Day 2, Monday After a delicious English breakfast, Roy lead us on a walking tour of Bath that ended with a tour of the Roman Baths. The rest of the afternoon we were free to explore. I took a tour on the hop on hop off bus, toured the Assembly rooms and Number One Royal Crescent. As recommended, had a delicious fish and chips dinner at the Scallop Shell, 22 Monmmouth Place, Bath.
Roman Baths
Medieval Clock in Wells Cathedral where Knights joust on the quarter hour
At Wells, Roy pointed out a plague honoring Henry John Patch (Harry), the last fighting Tommy, that fought in the battle of Passchendaele during the 1914 to 1918 war and represents all the brave young men lost in the great war. This was just the first of many plagues and benches remembering loved ones who died in war. Reading them, I remembered my grandfather who was a Corporal in Company G, 1st Gas Regiment CWS in WWI, my father and uncles who served in WWII and how the family remembers Uncle Edward by restoring his tractor.
Scenes from Glastonbury and Wells
Day 3, Tuesday We met James, our coach driver and had a scenic drive to Glastonbury Abbey. Roy provided a brief history then we were free to wonder the Abbey ruins and 36 acres of parkland grounds. Glastonbury Abbey is one of the earliest Christian monastic sites. Monks in the 12th century claim to have discovered the grave of legendary King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. In 1539 King Henry the Eight ordered the Abbey destroyed. The ruins remain today. After a delicious picnic lunch provided by Roy, Liz, and James, we continued by bus to Wells. Wells is the smallest cathedral city in England with many medieval buildings. The Vicars Close is one of the oldest occupied streets in Europe, having been occupied since 1348. Local guides provided the history of the Wells Cathedral including the carvings and its famous medieval jousting clock from 1390. I had a delectable dinner at Rustico Bistro Italiano by the Royal Crescent in Bath (in Ricks book) I visited with a local retired engineer, a women visiting Bath from London and the friendly owner and staff. On the way back to the hotel, I met Liz and her partner walking their dog.