Visiting Bath

Yes, it's true........ I have visited Bath, home of Miss Jane Austin from 1801 to 1805, and one of the most beautiful, artistic, ethereal cities in the world.  Stuart and I and Saraya (then 2) and Elijah (then 3 months- agh! we were mad!) moved over to the UK back in 2002 with the idea of living there for 2 years.  Unfortunately work didn't quite go the way we'd planned for Stuart.. it's a long sad story, but the short version is that we wound up doing a 2-week trip in a campervan around England, North Wales and Southern Scotland before coming home.  All up we were away for 6 weeks.  

It was unbelievable.   The history, the beauty, the majesty of the places we visited will always remain with us, and we long to go back once our children are grown- just the two of us!

I thought I'd share these pictures of our time in Bath.  I hope you enjoy them!

..... as referred to in many of Miss Jane's novels

As we were travelling we couldn't stay for this- it would have been wonderful!

I bought a tea cosy at the Jane Austin centre, just from the souvenier shop in the foyer- we couldn't afford to actually go into the centre; we had a very tight budget and had to pick and choose what we did!  We didn't even go into the Roman Baths. :)  I never did quite get over that! I mean, who goes to Bath and doesn't see the Baths????!

We did take a tour bus around Bath and learned some amazing facts about all sorts of people who had lived and visited there throughout history...... and even drove down one of the gorgeous lamp-post lined streets where apparently the film "Vanity Fair" was made in the '90s - I still need to see that movie!  

Fanny Price

"Fanny Price was at this time just ten years old, and though there might not be much in her first appearance to captivate, there was, at least, nothing to disgust her relations.  She was small of her age, with no glow of complexion, nor any other striking beauty; exceedingly timid and shy, and shrinking from notice; but her air, though awkward, was not vulgar, her voice was sweet, and when she spoke her countenance was pretty."

Mansfield Park, Chapter II

An essay

As part of the fun Kelly has set her readers an essay task (such a great idea! it worked to break up the monotony of my day...) - to write a piece of our day in Austin-style.  One entry will be randomly picked and a prize sent out!

I decided to do mine in letter format, on paper, and will actually send this to my friend Helen who is currently without internet and missing "blogland" very much. :)  So here goes!

House of Dreams

Tuesday, 23rd February, 2009

My dear Helen,

It is with longing that I write to you this day, for so many weeks have passed since I have seen your smiling face.  How are you faring up in seaside Hervey Bay?  I expect those bonny children of yours are keeping you busy, night and day.  How I would love to come and visit with you soon!  I do hope our health improves as we come in to March.  I am tiring of the various sicknesses ailing us of late.

My throat is aching again today, and so I made the *proper* decision to have a quiet day at home. Elijah is happy- you know my boy, always content to potter at home. 

Those pestersome weevels have moved in again, set to infest and munch their way through our pantry goods.  So today I have taken it upon myself to attack with force, and rid my kitchen of their troublesome presence!  It has been a day hence of sorting and cleaning, and I must say I have rather enjoyed the process. We shall finish the task tomorrow.

This afternoon however, I have had to endure the unpleasant experience of tooth extraction.  Despite my very good dentist's best efforts, I feel somewhat uncomfortable tonight as my body struggles with the sensations in throat and mouth.  I am trusting young William will sleep well again tonight, and allow his Mother some much-needed rest.

Well, my dear, I must away.

With much love and adoration,

Saminda.

Done in haste, but enjoyed!!  Hope you did too.  :)

 

It's Jane Austin week!

Kelly over at The Barefoot Mama is hosting........................

....................... this week!!

If you are a fan of Jane Austin's novels, want to learn more, or have never read one but would consider doing so (on my recommendation, do it, do it!), visit Kelly's blog to join in the festivities!! And pick up one of Jane's treasured novels if you can!  I'll be doing a few more Jane-related posts this week too.  

I am an Austin fan, though don't know if I could be classed as a "Janeite", quite yet.  I absolutely adore Pride and Prejudice, and there are days when I seriously think I was born in the wrong era. :)  I know my Mother's always thought so.  I watched Mansfield Park recently and really enjoyed it, but have never read it.  This week, amid dishwashing, tablescrubbing, laundryfolding, storyreading, bottomwiping and groceryshopping..... I am taking a trip to Mansfield Park on paper.  My Mum gave me a pile of old books a few months back, and one of them was Mansfield Park.  It's over 100 years old and falling apart, and I have a much newer version on my bookcase..... BUT, I want to be truly transported this week!  I shall finger those old pages with care, and enjoy being lifted from my daily grind into the glorious realm of Regency England.