Chapter.06- Getting Steamy With Adam Remington At Aquae Sulis!

Six: Getting Steamy With Adam Remington At Aquae Sulis!

After last night's win, I was so bloody knackered that as soon as I hit the bed, I was out like a light. Hence, I couldn't text Kayden and let him know that we'd advanced into the finals nor could I this morning, as I was up and running around packing my backpack as we were off on a historical field trip to Bath which was a part of our module and then we'd all go on a break.

I was in the coach sitting at the back and I called bagsy over the window seat. I rested my head and then woke up with a start when the bus jerked forward. I turned around to see the others rushing to get off the bus and I looked at the window. We were here, I quickly shot up from my seat and got off the bus, I ran a hand through my hair and tied it up into a high ponytail. It was fairly warm today, making it a good time to visit the UNESCO heritage. I'd opted for a wide-leg denim trousers, a striped t-shirt which was tucked in under my denim jacket, which I'd shrugged on just in case.

Prof. King was stood outside chatting to a bloke who seemed to be in his mid-twenties. We were at Aquae Sulis, Somerset and I was already excited. I wished Charlotte could be here, it would've made it even more spiffing. But she'd chosen another paper and I was feeling rather lonely.

We began our visit by entering into a magnificent Victorian reception hall and we all took a moment to admire the ceiling, decorated with the images of the four seasons and surmounted by an elegant dome. It was adorned with white marbled columns and was breathtaking. You could fill an entire church with the reverend awe in our voices.

I snapped a picture and sent it to Chars: Wish you were here! x :(

I waited for her reply, she didn't text me back, sighing I pocketed my phone. Once all the formalities were done and after showing them our student ID card, we were off to get steamy in the Roman baths.

As we entered the site, I heard the commentary from the main audioguide: In the first century AD, a huge bathing complex developed here, around natural hot springs. As we delved further into the site, alongside stood a temple to the Celtic-Romano goddess of the springs, Sulis Minerva - in Roman times was called Aquae Sulis, the Waters of Sulis.

"Hey, there you are! Here, listen to this!" One of the girls from my class whose name was Kate came bounding towards me and excitedly held an audio guide against my ear.

Startled I took a step back. "Hey, Kate!" I smiled and listened to it, and Kate too bent her head down and listened to it along with me.

It spoke about an ancient legend, how this hot spring was discovered by Prince Bladud who was banished from his kingdom as he suffered from leprosy and as he travelled along with his pigs who were also infected with the same disease and how he was cured of leprosy when the pigs rolled around in the mud around in this area they were cured of their infections, the prince discovered the hot springs and its healing powers. He cured his disease, became king of his entitled kingdom and founded a city at the site of the healing water.

"Blimey! That's cool huh?" She grinned, her hazel eyes shone with excitement.

I nodded my head in agreement. "Indeed. It's spiffing!"

"Right! Come on let's go!" She put the audio guide down and with her other hand excitedly pulled me along.

Kate, resembled a child when she dragged me away, we'd only spoke when we had ancient med together and that was it, she was sat next to me in class and she'd make small talks and helped me if I needed something. She was a lovely girl and the only friend I'd made in this class.

Upon entering the Museum, the first thing we laid our eyes upon was the Great Bath, it was the largest attraction in this huge complex. First, we got a good view of the now roofless pool as we walked along the high walls and terraces built so that the public could visit the site.

I heard Kate gasp in awe. "This is so fascinating." She looked around with wonder in her eyes. I was pretty sure I did too.

I felt like I'd been transported to an entirely different era, although it wasn't bustling around with people like it used to, it had some sort of a mysterious charm to it and I got goose prickles just looking around. In ancient times this place was bustling with people and full of life and activity, a stark contrast to the ruins that laid in front of us. Now when you fast-forwarded to 2,000 years later whilst you can wander around the magnificent Great Bath, but now, it'd been opened to the elements, the green water was algae affected, the effect of direct sunlight. The original lead lining was very much still watertight and that hadn't changed even after 2,000 years.

"Welcome to Aquae Sulis! That is Latin for Water of Sulis." We turned around and came face to face with the bloke who was chatting with Prof. King earlier and now had caught our attention.

He introduced himself as Adam Remington who was a PhD student and specialised in Roman magic. We responded to his greeting and then he continued to explain to us more about the Baths. "How familiar are you lot with the goddess Sulis or this bath in general?" He quizzed, his gaze swept over all of us.

