I love the night (II): Sea of souls

Ascending the steep path through the woodland to reach this viewpoint is the litmus test of one’s fitness. I have always held that the for the latter a good diet is a sine-qua-non, but an epicure like myself will always use this as an excuse for his gastronomic exertions. Having left the Greek restaurant downtown only minutes earlier, camera, lenses and tripod-laden, the climb felt like Golgotha and I felt like bending over and bidding farewell to my dinner. But I crested the hill and the spectacle that unfolded below and beyond carried me along on a crest of euphoria.

One only has to stray a little from the city centre to find themselves in the nearby rural haven. Views of magnificent Bath, nestled amongst tree-lined hills, parks and woodlands are available from various elevated spots, but this one beats them all hands down. Last Saturday had been ringed red on the calendar: only a few moons earlier I had seized Alexandra Park’s view spot to capture panoramic images in broad daylight, so long exposures were on the cards. This time of the year does not host the gentle chatter of birds, rustling leaves or smell of wildflowers, but at least there was audible evidence of mounting excitement from the rugby ground, as the home team entertained Newcastle. Thunderous roars and standing ovations roars in response to fierce physical exchanges on the pitch reverberated across the city and carried enough decibels to reach the park.

Saturday, 16 February 2019: Now that day has slipped into coma and night’s dark veil has started to shroud the city, I shall do what I do best. Plain to sight are the prominent St John the Baptist’s spire, rugby and cricket grounds, the Abbey, railway station and track. To the pedantic observer visible are the Circus in the background and at the bottom right South-West’s bloodline, the Avon. Lights are blazing from houses, offices, billboards and street lamps; pedestrian traffic becomes as hectic as vehicular with fans leaving the ground and making their way to the station; there is flow and glow from everywhere. The night is yet young. Life here rolls at a leisurely pace, as does the river. Nothing else important happened today.
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