Out and about

Personally sad to see yet another – what l would call –  fast food outlet taking over the one retail space – in the re-modelled Saw Close – that had remained unlet following its re-development.

While it’s good to see it finally occupied – I had such high hopes for that historic space in front of the New Theatre Royal. Bike hoops, seats, steps and coloured lights don’t do it for me.

Meanwhile, lots of activity around the edges of Queen Square where contractors are laying new ducting.

Bath doesn’t have much in the way of soil under many of its pavements before you hit the roofs of the thousands of cellars that inhabit the city’s subterranean world.

This will enable utilities to more easily lay new cables and pipes when it comes to maintenance or repairs.

Tempted to say don’t let the grass grow under your feet when it comes to the giant brass symbol which mark’s Bath’s World Heritage status at the side entrance to the Roman Baths.

While the cobbles could do with a general re-setting – the symbol is sprouting its own lawn!

Popped into the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution – while l was in Queen Square yesterday – to catch Matt the curator helping set up the next FREE exhibition in this gem of a building.

This exhibition – which opened today (Wednesday, January 9th) is on until March 2nd – and is called ‘Extraordinary Women in Bath.’ It reveals the many and varied stories and achievements of women who have visited and lived and worked in the city over two millennia.

From writers, poets and artists to queens, doctors, radicals, athletes and intellectuals, the exhibition aims to restore these women to their rightful place in Bath’s history.

More information via https://www.brlsi.org/events-proceedings/events/exhibition-extraordinary-women-bath

Now Network Rail and B&NES Parks Department have collectively cleared the overgrowth from beside the railway track through Sydney Gardens, maybe either body might give some consideration to dealing with the daubings that can now plainly be seen at the entrance to the park’s stone bridges across the lines.

Hopefully, now people can’t lurk in the bushes, the graffiti daubers can’t desecrate these historic structures quite so easily.

Finally – they may be flying rats to some – but l had to smile at the pigeons who had created their own city spa on the edge of Westgate Street.

A dip in the pavement has collected enough rainwater to gives these birds a bath!