Finally, a Bath

Avon, Bath, originally uploaded by Jonny Hanlon.

Phew! After many aborted attempts, I finally reached Bath on my bike. The ride was fantastic… 15 miles of mostly level ground from Bristol on the bike path that follows an old rail route. About an hour and a bit each way, through deciduous trees and alongside fields of onions. Unfortunately when I arrived in Bath it was raining so I didn’t stick around for too long, that will have to wait until next time.

Here is a shot of the Avon, which flows from through Bath, downstream to Bristol and then into the sea at (unsurprisingly) Avonmouth. Yep, its a bit murky, and yep, there were people swimming. But it was great to get out of the city and see some open space, which I have really been missing.

My little bout of homesickness seems to have subsided as I get to know the place better. There’s plenty happening and the work is more than interesting. Already my trip is half over but there are plenty of plans for the near future.

Eve and I are hiring a car next weekend and driving to Stonehenge for the summer solstice… one of the few occasions where the public are allowed inside the fence to have a bit of a party around a bunch of historically significant old rocks. Should be fun!

In August a bunch of us are heading to Wales, hiring a VW Kombi Camper and exploring Pembrokeshire to celebrate Eve and Helene’s 30th birthdays. Then back to Ireland to see the Waterford O’Hanlons, and then it’ll nearly be time to wrap things up and head home for the spring.

Summer has settled itself into a nice rhythm here, it has been sunny and warm for days and the forecast is good. The British summer is rather good when the sun is out, not too much wind, warm enough but not scorching, and with days that begin before 4am and don’t end until after 10pm.

I have been getting plenty of cycling miles under my belt. Each day a few minutes are shaved off the previous day’s time and the body and mind are feeling great for it. So my plans to return to NZ looking like I did when I was 18 are coming along nicely. I hope.

Trust you are all having a fantastic time…

Jonny

~ by jonnyhanlon on June 10, 2008.