Since we had not booked any concerts at the Three Choirs Festival today, we took a day trip to the city of Bath. After yesterday’s opening service there have been six scheduled concerts plus a lecture, so I know we have missed out but sometimes you have got to give yourself a break! I must confess that I am getting a teeny bit anxious to be home again after so many days on the road.

Bath is a World Heritage city known for its hot springs and Roman baths. One sign I saw called Bath the “most elegant city in England.” But you must know me by now—I am pretty much focused on finding cathedrals and pipe organs! When we entered the Abbey at Bath, we heard an organist practicing and there was a view of the organ console on several video screens placed around the church. This afternoon’s evensong was cancelled to be replaced by an organ recital by Peter King, so I assume that was whom we heard practicing.

There was a lovely exhibition of calligraphy and needlework displayed around the side of the building and I tried to photograph some of them but unfortunately the glare limited me to only taking a few shots.

After the Abbey visit we really treated ourselves by having afternoon tea at The Pump Room, considered to be the most magnificent and most elegant restaurant in a city that considers itself to be “the most elegant in England,” according to one sign I saw. Having afternoon tea is considered the most quintessentially British custom and we were happy to indulge ourselves!