Our friends Sioux and Claire arranged a trip to Highclere Castle, better known as the Downton Abbey house. So, while I have some pics of the outside and the entrance, no photos are allowed inside, as it still a private home to the current Earl of Carnarvon. I guess they want you to buy the book. It was fun seeing the rooms that were used in the series, and there were screen shots of the cast with memorable quotes. The basement held an Egyptian King Tut replica exhibit, as the 5th Earl of Carnarvon was involved in the discovery of the tomb. And if you’re familiar with the Curse of Tut’s Tomb you know it didn’t work out well for him. I do have to say it was a great exhibit.

We also had a lovely tea on the grounds (in a tent as this was the only day we had rain in the 2 weeks were there). My first taste of a Victoria sponge!

Claire and Sioux delivered us to my-brother-from-another-mother Mark and his wife/girlfriend or whatever he’s calling her that day, Jan in Winchester. Another meeting of friends who’ve never met. After a fun dinner out and goodbyes in the morning Sioux and Claire headed back to Chertsey, and Mark had planned a wonderful trip to Bath for the rest of us.

A trip to Bath requires a bathing suit, which I did not have. And since most stores already had their winter parkas on display I was not certain I would find one. But on a quick trip to Winchester center and a Primark store I bagged a simple black maillot for the US equivalent of $5. A bit baggy in the butt but it certainly did the job.

And guess what is on the way to Bath? Stonehenge! Another check off the bucket list. While we couldn’t get close it was still a true wonder. And the crows that frequent the stones there feel like they represent the souls that came before. Such amazing energy there.

We arrived at our beautiful hotel in Bath, the Gainsborough Bath Spa. Dig a hole in Bath and you’ll hit water, very hot water, which is why the Romans built the baths there. The Gainsborough has a beautiful spa with a pool, steam, sauna, hot pools and an ice room with a lion sculpture spitting ice into a vessel. Hence I needed the swimsuit. But first, dinner at a fabulous Japanese restaurant and a walk around the city the next day. A full English breakfast, a farmer’s market, the bridges over and parks along the Avon river, the Jane Austen center and a Jane Austen interpreter we met at the hotel bar. And a wonderfully surly German bartender to spar with. What a great day!

Deborah