Bath Again | Travel
This post is a continuation from this London trip. I had been excited to visit London but it did not hold a candle to how excited I was to see Bath, my home-away-from-home city and the first place I lived on my own. It's such a charming city and I fell absolutely in love with it while I lived there.
Waking up early Saturday morning, we ate breakfast at our B&B before heading to Paddington station to jump on a train to Bath. We had pre-booked tickets that we just needed to pick up at the station but turns out we had paid for them with another credit card that we did not bring. It's apparently impossible to pick up your tickets without it, which resulted in us having to buy the tickets again! *face palm*
While I lived in England I had picked up tickets at a station before and knew I used my card, so I have no clue why it we used a different card to pay. I was 95% sure we did use my card but clearly, I was proven wrong. Let that be a lesson for next time.
We jumped on an earlier train as we had arrived with plenty time to spare and it was jam-packed with people. By some miracle, we managed to find two seats that were technically reserved (we had originally booked seat but alas no bloody sight of the original tickets) and we arrived in Bath after an hour and a half.
I had missed Bath more than I realised and it was so nostalgic to walk on the streets I had walked down causally so many times. You don't always remember to appreciate the beauty around you when it's your everyday life but somehow I always managed to remember it about Bath. To be fair, it's quite picturesque and I knew my time was limited.
We eventually found our way to our Hotel Francis, located in Queen's Square, after taking alternative routes to avoid walking with our suitcases down the main street of Christmas Market, which was already buzzing with life. I was a bit scared I wouldn't be able to locate it just by memories of the layout of the city but I actually found it without any hiccups!
I already ranted a bit about how I adored all the Christmas huts in my post from last year but I have to say it again. They are so cute and adorable. I had never actually been in town on a weekend of the Chirstmas Market before and as could be expected there was people everywhere. Surprisingly, I didn't feel anxious or off at all. Just moving around in masses of people wasn't fun but I wasn't feeling trapped or anything.
One thing you have to do in England, and Bath specifically, is do an afternoon tea. I'm pretty sure it's mandatory. Bath Bun is quite famous and thought the different places around Bath has different traditions and ways of making them (I've tasted several different ones - for research). We managed to find a table at The Bath Bun, crammed into the corner but it was cosy and nice to be back and enjoy some delicious tea and sit amongst the pretty Christmas decorations.
I actually didn't get the bun (above photos are of Mum's) this time but rather a delicious broccoli cheese thing but I seem to have forgotten to take a photo of that one. I must have been too excited to eat it.
We strolled around the Market for a little while younger and started to indulge in our shopping. I don't usually like shopping but there's something about the cute huts that makes me change my mind a bit. I kept just walking around looking at all the places and reminiscing.
We headed back to the hotel briefly to recharge before going out to see Bath when dusk had fallen and the Christmas lights are their prettiest. I was also pretty excited to finally be able to use the bath bombs I had carried around for two days. I started with Shoot For The Stars, which I had initially been drawn to by its pretty blue colour.
When I got out of the bath, I realised something that I found utterly amazing. I was probably overreacting a bit but honestly I still think it's cool. There was a whole square of the wall to wall mirror that didn't fog up. I don't know how it's possible but that's so clever and also ensures people aren't wiping their hands across the mirror to clear it.
After I had pampered and finished off with putting on red nail polish and a red lip, we headed out into Bath for the evening. Bath is so goddamn pretty all the time but there's something in the atmosphere when the sun goes down but there's still lights and people everywhere. It's like the city is always there, awake and looking after you and I think that might be why I never felt unsafe walking around on my own.
I finally got my Costa hot chocolate and I was one happy girl. I'm serious about wanting them to branch out to Copenhagen, however unlikely it unfortunately is. I just love them so damn much and it sent me right down memory lane as I walked around on my own at the Christmas Market last December, Costa in hand and smile on my face as I was about to leave Bath for the first time since I had arrived.
Once I got out of the bath, Mum surprised me as she returned with a Costa mint hot chocolate. I had never tried the mint before but surprisingly I liked it a lot. We packed our bags and headed down to check out and while walking down the hallway we stumbled upon this cute vacuum. I'm not sure it's appropriate to almost gasp and rush to photograph a vacuum but it's the same kind we had in my accommodation and it does look utterly adorable.
It's so odd that it's become so popular in Britain but also really cool. Hygge as a concept has never really been translatable and now they've just right out accepted it, original name and all. It makes me proud to be a Dane to be honest. After having sat at the Costa's in WHSmith for a while, eating lunch and drinking more hot chocolate, we headed out to a final walk around in Bath and this time I went a bit photography crazy, enjoy a sample of the best below.
Waking up early Saturday morning, we ate breakfast at our B&B before heading to Paddington station to jump on a train to Bath. We had pre-booked tickets that we just needed to pick up at the station but turns out we had paid for them with another credit card that we did not bring. It's apparently impossible to pick up your tickets without it, which resulted in us having to buy the tickets again! *face palm*
While I lived in England I had picked up tickets at a station before and knew I used my card, so I have no clue why it we used a different card to pay. I was 95% sure we did use my card but clearly, I was proven wrong. Let that be a lesson for next time.
We jumped on an earlier train as we had arrived with plenty time to spare and it was jam-packed with people. By some miracle, we managed to find two seats that were technically reserved (we had originally booked seat but alas no bloody sight of the original tickets) and we arrived in Bath after an hour and a half.
I had missed Bath more than I realised and it was so nostalgic to walk on the streets I had walked down causally so many times. You don't always remember to appreciate the beauty around you when it's your everyday life but somehow I always managed to remember it about Bath. To be fair, it's quite picturesque and I knew my time was limited.
