A week ago I was in England for a funerary visit (a very jolly affair, meeting up family members) but despite a cold (mine) and the cold (it was freezing over there!) I did do a few fun things.
F
irst a visit to the Ashmolean museum in Oxford, which was wonderful. Here I am with my daughter and one of two pics I took before my battery died (as usual).
Exactly a week ago I was snuffling my way around Bath in very frigid temperatures–don’t let that blue sky fool you. We visited the Roman Baths and Pump Room and particularly enjoyed the warm, steamy inside parts of the tour.
You can buy a glass of disgusting Bath water for 50p but I think it just isn’t the same when it’s not drawn from water where people with various unpleasant ailments are bathing. We didn’t have afternoon tea at the Pump Room but we did have a Sally Lunn bun with lemon curd which we inhaled without even thinking of a photo opp.
Out into the cold again for a look at the Circus and Royal Crescent. Brrr.
At this point we were so cold and our train on which we had supercheap (as cheap as rail travel gets there) reservations was a long way off, so we went to see a movie, The Artist, which I highly recommend.
We also had time to drop in to William Herschel’s house, one of my favorite places in Bath. I have a soft spot for Herschel, who was a brilliant wacko (he thought people lived on the moon) and his house is beautifully restored.
He started his career as a musician and several of his instruments, including a serpent, are on display as well as artefacts relating to his career as an astronomer.
Here’s a gown belonging to his sister Caroline, a brilliant astronomer (a better one, according to the museum staff, than her more famous brother). She must have been tiny!
And I have to show you this pic of another English eccentric, my brother demonstrating his marmalade making exploits–yes, that’s a chair upended on the kitchen counter to drain the pulp. It’s Seville orange season, a busy time of year in England.
Have you visited any of these places? Ever made marmalade?
I made marmalade years ago, and nasty stuff it was. Had to pitch the whole glue-y lot out.
I have been to Bath twice and waved as we drove by on the way to Wales last spring. As I’ve never set a book there, it may be time to revisit. 🙂
It sounds like you had a lovely time, cold and weather and funeral withstanding. Funerals can be loving and comforting affairs, as is their intent.
I’ve been to Bath once and loved it. Would love to go again and see the Herschel house. And have a Sally Lunn bun!
I hope your brother’s marmalade turned out delicious.
I’ve been to Bath and Oxford and loved both. Have never made marmalade, however. Next time I buy some at the store I’ll wonder if a lawn chair was involved in the process.
It’s not a lawn chair, Susan, tho it does look rather like one. It’s a teatowel tied to the legs of an upside down chair! Underneath is one of those lovely English pottery mixing bowls. His marmalade is pretty good tho I don’t like marmalade much, but I did enjoy his quince jam.
MMM, marmalade and toast.
Looks like you had a lovely, heartwarming if not toe-warming, visit!
I’m so happy you had a good time, Janet, despite the funeral and icky weather. Love the picture of you and your beautiful daughter.
Never have I made marmalade, though I very much love it. Always reminds me of Peter Faulk in Columbo. 🙂
I’m glad it all went well. What you said about the funeral reminds me of my grandmother’s–lots of stupid old family jokes and pigging out on stick-to-the-ribs Lithuanian food. One could feel her there, urging everyone to take seconds.
I’ve been to Bath twice and loved each visit. Adore marmalade, even the basic store-bought stuff, though I’d love to try home-made.
I love Bath!! And I wanna learn to make marmalade 🙂
What a great visit. One day I’ll get there. Will have to add the Ashmolean Museum and the Herschel House to my list of places to see.
I haven’t mad marmalade, but have made jellies and jams. I have a recipe for grape conserve that is really good – concord grapes, raisins, and walnuts. Haven’t made it in a few years. Will have to fix that next fall. I love british marmalade. It is not as sweet as that made here in the States.
Had to smile at the chair. We did something similar when making wine one year. Tied the cheesecloth to the chair legs. It serves the purpose, so why not.
Sorry for the reason for your trip. Hope you are feeling better.