"Sulis was the local goddess of the thermal springs that fed and still feeds the spa baths which the Romans called Aquae Sulis and her name appears on inscriptions discovered at Bath," Roger answered.

"Impressive!" Adam beamed. "Anyone else?" He looked around.

"It represents the blending of both the Roman religion and culture with the religion and culture of the Celts. At this site Sulis, a goddess of water, healing, and fertility was fused with Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, battle strategy, and in some accounts health as well. Before Minerva's arrival, however, Sulis was revered by the Celts at the site of Aquae Sulis because its hot springs provided natural rejuvenating properties that convinced many Celts that this was a place directly linked to the goddess." I answered in hopes of impressing Prof.King and regaining her favour after the elevator incident.

"Brilliant!" He smiled. "Seems like you lot know your onions."

Of course, we did, we had Prof. King to guide us. She was the best! Kate let out a small squeal and squeezed my arm and bumped my shoulder with hers.

My eyes flickered to Prof. King and she had a small smile on her face which had me chuffed to bits. Huzzah!

"In Roman times the bath was covered by a 20 metre-high roof, and I assure you the water would have been rather more inviting," Adam continued with his explanations when one of the blokes remarked the water.

After enjoying watching the Great bath from the terrace for a while, we moved on to the main part of the site: the Hot Spring. It was in the middle of the site, the easily-overlooking spring overflowed, where the steaming water gushed through a Roman arch, its minerals coloured the stonework a deep russet. I could feel the heat when the steam arose.

"The Hot Spring is what makes the site so important and mysterious because the water in the spring rises at a rate of 1,170,000 litres each day with a temperature of 46°C. Watching the water, you can see the damp and gas bubbles leaving the surface, and it is not hard to understand why the ancient inhabitants saw this as the work of the supernatural world. Surely the water's healing power was a gift from the goddess Sulis." Adam commented.

"So that would mean I can't stick my pinkie inside?" Kate queried.

All our heads turned in her direction to check whether if she was being serious or barmy.

"It's 46° C so it's hotter than the water in your bath! That would mean no. But the water is full of different minerals, even more than the bottled spring water you can buy in supermarkets." Adam added thoughtfully with a smile.

"So does that mean the water's safe for consumption?" Kate frowned as her eyebrows crinkled in confusion and intrigue etched on her face.

Cue crickets chirping in the background.

Adam chuckled. "You could taste the yucky but supposedly health-enhancing spa water - either from the self-service fountain near the exit or from the Pump Room's fountain, but do ask staff for a glass."

"Oh indeed? Then I surely will!" She looked surprised and relatively satisfied.

"We'll go get you some later." I patted her arm. She smiled and sidled next to me as we began walking.

Next up was the museum part of the Roman Baths, where we learned more about the lives of the people who lived in Aquae Sulis and the people who travelled there from all over the Roman Empire to be healed by the magical water. We saw a Gorgon, it was scary looking water god and was the front of the temple. He informed us that it was Medusa, but this one had a weird moustache. Around him all sorts of images were carved: victories, helmets, tritons and an owl.

Kate nudged me. "Don't you think that this Gorgon fellow looks a bit like that troll who lives under the bridge from Dora?" She whispered as she stared at the iconic and mysterious carving on the pediment.

I let out a snort. "Great Scott! Kate," I laughed, "where did that even come from?"

She tucked her lips in. "That came from when I looked at the carving and my mind made a direct link to the show! Now, take a closer look and you'll see I'm right." She insisted and began to explain it to me.

When I took a closer look, it did sort of look like the troll. "You're right. It does look like him. Reckon they stole this image for the show?" I looked at her.

"That's what I thought!" Her eyes widened. I shook my head and laughed, she was silly.

I looked around, there was a great deal more to take in, including changing rooms, saunas with underfloor heating systems on display, and plunge pools. We even had access to off-limits areas. We collectively tossed in well-timed oohs and ahhhs when we saw the magnificent gilded bronze head of Sulis Minerva, probably from a statue in the temple.

For me, even more, riveting was the temple courtyard - when we crossed the excavated area on a raised walkway it was easy to appreciate the original layout - and absorbing finds. Everything was explained in exemplary fashion, using various modern media, when Adam wasn't speaking we listened to the audioguides, and the large-scale video screens showed holograms of people from Roman times - which included a priest, soldier and bathers - going about their business. It was all so mesmerising.

