Rusty Tub Ring

No one bathes in these historic baths, but the water still flows. And in an adjoining restaurant, anyone can stop by and take a free glass of the water. It is filled, of course, with minerals and is supposedly healthy. It tasted a bit iron-like, nearly rusty, to me. But I had seen the walls you see here and that taste was likely in my mind.

After the Romans left and the baths fell into disrepair, the old Roman aqueducts and pipes still carried the water into, through, and out of the old abandoned building. But over several centuries, the water would become plugged up and eventually backed up as high as you see it on the wall. It was discussed whether the walls should be cleaned, but the decision was that this is part of history as well. I certainly agree with the decision.

Next post will visit Westminster Abbey, just five minutes' walk from the Jolly Hotel St. Eames, a wonderful home in London, for our last stop in Britain. Meanwhile, a song to share. Roger Miller, the King of the Road, who also wrote classics like Dang Me and Chug-A-Lug, had a minor hit in 1965 that ran through my mind much of the week in the UK. Catchy, isn't it, even without the tune and the beat?

ENGLAND SWINGS

England swings like a pendulum do,

Bobbies on bicycles two by two,

Westminster Abbey, the Tower of Big Ben,

The rosy red cheeks of the little children.

Now if you huff and puff

And you finally save enough

Money if you take your family

On a trip across the sea

Take a tip

Before you take a trip

Let me tell you where to go,

Go to England, Oh,

England swings like a pendulum do,

Bobbies on bicycles two by two,

Westminster Abbey, the Tower of Big Ben,

The rosy red cheeks of the little children.