Saturday 29^th June 2019

We again started the day with a walk to Green Park Station where there was a Farmers Market being held. We bought quite a bit of meat and fish and had a huge full English in one of the cafes. We called into Sainsbury’s for some water. We are really having to conserve our supplies. A 5ltr bottle costs £1.10, compared to a ½ltr bottle that can cost anything from £1 and we have seen sold from a street trader in the city for £1.80.

We dropped the dog off at the boat again and once more went off exploring beyond the Abbey. Pulteney Bridge, crossing the river, is very quaint with boutique shops along its length and the ovoid shaped weir below is picturesque.

We called into the Guildhall Market with lots of quirky stalls. There is an 18^th century pillar, or “nail” in the market. Business transactions and payments took place on and around this pillar and gave origin to the phrase “paying on the nail”.

     

Pultney Bridge and Weir

Guildhall Market ‘Nail’

Parade Gardens

There are numerous green areas and parks throughout Bath. The Parade Gardens beside the river across from the Abbey are very well presented, but it costs £2 to enter. We meandered around the centre, Bath is a gorgeous place, and called into M&S for a swimsuit for Brenda.

On the way back to the boat we searched for locations mentioned in my family history. A branch of my family originated from Somerset and there were links in Bath, an 1872 marriage and an address on the certificate. However, ze Germans visited Bath in 1941 and 1942 and destroyed large parts of the city in the Baedeker Raids. These series of raids were held in retaliation for the RAF destruction of Rostock and Lubeck, and targeted cultural centres rather than industrial or military. Unfortunately, the church of St. James was bombed and the ruin demolished in 1957 and the address of Somerset Street was levelled. Today Somerset Street consists of office blocks and a car park. However, in Victorian times, the whole area consisted of narrow alleyways and numerous ale and gin houses. It was a den of vice, crime-ridden and a centre of prostitution. So much for my thoughts of a tranquil Somerset family connection.

We returned to the boat with Harvey definitely flagging and sat in the front cratch. It was a roasting hot afternoon with no breeze. It was lovely watching people enjoying the river, from regular body boarding classes passing by and the trip boats, carrying a lot of noisy hen parties.

In the midst of all this activity, we had to witness our “permanent moorer” neighbour standing on the back of his boat, in full view, pissing into the river.    

We had a lovely dinner, courtesy of the market. Prawns and samphire, followed by Sea Bream and salad.

Weather: very hot (31˚) and sunny.