Bath's Bikes

I noticed a lot of bicycles as I wandered about Bath - understandable since the roads seem very congested...I guess those Georgians didn't plan for 21st Century traffic levels.

These ones seemed to be quite sociable:

This next one was down by the Theatre.  Did I tell you I got to see 'An Inspector Calls'?  Well I did and very good it was too - as you would expect from a National Theatre production fresh from the West End and Broadway.  You have to avail of a bit of culture when you can, don't you.  One of the downsides of living in The Liberties is that you get a limited choice in that department.  I mean, there are lots of cultural things here, but sometimes it's nice to see a Big Production, if you see what I mean.  Anyway, I enjoyed it.  First time I've ever seen rain in a play - proper rain it was too, wet and everything.  Reminded me of home, it did.

It wasn't the bicycle that attracted my attention in this next shot, it was the bricked up doorway:

Bricked up windows are very common in Bath, due to the famous 'window tax' in the 17th and 18th Centuries.  But I've never seen a bricked up doorway before.  Was there ever a 'doorway tax' I wonder?  I like the fact that the step up from the pavement is still there...

The plaque on the wall names John Palmer as resident - he was Bath Architect sometime in the 18th Century, apparently.  The bike I know nothing about, other than it was chained to the railings.

Which leads nicely on to:

I don't know how this was done, but someone has clearly taken on board the notice and somehow lifted his bicycle-contraption over the railings.  There was no gate, that I could see anyhow.  Very strange...