Bath

Bath is quite simply the most refined city I have ever visited. Above is the Circus (Number 8 is Nicholas Cage's pied a terre) and the Royal Cresent, home to a £300+ a night hotel.

While Ben was off mountain biking in Wales for the day I wandered around the city soaking up the sights. The Mayor of Bath has volunteers who provide a free guided walking tour which was a brilliant way to see everything of importance. I need a week there to go and do everything I heard about, like a trip to the Thermae Spa and cream tea in the Pump Room (which would set me back £17!) I'd also need a day just to do the Jane Austen things as well, walking tour and museum.

My weekend was filled with lots of interior design inspiration and Bath is a fantastic example of Georgian architecture. There are numerous bylaws protecting the outer appearance of the buildings which has created a beautiful and historic city. I highly recommend a visit to Bath if you ever have the opportunity, I can't wait too go back one day.

Every time I travel back to Norwich from other parts of England it reminds me how much of a backwater Norfolk is. I love our county and its fine city but sometimes I crave more excitement and opportunities than it can offer. Ben blogged on a jazz bar we stumbled across and we've resolved to seek out more culture in Norwich - we know it's there somewhere!

Holidays

After going to Wales and getting the car we've been planning loads of things we want to do and places to go. Suddenly we have holiday plans for the next three years!

Italy is top of my list - I'd love to soak up some sun, stay in a Tuscan villa and see some culture and art. But this will have to wait until 2010.

For 2009 Ben fancies climbing Ben Nevis and I need to catch up with family (especially my ancient Grandpa), so Scotland it is. We'd like to experience some Celtic spirituality so I'm thinking a trip to Iona would be good.

Our Welsh holiday

Thought I'd blog about what we've been up to recently. Back in July we had a week off and went to Wales, our first road trip and camping trip together!



We drove to Brecon for the first few days and got close to nature at Priory Mill Farm where we camped. The silence was bliss - apart from the roar of the River Honddu a few metres from our tent! The Welsh name for Brecon is Aberhonddu - on the Honddu.



We made friends with the guy in the next tent who was on a fishing trip with his dog. He caught us a brown trout one night. We had a real campfire every night and toasted marshmallows. It was really nice to enjoy the peace and be away from the busyness of life.



We visited Brecon Cathedral and climbed Pen Y Fan -the tallest mountain in the Brecons:



We didn't take in any scenery because we were shrouded in mist bt the time we were on the ridge and couldn't see a single thing over the edge when we got to the summit! It was a nice gentle walk despite the horrid weather, only took about 4 hours to get up and down.


For the next few days we went to Cardiff to see brother-in-law and fiance in their new house. Ben turned 21 and we had a barbeque with our new extended family. We also had our first ever trip to IKEA which was AWESOME!

Tree people in Thetford Forrest

Vote for our fine city!

http://www.monopoly.co.uk/index.aspx

The makers of Monopoly are producing a UK board with 20 places on it, not based on price but on the passion of the people. Norwich was 19th last time I looked..

Earth from the Air

I stumbled across this exhibition outside the Forum today, which stretches down past City Hall as well. Our earth is so impressve and beautiful. Well worth a visit I think, it's there until 29 April.