"What Do You Mean '3 Sets of Stairs'?"

Boring.  That's what our flight from Chicago was.  Business class.  Can't even complain about the seats, as they made into a FLAT bed.  Really.  Flat. And there were pillows.  And fluffy blankets.  Thank you, United Airlines.  Well, I suppose I could complain about the food.  But after dinner tonight, it seems a little petty.

So, we got our rental car.  The cutest little Mercedes hatchback!  Yes, it goes on the wrong side of the road.  But to out-fox those tricky Brits, we brought along our Garmin nuvi which does Europe too!  And, believe it or not, it works here.  Only thing wrong: the car kept beeping at us.  I pleaded with Bos, as we whizzed along M4, to call Europcar(part of National car) to find out what the constant annoying beeping was.  Finally figured it out!  The Brits have speed cameras posted on their highways and, if you go over the speed limit (which everyone does) our GARMIN beeps at us.  Like a bad mother saying, "Stop picking your nose" or something.  Once I figured it out, I could hound Bos to slow down.  But we drove the two hours to Bath, using a fold-up map, a hand-drawn map from the Europcar man, and a travel book, in addition to the navi.  So we get here and the roads are really narrow. Bos is in a panic to not hit another parked car, as they park all over, any direction. (And in Ireland, he whacked off a sideview mirror from a parked car, so he is a little sensitive!) And Navi (hence called "Jill") kept saying the hotel was in the middle of an intersection.  45 minutes later we find the stone gates to the Bath Priory, built in 1835.  And we feel like we are in a Jane Austen novel (NOT one of the new ones with werewolves!).  Really, Jane Austen era.  Our room is on the third floor.  Three sets of stairs.  Creaky knees.  Sore hips.  I felt REALLY sorry for the bellboys carrying our bags up.  AND no air.        Fans, yes.  But we spoiled Americans just assume air is included.To continue the Jane Austen theme, we had cocktails on the terrace overlooking the grounds, gardens and the croquet court.  Lunch in the drawing room (actually, one of three "drawing rooms").  And dinner?  Well, here they eat late.  Dinner is always at 8:30 or later.  And it was delish.  Tasting menu.  And since we are near the ocean, fresh seafood is wonderful.  So, bloop, we are ready to bed.  Bos is playing with his new iPad, which gets U.S. newspaper.  And I will make the fan blow on ME, not Bos.  All in all, a lovely day.  Like Jane Austen without the corsets.  And like Jane Austen with 3(THREE) sets of stairs and no elevators!  Maybe I like the 21st century!!