Free Writing In Bath

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Bath the city, not in my bathroom….although, that’s not a bad idea lol 😉

I was up at 5am yesterday morning, sitting in the grounds of the hotel with my cup of tea by 5.15, and of course, with my notepad.

I was sat on a bench with this pond in front of me:

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And with this view to my left:

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A perfect setting for some free writing 🙂

My fingers are numb from the cold, but the ducks don’t seem to mind. Preening themselves on a rock in the middle of the pond. The only sounds are the cascading water from the fountain and the seagulls, calling to each other high above the tree’s. I’m surrounded by sandy Bath stone, drawn back in time to Jane Austen’s Georgian elegance. The trees towering over my head envelope me in an enchanted forest and remind me of just how insignificant I am. I’ve been coming here, on and off, for 17 years now, but i am such a small blip on this historical city. Nothing really changes, apart from the people, the constant stream of tourists. The stone facades weather and age, just like the people’s faces.

As you get older, birthdays inevitably bring with them a sense of loss. The idea that we’ve wasted years, thrown away chances and allowed ourselves to be pushed and pulled in directions we didn’t want to go. The hopes and dreams of childhood are long gone and the realisation of an ordinary life are what’s left. Most of us, just sit by our pond, like the ducks, with no attempt to make any impact on the world around us. Perhaps I don’t want to be a duck any more, not even one that lives in such beautiful surroundings.

Ooooo, that was a bit melancholy lol. Actually, I wasn’t in a melancholy mood, but I did continue this piece of writing further. It turned into the start of a story about a woman who walked out of her home on the eve of her 49th birthday. I haven’t got a clue why, or where she is going….yet 😉

Bath is my favourite city outside of London. I love the history of it, the Georgian elegance, and so did Jane Austen, who set 2 of her books there. I like the idea of writing a novel set in a place I love. And of course, you’d have to spend a lot of time there for research 😉 So whats your favourite city and why?

35 thoughts on “Free Writing In Bath”

  1. Wow, loved this post! I can’t wait to hear why she left….and where she is going.
    Bath is very very beautiful. My favourite thing about England is the history – no matter where you are, whatever you’re looking at has been there centuries before you. My sister in laws house was over 500 years old. Older than Australia!!!

    My favourite city is Paris. I can’t pinpoint exactly why but some of the reasons are the romanticism attached to it, the beauty, history. The language – I love French and one of the things on my bucket list is to learn it fluently. I love the French people, I’ve known a few and we have always had a really good sympatico. And (yes, it’s a cliche) but the Eiffel Tower. I’m so so happy I’ve been there. 🙂 I think Hemingway said once that when you live in Paris and then you leave, it always stays with you. He was right about that 🙂

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  5. I love Bath. One of my favorite pictures of myself (which is saying a lot, because there aren’t many) is of me hugging one of those big trees. 🙂

    You wrote a beautiful piece! 🙂

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  6. My favorite has to be Venice. You see pictures of places and when you get there you’re disappointed – not with Venice. It’s just like the pictures! It is really sinking into the lagoon – I reckon it’s the weight of history. [cliche for the day!] Imagination runs riot in Venice. It’s easy to ‘see’ Othello striding through St Mark’s Square or to ‘see’ the people behind the Carnival masks.

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  7. I don’t want to sound cliche, but I loved New York City. It is so alive, fresh, yet full of history. I also loved San Juan, PR. It is so colorful, also.

    Beautiful writing and pictures, especially the one of the pond!

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  8. Lovely post could really feel the atmosphere.

    My favourite city is also New York, it is amazing. I arrived on QM2 which is my favourite ship – does that count to? Mind you going from the calm and grace of QM2 to the hussle and bustle of New York was slightly challenging!

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  9. I gotta say, that’s a perfect writing location! I’m jealous. And yeah…the melancholy reflection just reminds me how quickly the big 3-0 is coming up for me.

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  12. Wonderful post, Vikki and Bath looks divine. One of my favorite places? Nantucket — it has a magical ambiance to it, as obviously Bath does for you. Thanks for sharing. :).

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  13. thanks for the comment on my blog. I’d love to read your headhopping. Oh, I’ve been to Bath, yes gorgeous and your write was perfect for it. One of my fav cities is Ottawa. A little bit of everythign but don’t go in mid summer – too hot

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  14. Ah, love seeing England through the eyes of a Native. 🙂 The entire country is on my bucket list. As far as inspiring cities, Boston – WANT to go back and Gettysburg, PA. Gettysburg is the only place besides my home in California that I’ve ever cried when I left. Love your freewriting. I could almost feel the air in Bath

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  15. I’m not sure if I could pick between Hamilton (my hometown,) Toronto (the worldly city next door,) and San Francisco (which I’ve visited three years now for the Nanowrimo Night of Writing Dangerously.) All are amazing cities in their own ways.

    And my only memories of Bath are going through the Roman ruins with a bus tour, and not really being that interested because I was so focused on getting to see Stonehenge that afternoon!

    I’ve given you the Kreativ Blogger award. Read more here: http://kelworthfiles.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/look-at-me-im-kreativ/

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    • Ooooo, Toronto, yes, I’ve been, I love the simplicity of their underground system 🙂

      San Francisco seems like a good choice, all those hills though, don’t you have to be very fit? Lol

      I love driving past Stonehenge on my way to Bath, there’s just something so right about that 🙂

      Awwwww, thank you soooo much honey 🙂

      Xx

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  16. I just had to comment on the freewriting! Thank your for sharing. 🙂 (Sometimes the most lovely bits of writing seem to happen when we least expect them …)
    My favorite city would have to be Berlin. I just love the juxtaposition of the historic and the ultra-modern, as I’m surrounded by the language and people of my heritage (since my parents are both German.)
    Although Bath certainly looks like a beautiful place to visit as well!

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