Bath urban fox

From a cloudy start it turned into a hot and humid Sunday.

Grace and Eda were at a birthday party this morning and she took Jude along so Chris and I decided to walk to Bath along the Kennet and Avon canal. We took the Baibrook House route as it is a little less steep so this took us along London Road past the Bath Rugby training ground.
A movement caught my eye. I thought it was a dog but is was a young and quite shiny fox. I was too surprised to get a photo but we backtracked to the bridge over a culvert and saw it here in amongst brambles and other undergrowth. He just looked at me so I took a couple of shots and then we left him to it.
Beyond the rugby ground we crossed the Avon, went under the railway and climbed up to the canal.  Lots of activities going on including an organised run

We passed an information board telling us it was the site of the Cleveland Pools, the first ever Lido built in the early 1800’s. I hear the men used to bathe there naked but the illustration showed one on the diving board in a top hat!

We artived at the rear entrance to Sydney Gardens in no time. 1.7 miles, shorter than my usual route even with the extension through Bailbrook House. We were heading to Holburne House Museum to see a Hockney exhibition.

It was quite a steep entrance fee, living near Bradford we are used to seeing Hockney for free, but the exhibits were interesting. Mainly pencil and pen and ink sketches from the 1960’s and 70’s and the subjects were predominantly people he was with in various places at the time, many of whom were his lovers. Some of them became the basis of more famous pieces and there was a sketch of his father that was used for a portrait requested by Bradford Art Galleries and niw hangs in Cartwright Hall I believe. No photography I’m afraid, the exhibits were from private collections and I expect they were trying to sell a book too.

We looked around a couple of other galleries. 17th century embroidery and 18th century portraits. One was of the daughter of the Earl of Pultney who was the instigator of the creation of the new town of Bathwick, the impressive Georgian streets from Pultney Bridge to and around Sydney Gardens. It was in one of these elegant houses that Jane Austin resided for a while.

We had a cuppa and a sneaky croissant (gluten) before walking back via  Walcot Street and London Road. 4.6 miles.
Had lunch outside with the family before leaving and calling in the NT shop at Dyrham Park. If you know Dyrham you will know how steep drive down to the house is. We walked down and got the electric mobility bus back. What a couple of oldies!

Always sad to leave but a month today Jude will be 2 and I’ll be there!