Day Trip to Bath

Here's Sam (starting off as he means to continue), on the delayed 10.28 from Reading. Usual thing about a broken down train.  This government really needs to see to the infrastructure.  Despite all this I am calm!  We met up with T's very nice cronie from east of the Royal Country at Reading and we cycled down to the station mid morning in pouring rain.  Who cares!  Have waterproofs, will travel.  

On arrival, the CAMRA crowd do their thing while I catch up with my lovely ex Medical Director.  We have an update on family matters and then solve the NHS's problems for it.  We both want all medics salaried and no private work.  M wants an insurance system.  I want to increase taxation (and get rid of Trident of course)  This important summit takes place at the wonderful Thoughtful Bakery.  

https://twitter.com/thoughtfulbread

http://www.thethoughtfulbreadcompany.com/

Lovely pea soup then mango tart with peppermint tea.  Wish I had bought some bread!  

Next we have a wander in the Holburne Gallery.  I make a note to return to see the Bruegel exhibition before June. The museum is housed in a beautiful old Georgian house set by the canal.  I am very glad Sir William bequeathed his collection to the people of Bath.  Read about the art works in the permanent collection  here

Read about the Bruegel exhibition here

A short walk along the Kennet and Avon (which I have walked in it's entirety in the not too distant past)  brings us to M's. 

M lives in the newest of the Georgian terraces (cc1790) in a house which was most recently a school.  He converted it all himself being a bit of a construction whizz kid.

After a nice cup of tea and putting the final touchs to our plans for the UK and the NHS we head off to The Old Green Tree, which is cosy and warm.  My pint of Pitchfork is amazing!  The Cronies stream in and join us in due course.  Read about this brilliant pub here 

We get the best service I have ever known in a JD Wetherspoon's at The King of Wessex.  The waiter is very attentive and helpful.  He even wipes the table; a job I usually do myself in Spoons.  The Bath Gem is good too but the food, which is usually fine, is indeed, true to C's prediction, rather disgusting!  GWR does not let us down for our return journey and we make our connection at Westbury.  

A slow wet cycle up the hill and we are greeting by Hermes the rabbit who runs around making his 'happy' noise when we finally get home at 10pm.  A really great day.