And on my 9,036^th day…

♦ Alkmaar Gardens
For the umpteenth time this spring/summer, i.e. tourist season, these central gardens get a new set of flowers put in which I suppose is part of the tourism thing and therefore, I guess, just a nice bonus for us residents. The pretty flowers do not reconcile putting up with the dawdling masses and their coaches however.

♦ St. Michael’s
After ten months of “having the builders in” St. Michael’s opened and warmly invites people to come in for a ganders. It sits between two busy roads outside the Podium. I will take mum there to see what she thinks of it. Robin and I agreed that the alterations are tasteful and considerate. There is a new gallery which has lots of glass and the most fantastic aerofoil looking hand rail. The pews have been removed and a new seating arrangement adapted. The entrance is now wheelchair friendly. Various things have been removed (I did not see it before) to make the space lighter.

See if you can see his face in the “See His Face” sculpture.

I liked it. I think I might even go for a service to see what that is like.

♦ Earl Grey + Mocha
Robin kindly treated me to tea at Cafe Metropolitan.

♦ The BRLSI science trail
I just made the lunch time talk (starting at 1pm) and, please forgive me, was surprised to see most people eating their pack lunch at the start of the talk. I will know for next time though!

A science trail will be reinstated around Bath with guided walks starting in the Autumn. This is following the launch of a new edition of the book Bath, Some Enconters with Science being released but under a sexier name. Unless you are into geology or medicine I don’t recommend you go.

♦ Not me
I saw this defacing near the Podium for the first time - I swear it was not me. However I have put my name into what was fresh concrete somewhere in Bath. Ten points if you find mine.

♦ P’zazz fame
I have raved about the food at P’zazz before and recently gave Sarah a photo of the p’zazz I took for that entry. She was so chuffed she now has it framed outside to entice hungry people.

♦ Bought books
Following a circular I decided to buy these books from thomastelford.com: Conceptual Structural Design: Bridging the Gap between Architects and Engineers; The Brunels’ Tunnel; Thomas Telford: 250 Years of Inspiration; and Peter Rice. There are a few others I want but they will have to wait.

♦ Glorious History, Majestic Beauty
At the Little Theatre I caught a show of Glorious History, Majestic Beauty which is a 40minute historical guide of Bath by Kirsten Elliott. When she appeared on the screen I instantly recognised her: I was standing behind her in the library que earlier today and I think I have seen her at the BRLSI before, possibily even today.
It was okay but I can see why I was the only person in the theatre. At various points it had me, unintentionally, in stitches, as it did when Mrs Elliott said goodbye from the Thermae Bath Spa.

♦ Effects of smoking
I cannot wait for the 1.7.07 when no smoking in confined public spaces comes into force in England. I for one will go out more often. However I am not a fan of things like the unnecessary sign above the new “stub out” outside The Ale House.

♦ Star pint
Han joined James and I for three pints at The Star Inn. I took my half pennies hoping to play shove halfpenny (as I never have played) but was just labelled a geek. Bar billiards, at The Bell, clearly more socially acceptable, could be on the cards next time.

♦ Alkmaar Gardens Sport
After a few it seemed a good idea. And quite hard at the time…