Weekend with Bibi, Part 1

Bibi came to visit me from Bournemouth! She arrived Thursday night and I took her to the Porto Lounge I found last week for a late night snack. Friday morning we took the train to Bath.

We had tea and crumpets at The Pump Room. "Regarded as the social heart of bath for more than two centuries, the Pump Room is a striking neo-classical salon where hot Spa water is drawn for drinking." It's also mentioned by Jane Austen in Persuasion and/or Northanger Abbey. The Spa water tasted like.. warm water, and made us feel sort of odd. The tea was better.

We did nottt go into the Roman Baths, as there were about a million tourists inside thanks to the long weekend. But we peered at them from the window of the Pump Room.

Cute bunting is EVERYWHERE for the Royal Wedding. I willlll buy some before I leave:

We went into a kitchen store to find champagne glasses for our picnic (which we did find, for 45p) and I found a GIANT wall of Le Creuset. It seems so cheap here? The big, big pots are £145/$228.

We went to the Jane Austen Centre, which is a few doors down the street from where the Austens lived. Sort of a rip off, but sort of one of those things you ought to do.

A framed letter from Jane to her sister, Cassandra:

I liked this plaque at the bottom of a painting. "Probably."

IT WAS SO WARM OUT, AGAIN. We bought our picnic supplies and walked along the river in search of a shady park to hide in.

Our picnic included: Marks & Spencer Brie (£1), aged cheddar (also £1), melon and prosciutto, humous, sugar peas, Buck's Fizz, and chocolate mini eggs.

Opening the Buck's.

Afterward we headed to the spa which was incredible and nothing like I expected! We sat in a rooftop pool surrounded by cathedral spires and old buildings just as the sun was setting. Then we went for sparkling lemon-ginger and elderflower juices, then to sit in steam rooms scented with lavender and eucalyptus. Sort of ridiculous(ly nice).

We took the train back to Bristol/Fishponds, then cuddled in bed sipping wine and eating Jaffa Cakes while watching Sense and Sensibility. Eeeee.