Today I had no classes, mid-week what a novelty!  So I played tourist again, visiting the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.

The city's namesake was very impressive.  People went there to socialise, do business, worship... and I mustn't forget, clean themselves.  The Romans built the complex to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva, and this included a temple.  It appeared to be a real hub of activity in its day.  One thing people did was inscribe curses on bits of pewter for goods stolen (such as gloves), and throw them in the waters in the hope that Sulis Minerva would take righteous revenge.  Numerous other objects, such as coins and bowls, were given as gifts to the goddess.  It was simply mind boggling to think I walked the same paths that people almost 2000 years ago walked.

Bath Abbey, although younger, was no less impressive.  It has been a work over centuries and tells the stories of many lives.  All the lower walls and some of the floor, are covered in dedications to people to are buried beneath the church floors.  Once again, it is amazing to glimpse parts of the lives of people who lived so long ago.  I also find what was achieved hundreds of years ago incredible - the Abbey is a real feat of architecture and engineering.  I can't help feeling that the skyscrapers of today have little on the beauty of the churches and cathedrals built hundreds of years ago to glorify God.

The Great Bath, where all the real business took place.

These fellows kept a wary eye.

This was how they created 'hot rooms' (that is hotter rooms).  The floor rested on the stacks and a furnace heated the floor.  The floor got so hot that you had to wear shoes.

I took some of the Bath waters.  It wasn't the five litres that the doctors of the 19th Century would prescribe, but it was plenty for my taste buds!  (and no this was not from the green murk shown above)

The view from the top of Bath Abbey was breathtaking.

Of course, so was the vaulted ceiling.

This is the East window, it depicts 56 scenes from the life of Jesus.

I also found the first coffee shop to sell long blacks.  Not quite like home, but its the closest I've had.