Caerphilly, Cardiff, Bristol, & Bath! (Day 3)

Day 3 (2 Dec) started at Chepstow, a border town between Wales and England. We made a stop by Chepstow Castle just to take a look since it was not far from our B&B. We didn't wander in cos we were too early, and anyway, it wasn't on our hitlist.










We moved on to Tintern Abbey - a ruined abbey which was built in the 14th century. It did look impressive with it's high walls and gothic arches. In it's hey-day it must have been stunning!





















We didn't stay there long, and quickly drove on to Bristol where we went to check out the Clifton suspension bridge, reputedly one of Britain's most beautiful bridges. Apparently this bridge became a magnet for stunt artists and suicides. One story goes that in 1885, Sarah Ann Hedley jumped from the bridge after a lover's tiff, but her voluminous petticoats parachuted her safely to the bottom of the valley, and she lived to the ripe old age of 85!










Click click, snap snap. The photos were taken and off we went to Bath. We didn't really think there was anything else worth looking at in Bristol besides the bridge.

We kind of got lost on the way to Bath, and got there later than planned. Hungry, we aimed straight for a nearby pub that offered Sunday Roast as it's lunch special. That was something I've been wanting to try, especially cos I wanted to see what Yorkshire puddings taste like (these puddings are always served with Sunday roasts). The meal was alright, but perhaps cos I was hungry and eager to try the food, it tasted better than it otherwise would have ;) And Yorkshire puddings are essentially tasteless pieces of carbo. I guess it's just meant to soak up the gravy?

No they didn't drink all that on their own!










Having had our fill of beer/cider and food, we carried on with the sightseeing. There was a Christmas market around Bath Abbey, and we succumbed to the temptation to get waffles as dessert :) As it was drizzling a little, Jon was holding the umbrella while trying to take a bite at the waffle. Then suddenly a gust of wind blew, and the umbrella inverted! And I managed to get a shot of that moment! :) I like that photo very much :)
























Bath Abbey itself had a very interesting facade with angels climbing up and down ladders on both sides of the large glass window.














After munching down the waffles we filed into the Romans Baths Museum, afterall, how can you come to Bath and not see the baths? Very impressive the way the Romans set up the place, and channeled the waters around the complex.













We then went to Sally Lunn's to try the buns, cos that's what they're famous for. But it wasn't quite as spectaclar as we thought it would be. Quite dry and tasteless really. It was the brandy-butter spread and the variety of tea that was the real highlight for me.










Anyway, after that snack it was a speedy drive back to London for some well deserved rest :)

Here's a link to more photos that I took during the trip!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=r2ctt29.3x93359p&Uy=-2a0990&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=623779709536_731045101605