Reading Deirdre Le Faye's 'JA Letters' and Claire Tomalin's 'JA, a Life' in my reading group increased the enjoyment of the 2013 and 2016 JASNA tours....

Last year, 2016 one of my reading groups decided to begin reading Deirdre Le Faye's compilation of 'Jane Austen's Letters' along with Claire Tomalin's 'Jane Austen, A Life'. Happening soon after my second JA JASNA tour in 2016 it was wonderfully insightful and perfectly timed. The 2013 tour covered Pride & Prejudice, and was very much like the tours planned for this summer. Last summer's tour was themed Emma with a bit of Persuasion sprinkled in, complete with a trip to 'the cob'. As members are probably making last minute plans for this summers tours, dedicated to the 200 anniversary of JA's passing. I can honestly say.... you are in for a treat, enjoy every minute, listen and soak it all in....Consider an extra day or three in London, last summer I finally made it to Twinings Tea. Where, if you are having trouble deciding on the enormous selection, they have a 'tea' bar and will brew selections for you on site,. The entrance to this narrowly situated Regency Era entryway is the same as Jane would have known, pictured below....

Inside situated at the far wall are display cases which amuse visitors with a little tea history....

I easily went through all my British currency before returning to the US, 70 pounds worth!!! Then had my luggage searched when I returned to Philly Int'l Airport because, I believe, they doubted anyone would return with that much tea....really! You can walk past one of Henry's homes still standing in London where Jane stayed, pictured below.

When in Winchester at the Cathedral visit the store, They have a section dedicated to JA, I couldn't resist the character ornaments. I also purchased ink with the JA logo for my casket..

Bath has many diversions....Lunch or Dinner at the assembly rooms. This time around I made certain to pack my swimsuit and visited the baths. They have two very entertaining pools. One pool with a fairly strong current which if you are not careful can sweep you into other patrons.  A second on the rooftop where you can enjoy a bit of sun. There is also a steam room with individual aroma therapy rooms depending on your inclination. My next visit I think I may try a facial and/or a massage, and go entirely Roman....Also spend a few hours at the Holburne Museum, which has a delightful lunch counter situated in an enclosed atrium. I had a delicious watermelon and feta salad with a dill dressing refreshing on a warm summer day.... I have begun framing chocolates from my trips, just to be a bit different. Below is one from the Roman Baths and another from a trip to South Africa...

Reading both books together helped to mentally visualize locations from the trips. On the 2016 tour we stopped at a few locations Jane would have been familiar with on her trips traveling in her later years from Chawton to London and Godmersham. Along with churches she would have known either from relatives or neighbors who were rectors...Below a view of Anna LeFroy's grave, Jane's niece, with the entryway of the Parish at Ashe.....

View's of the Wheat n' Sheaf in Basingstoke.....

Henry's Bank in Alton....

A way stop in Guilford which Jane was familiar with....

A short term home of Jane's in Worthing now a Pizza Express, our group stopped for dessert which may have been a bit overwhelming for them, but a nice respite for us ...

and just for fun the entry of a jokester in Lyme....

So many wonderful memories.....