We eventually found our way to our Hotel Francis, located in Queen's Square, after taking alternative routes to avoid walking with our suitcases down the main street of Christmas Market, which was already buzzing with life. I was a bit scared I wouldn't be able to locate it just by memories of the layout of the city but I actually found it without any hiccups!
Our hotel was so damn great and I loved it very much. It was expensive and we had originally booked at the Holiday Inn, which was located just outside the centre but it was so much easier being smack down in the centre of town and thanks to Dad for rebooking our tickets as a treat. We handed off our bags (we were too early for the room again) and ventured back to the Christmas Market and I was so excited for Mum to get to experience it.
I already ranted a bit about how I adored all the Christmas huts in my post from last year but I have to say it again. They are so cute and adorable. I had never actually been in town on a weekend of the Chirstmas Market before and as could be expected there was people everywhere. Surprisingly, I didn't feel anxious or off at all. Just moving around in masses of people wasn't fun but I wasn't feeling trapped or anything.
One thing you have to do in England, and Bath specifically, is do an afternoon tea. I'm pretty sure it's mandatory. Bath Bun is quite famous and thought the different places around Bath has different traditions and ways of making them (I've tasted several different ones - for research). We managed to find a table at The Bath Bun, crammed into the corner but it was cosy and nice to be back and enjoy some delicious tea and sit amongst the pretty Christmas decorations.
I actually didn't get the bun (above photos are of Mum's) this time but rather a delicious broccoli cheese thing but I seem to have forgotten to take a photo of that one. I must have been too excited to eat it.
If you look closely, you can spot me in the golden bauble
We headed back to the hotel briefly to recharge before going out to see Bath when dusk had fallen and the Christmas lights are their prettiest. I was also pretty excited to finally be able to use the bath bombs I had carried around for two days. I started with Shoot For The Stars, which I had initially been drawn to by its pretty blue colour.
I missed being able to bathe. It's a luxury and we don't really have the same bath tradition as Brits, as most Dane's prefers to shower but there's something relaxing about just floating around in a sweetly scented bath and letting the warm water undo your tension.
When I got out of the bath, I realised something that I found utterly amazing. I was probably overreacting a bit but honestly I still think it's cool. There was a whole square of the wall to wall mirror that didn't fog up. I don't know how it's possible but that's so clever and also ensures people aren't wiping their hands across the mirror to clear it.
After I had pampered and finished off with putting on red nail polish and a red lip, we headed out into Bath for the evening. Bath is so goddamn pretty all the time but there's something in the atmosphere when the sun goes down but there's still lights and people everywhere. It's like the city is always there, awake and looking after you and I think that might be why I never felt unsafe walking around on my own.
I finally got my Costa hot chocolate and I was one happy girl. I'm serious about wanting them to branch out to Copenhagen, however unlikely it unfortunately is. I just love them so damn much and it sent me right down memory lane as I walked around on my own at the Christmas Market last December, Costa in hand and smile on my face as I was about to leave Bath for the first time since I had arrived.
We did some more shopping, including at the shop displayed above where Mum bought Henry the Hippo who now companies Fluffy the Dog, which I bought last year. You can just make out his kind on the right of the photo. He's so damn soft and though he's only been microwaved a handful of times, he's still a permanent cuddle buddy for anyone chilling in the living room. Of course, we had to go to a pub and choice fell on Westgate Pub (my old local one) though it was so busy I was ready to head out. However, Mum managed to find a table by the door.
I got a mojito (not very British - I know!) and mac & cheese and garlic bread while Mum ordered a giant hot dog she somehow almost made it through. With happy bellies we headed back home to our hotel room. The following morning, we took it chill and I got the opportunity to use my second bath bomb Error 404, which supports #KeepItOn and the fight against internet shutdown.
Once I got out of the bath, Mum surprised me as she returned with a Costa mint hot chocolate. I had never tried the mint before but surprisingly I liked it a lot. We packed our bags and headed down to check out and while walking down the hallway we stumbled upon this cute vacuum. I'm not sure it's appropriate to almost gasp and rush to photograph a vacuum but it's the same kind we had in my accommodation and it does look utterly adorable.
We stored out luggage with the hotel as we didn't have to catch our bus to Heathrow before 3 PM and headed out for a last look at the city. It was calmer than yesterday and more like the everyday Bath I remembered. We took refuge in WHSmith after shopping around and buying loads of book (I buy so many books but I never have time to read them, I really need to do something about that). Once we made it to the first floor we were greeted by a whole stand dedicated to Hygge - our custom.
It's so odd that it's become so popular in Britain but also really cool. Hygge as a concept has never really been translatable and now they've just right out accepted it, original name and all. It makes me proud to be a Dane to be honest. After having sat at the Costa's in WHSmith for a while, eating lunch and drinking more hot chocolate, we headed out to a final walk around in Bath and this time I went a bit photography crazy, enjoy a sample of the best below.
It felt a bit bittersweet to head back to our hotel and pick up our luggage to the final walk across Bath. We were only there for just over 24 hours and though we got to spend loads of time walking around the city and relaxing it felt like the whole thing had passed in the blink of an eye. I already miss it.
Saying goodbye to the gorgeous city was almost harder this time because our time was so brief and I don't know when I'll see it again. I'm sure I will do it at some point though. It's a bit funny that the last photo of this post looks almost like one I took just before leaving in January. It's the same building and almost the same light. I guess that's my goodbye photo.
We hopped on the National Express and it drove us to Heathrow where we ate dinner at a pub before jumping on our plane and arriving home around midnight when Dad came and picked us up. It was a very eventful four days and I spent a whole day rejuvenating afterwards. It was such a damn good trip and I want to thank Mum for scheduling and paying for it. Thank you so much, Mum. It was lovely to travel with you.
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