Bath Time

Check out the bald, middle-aged thong dudes with sparklers between their buttcheeks! This was the first sight we came upon entering Bath--it pretty much knocked Mason out of his adolescent brooding and put him in a better mood. Nothing says wholesome family entertainment on the Sabbath like these guys, yes?

The abbey was lovely but we missed seeing the interior since it was only open a short while during our afternoon there. Instead we enjoyed a riverside picnic with our traveling companions, the Crane family. They are new to the area as well, and Mike just so happens to work for Cisco, too.

The Roman baths were cool. It's neat to be in this quintessential English town that just so happens to have ancient ruins in its centre. Or as my friend, Holly correctly pointed out, "You mean that the ruins were there first and the city was built around it?" Yes, my thoughts exactly :) Emma was a little tired--no strollers allowed--but it was an informative and interesting tour. Those Romans were pretty crafty for their day.

Mike & Holly Crane (7 months pregnant) with Mark and I (not pregnant but looking like I am!)

Cute Crane & Hamberlin kids

Stonehenge & Longleat

Way past due, this post! I haven't been able to catch up lately after returning from our weekend in the Bath area, but I'm getting there. We had the opportunity to travel to Stonehenge and to Longleat. Everyone knows the former, and it was cool to finally see it and mark it off the list of things to do. Nico was thrilled to listen to his audioguide and learn all about the background of this landmark--I love that kid. He's a little history nerd after my heart!

Our next stop was Longleat. Mark met up with us after flying in from Barcelona for work, so it was nice to be reunited. We also enjoyed the day with the Crane Family, a new family in the area like us, who coincidentally are with Cisco, too (and LDS). They have four kids around our children's ages and another on the way. Longleat is a safari park, chateau, and play area owned by the Marquis of Bath and his family. Just one of the perks of nobility. The safari was a drive through park, and the kids loved the monkeys jumping on cars and eating random debris. It was cool to see so many animals up close, including camels and rhinoceros. Later we explored the play area that had a huge hedge maze, a little boat ride with sea lions and a silverback guerrilla, and the lovely castle. Mark and Mike accompanied the kids to the playground while Holly and I took the more relaxing home tour. I then realized that after living all that time in France and seeing a gazilllion chateaux, I had never been inside one without my children. No, "don't touch that," or holding a screaming or wiggly child, no running past countless historical treasures while catching an escape artist. I could actually read the information posted and not rush through the tour. This realization almost brought tears to my eyes! Just the small pleasures in life, right? with dinner at a local pub (that initially refused our party of 12). I guess if we had been three men looking for some strong drink we would have been welcomed with open arms. It was, however, a wonderful meal with wonderful friends.