Last berth in Bath.

We were off before 0900 as we wanted to get to bath for lunchtime to make sure we had the best chance of a mooring.

Quite soon we were at Swineford Lock and spied the heron sitting at the weir waiting for his breakfast.

Just after Swineford there is a water tap and an elsan point. It is in the middle of nowhere with no road but has a pontoon with it. Looking at the map we could see that it is near the water works. Somebody had left their boat on the pontoon. We thought there was nobody aboard as there was no movements when we tied up. We cleaned up the area and we off again before 1000.

 Very soon we were at Saltford Lock. The hills behind made a nice back drop. The squarish tower isn't the remains of a church but used to be a brass mill.

After Kelston Lock there is a long straight and at the start of it a rowing club. There were plenty of people assembling but I hoped we had got ahead of most of them as you never know whether they have seen you or not. There were a couple of boats out and they rowed all the way for nearly two miles and under this bridge near Bath Marina.

 Weston Lock is on the outskirts of Bath. I like these steps in the lock. I suppose health and safety wouldn't like them as they will get muddy, but maybe a vertical ladder like in most locks also have their problems.

We headed into town and found that all moorings were full, or appeared so but if they had squashed up we would have been fine. As it happens we found a spot near to the Churchill Bridges. I had a quick walk up to the locks and down the Avon to Pulteney Weir and didn't see another better, so there we stayed. There appears to be no mooring down the Avon to the weir at the moment. We had a bite to eat and then set off to the town. It was very close by really and after a visit to the Tourist Office we made a plan. Bath is crammed with tourists and we felt weird. We realised it may well have been because, unlike Bristol, the streets are narrow etc and so give the impression of being hemmed in! Am I mildly agoraphobic?

 The Abbey in Bath is very light and airy due in no small part to the light coloured Bath Stone. This building dates from 1499. When we went round I was amazed at the number of memorials on the walls. It then dawned on us that people were coming to Bath to take the waters for their health. It seems it must have been a 'kill or cure' thing as many of them are remembered here despite not living here.

Helen had to have a look at Sally Lunn's Tea Shop. It states that this building is the oldest in bath we certainly didn't go in as it didn't appear a patch on Betty's in Harrogate, York, Northallerton etc. If you get there have a Fat Rascal. They are lovely. We popped in to the Garrick Head pub as we were a little stressed by the crowds (well that was my excuse anyway) and had a quick pint. I don't think we are in one of the cheaper areas of the country. I know where the Weatherspoon's is now.

We then walked up to the Circus which is a full circle of Georgian terraces. Not that easy to get a good photo of it though so we carried on up the Hill to the Royal Crescent. Despite only half a circus it is bigger. I think Helen';s photo above sums it up very well. Two liveried flunkyies greeting guest to the hotel.

 Half the Roay Crescent as just out of shot to the left is scaffolding which would ruin it a little.

In one of the squares, Queen's Gardens there was the Bath Boules Tournament. It seemed to be a social event in the main as the beer, Pimms and other beverages were flowing. The Bath folk at play, and not a flat cap in sight.

On the way back to the boat we looked for and found the Hop Pole which sells Bath Ales that I wanted to try. After that we stopped off at Sainsbury's to get a few bits and were quickly back at the boat. We will have a wander round the town later when hopefully the crowds have dissipated somewhat. We also have a couple of things booked for tomorrow.