exploring Cardiff, I talked to Sofia and she convinced me to skip class and come a day earlier, so she could take me to Lacock, which was used as a location in Pride and Prejudice. It wasn't too hard to convince and my professor even encouraged me by saying that this was "research time." So I happily packed a day early and hopped on the train.
Once I arrived in Bath, Sofia, I, and Andrea (a friend of the family from Ecuador on her gap year) headed to Glastonbury. It's a small town, full of strange shops, but also the site of the Glastonbury Abbey (mostly in ruins at this point). We explored the abbey, took a picture with a monk, tasted what the monks ate (which was pretty good actually), and I even saw King Arthur's grave. There was also an apple tree orchard, which for some reason, really took me back in time. I took about 400 hundred pictures of the apples. You know me, I see something red, and I go straight for it.
We took it easy that night, as we were all pretty tired and the next day we set out early to explore Bath. I loved the city as soon as I saw it. And my excitement grew as I saw a sign that read, "Jane Austen Centre." Sofia and Andrea walked with me to the centre, but they weren't going to go in. As soon as I walked in the door, I see a picture of Colin Firth! I knew I was where I belonged! I bought my ticket and waited in the parlor for the tour to begin. I knew my mom and sister would love this place, so I took as many pictures as I could. Soon, I was ushered into a room with just a few other people, while a guide gave us a brief overview of Jane Austen's life. It was obvious how much of her own life went into her work, and that she drew from things she knew, which gave me some encouragement. I felt so inspired hearing about Austen's life and writing, I could feel my eyes getting misty. I didn't cry though! I just tried to absorb everything I could while I was there. After the tour, I proceeded to purchase half of the gift shop. Including a book called, "Jane Austen's Guide to Romance." A must read! I'm already half way through it!
After the Jane Austen Centre, I found Sofia and Andrea and we grabbed a bite to eat then headed back to Sofia's house. We took a short rest and then headed back out for our ghost walk! Our tour guide was a little old lady, but don't let that fool you, she was fast! She took us by all the locations where ghosts have been spotted in Bath, including a duelling ground and a men's powder room. I found hearing about the history more interesting than hearing about ghost sightings. Maybe because if I thought about the ghosts too much I'd get freaked out!
The next day we took it easy and prepared for Sofia's nephew Lucas' second birthday party. On Sunday, as promised, Sofia took me to Lacock. That was really stepping back in time! The town was so gorgeous and tiny and old and wonderful! I saw the street used in Pride and Prejudice and the Red Lion Inn, where Darcy and Elizabeth first met! We also went to another abby, which was used in two of the Harry Potter movies. Sofia was estatic about that. We then headed back to Bath for another birthday party for Lucas and then headed home to Wales. It was a spectacular weekend!
*Pictures are not working... AGAIN! So I will try and post them later.
I was planning on leaving on Friday, but after a wondeful day of shopping and exploring Cardiff, I talked to Sofia and she convinced me to skip class and come a day earlier, so she could take me to Lacock, which was used as a location in Pride and Prejudice. It wasn't too hard to convince and my professor even encouraged me by saying that this was "research time." So I happily packed a day early and hopped on the train.
Once I arrived in Bath, Sofia, I, and Andrea (a friend of the family from Ecuador on her gap year) headed to Glastonbury. It's a small town, full of strange shops, but also the site of the Glastonbury Abbey (mostly in ruins at this point). We explored the abbey, took a picture with a monk, tasted what the monks ate (which was pretty good actually), and I even saw King Arthur's grave. There was also an apple tree orchard, which for some reason, really took me back in time. I took about 400 hundred pictures of the apples. You know me, I see something red, and I go straight for it.
We took it easy that night, as we were all pretty tired and the next day we set out early to explore Bath. I loved the city as soon as I saw it. And my excitement grew as I saw a sign that read, "Jane Austen Centre." Sofia and Andrea walked with me to the centre, but they weren't going to go in. As soon as I walked in the door, I see a picture of Colin Firth! I knew I was where I belonged! I bought my ticket and waited in the parlor for the tour to begin. I knew my mom and sister would love this place, so I took as many pictures as I could. Soon, I was ushered into a room with just a few other people, while a guide gave us a brief overview of Jane Austen's life. It was obvious how much of her own life went into her work, and that she drew from things she knew, which gave me some encouragement. I felt so inspired hearing about Austen's life and writing, I could feel my eyes getting misty. I didn't cry though! I just tried to absorb everything I could while I was there. After the tour, I proceeded to purchase half of the gift shop. Including a book called, "Jane Austen's Guide to Romance." A must read! I'm already half way through it!
After the Jane Austen Centre, I found Sofia and Andrea and we grabbed a bite to eat then headed back to Sofia's house. We took a short rest and then headed back out for our ghost walk! Our tour guide was a little old lady, but don't let that fool you, she was fast! She took us by all the locations where ghosts have been spotted in Bath, including a duelling ground and a men's powder room. I found hearing about the history more interesting than hearing about ghost sightings. Maybe because if I thought about the ghosts too much I'd get freaked out!
The next day we took it easy and prepared for Sofia's nephew Lucas' second birthday party. On Sunday, as promised, Sofia took me to Lacock. That was really stepping back in time! The town was so gorgeous and tiny and old and wonderful! I saw the street used in Pride and Prejudice and the Red Lion Inn, where Darcy and Elizabeth first met! We also went to another abby, which was used in two of the Harry Potter movies. Sofia was estatic about that. We then headed back to Bath for another birthday party for Lucas and then headed home to Wales. It was a spectacular weekend!
*Pictures are not working... AGAIN! So I will try and post them later.
posted by Meg at 6:11 AM
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