After returning to Bath From Real World studios, I had some lunch and chilled in town for a bit until I was ready to make my trek to Solsbury Hill. I chose the appropriate bus from the bust station that would take me to the outskirts of Bath to an area known as Batheaston.
I have included some photos of my trek up to the top of Solsbury
Hill. What a long and steep climb it was too! However, it was
well worth the effort, and "Little Solsbury Hill" as
it is called is actually quite large and very peaceful. I can
understand why Peter used to escape there to sort himself out,
which is excatly what I did. I found much peace and a sense of
freedom on top of the hill. In fact, I was the only one there,
so it was even more special.
Thanks to Mac Cat who supplied the basic directions to the hill
itself, they became invaluable to me.
In addition, I would like to thank the lovely eldery gentleman
in Batheaston who pointed me in the right direction and made sure
I had the energy to make it up the steep road. We had a nice chat
and like most people in the countryside of England, he was very
chatty and very kind, which was a breath of fresh air from the
stonefaced mob of NYC.
The Hill situated just outside of the town Bath which proved to
be my favorite town I was to visit in England, If anyone ever
visits England, I would suggest making a visit to Bath. It is
beautiful! The minute I walked off of the train, I felt a warm
feeling, almost like coming home. I wish I could make Bath my
home.
The village of Batheaston which is about a 15 minute Bus ride
from Bath is the home of Solsbury Hill. It is a nice little village
with much wealth, beautiful large homes, and quaint little ones
as well.
As I mentioned the trek to the top of Solsbury Hill is quite long
and the dirt road, Solsbury Lane is quite narrow in the beginning
and very steep. It starts as a one lane road with no walkway on
either side, so one always has to be on the alert far automobiles
coming up or down the road. Fortunately, I only encountered two
on my trip up and down.
It seems like the road goes on forever, and then I came to the
top where I could begin to see the countryside which welcomed
me! The road forks, and yes I did take the right one! Lucky I
had the directions! This road is just as steep, but there are
great views all around. I passed a farm and took some snapshots
of some inquistive friends.
After passing the farm I kept a steady pace until I reached the
end of the road and a large metal gate. There was big house on
the left of me with a security gate. I realized that wasn't the
place to go, so I opened the big metal gate in front of me and
walked in. Above me I saw the top of the Hill, but no sign yet
to mark the hill, so I walked to the right and snapped some shots
of the view from that level. I proceeded up the grassy hill and
reveled in the wonderful fresh air that surrounded me. It was
quite chilly too, and the air was crisp and alive.
After using some fancy footwork to dodge some strategically placed
cowpies,(I wasn't so successful when I was wandering on top of
the hill) I reached the top of the hill and found the sign "little
Solsbury Hill" which is included in my photos. Oh Joy! I
made it!.
I was alone, so I did my best to take photos of myself, but I
am not sure how succesful I was. I included a few here. I stayed
on the hill until dusk and snapped some photos and let my mind
wander. I was able to find peace on this hill and gave thanks
for having this opportunity. It was marvelous!
I then planted the well designed Solsbury Hill website flag on
a concrete monument that resides on one of the edges of the Hill.
Mac Cat planted one there last month on her trip, yet it was nowhere
to be found. Unfortunately, I did not have the time before my
trip to print the new website address on the flag, Mac Cat had
already made it up with the old address and she told me to use
my creative talent(I am a film/video editor/graphic designer in
NYC) to come up with a way to change the address, so I used some
quick ingenuity and a "Sharpie" marker to change the
.net to .org.
If you have made it this far then thank you for letting me share
this with you, since it was a trek that allowed me to help clear
my mind and sort things out. I hope to return someday, and I am
sure I will.
Cheers,
Scott
Solsbury Hill
Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
Had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
just had to trust imagination
My heart going boom boom boom
"Son," he said "Grab your things,
I've come to take you home."
To keepin' silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Thoough my life was in a rut
"Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" he said "Grab your things
I've come to take you home."
When illusion spin her net
I'm never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes but still can see
No on taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I don't need a replacement
I'll tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" I said "You can keep my things,
they've come to take me home."