Secret Recipes: Stonehenge and Bath (23rd Oct 2007)

I organized a day tour to Stonehenge and Bath for some friends during the one week break last week. Managed to use my charm to get further discount. The day trip which includes transport and entrance fees were only 38.75 pounds; it was really worth it.... Enjoy the pictures below...

Bath

Bath is situated within the south west of England; situated on the steep sides of the valley of the RIver Avon. Bath is a museum to the Roman and Georgian periods of England's history. Look closely at how the 18th century architecture, Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge.

The Roman Baths Museum... the baths are still filled by the thermal spring waters that gush from the earth below. The water has cured many who was suffering from leprosy in the past.

History of Bath

The hot springs and the Roman bath house are a Celtic / Roman sacred place, dedicated to the Sullis and the goddess Minerva, in myth the sacred spring was discovered by King Bladud who was cured of leprosy by the healing waters and mud. Archaeologically there is no evidence for pre Roman structures on the site, but the area may have been revered by the ancient Britons.

The Legend of Bladud
Lud Hubibras (Bladud) was a British Prince in Celtic times. While at court the Prince contracted the dreaded Leprosy and was banished and disowned by his father. Before he made his way out of the kingdom his mother took him aside and gave him a golden ring. This was to be the key to his return if he could ever cure himself of the disease. Everywhere the Prince went he was shunned, he meeked a living as a swineherd until some of the herd also caught the disease.

To hide this from his employer, he fled across the river Avon (at a place now called Swineford), and into the land where the city of Bath now stands.He wandered the area until one day one of the pigs seemed to go crazy and rushed headlong into a black bog in the marshy ground. Bladud struggled to pull the pig from the bog and became covered in the foul smelling mud. When he had finally freed himself and the pig, he found that the pigs skin lesions had disappeared and where the mud had touched his bare skin he was also cured. He immersed himself in the warm mud and became fully cured of the disease. Finally Bladud returned to court where he was welcomed with open arms by his mother who recognised the ring she had given him so many years before. Bladud ruled wisely as King for many years and founded Bath and the temple of Aqua Sullis.

Some street performances outside the Bath museum....

Molested him... hee hee...

Aiyo.. where are you guys?? Couldn't find some of them...

My warrior.... haha.....

Lunch at Bath in the cafe.... had fisherman's platter... approx 9 pounds including a drink....

Stonehenge

Stonehenge consists of a series of large rocks which were arranged in circular format known as a henge (and where we get the name Stonehenge from). The first structure to be built at the site of Stonehenge was the circular ditch and outer bank around 3,000 BC. The first stones were brought here around 2,000 BC from the Preseli Mountains in the southwest of Wales, around 220 km (137 miles) from Stonehenge. THe outer circle was completed around 1,500 BC and consists of the largest stones in the monument. These stones weigh up to 50 tons each and it is estimated that at least 600 - 1,000 men were required just to move one of these stones.