The bath was surrounded by people and especially school children, poking their nose around the heritage site, their laughter and giggles echoed as they met costumed characters - a Roman soldier, stonemason or merchant - who were played by enthusiastic actors by the Great Bath.

We clicked pictures with the costumed characters and it was fun, one person even pretended to be shocked and surprised when he saw our phones and cameras, he did his job well of being from ancient Rome.

Adam bless his soul went on to explain how the Romans used the spring water, how they spoke to the goddess when Kate asked him questions. We neared the sacred spring where people would throw coins, jewellery to pray to the goddess and even lead curse tablets.

"This is where I come in since it's my area of expertise," Adam paused but continued, "and as you know we found the famous lead curse tablets here." He looked visibly excited for this part, as he should. "If someone has stolen something from you, you can write a note to the goddess about it. Sulis Minerva will help to get the stolen things back to you and then punish the thief! The notes are written on lead, which is quite soft, folded up and thrown into the Spring. We call the notes to Sulis Minerva 'curses'. Sometimes they were written back-to-front or in mirror-writing to make sure only the goddess could read them!"

He showed us the lead curse tablet and it was inscribed on the front by hand in Latin. It had a hole in, pierced by a nail. He said it was like a supernatural action that the being was attacked by the nail itself.

"This one says: The person who has stolen my bronze pot is utterly accursed." First, he read it out in Latin and then translated the text to English so that we'd understand.

"The barmy ancients were quite attached to their pots?" One of the lads spoke up with disinterest. We all stared at him and gave him mean looks, unaffected he just shrugged.

Adam cleared his throat, "Indeed they were. So next time anyone's ever wronged you, you can always try this method. Write their names in Latin, pierce a hole and throw it here. The goddess will avenge you." He joked we all laughed. "Oh and remember it always has to be lead, since the material is dark and evil, and so is the curse," he added ominously.

A few laughs resounded around the sacred spring. That saying struck a nefarious idea in my head, and one particular person's name shone brightly, on whom I could use this method. All I had to do was find a lead tablet and bribe Adam to help me inscribe it in Latin.

As we walked further into the baths, Adam divulged more information on how the temple was, what activities happened in the temple courtyard. Which had two temples facing each other, one dedicated to the goddess Mars and the other to god Sol.

As we entered back into the bath complex from the ground level, we were able to view the Great Bath more closely. We also visited the other rooms in the bath.

"Were all the rooms in the bath hot?" Matt, one of the trollops and the bloke who had an argument the other day queried.

Adam grinned. "Good question. When we go to the baths we go through different rooms.." I stopped paying attention and admired the columns when he started explaining the different rooms with their Latin names. I busied myself by looking at the holograms, they were rather fascinating to watch.

".....They didn't just get clean, they'd have a snack, play tabula and even get a rub down as well." I turned back to the group when Kate called me.

"Oi! Keep up!" She hissed.

"Sorry, was doing a bit of a dekko!" I muttered and caught up with the group.

Adam interacted with us and I asked him a lot of questions regarding his blog about Roman Magic and subscribed to it because it was humorous and informative. He told me that I could contact him whenever I wanted if I had any questions or doubts and I accepted his offer. We'd finished our tour and chatted amongst ourselves, nibbling on some nosh.

Before we left, we certainly did not forget to get our dosage of the healing water, which had attracted pilgrims for over a millennia. At the exit, there was a fountain where we could sample some of the water. We had to pay fifty pence for that, I paid extra and purchased a cup for Charlotte as well.

Roger spat out the water. "Tastes like sewage to me." He shuddered and walked away making a face, supposedly looking for the bin.

I took a sip anyway. Although it was lukewarm and not very pleasant to drink, it might heal all our illnesses as the legends claimed, and surely this was worth a try. Innit?

"I hope you lot enjoyed this fun and informative trip," Prof. King began, "and I hope to see this kind of participation in your next term as well. I want all of you to do well in your exams especially my paper and hope to see some of you if not most of you next term as well and I hope you enjoy your break, study well and submit your assignments on time, I will not be extending it. Good luck!" She graced us with a small smile.

We grumbled out responses, and Prof. King couldn't be arsed about our reaction regarding the assignment date. As dusk took over, the entire bath was lit with torches and the whole site transformed into a very atmospheric place, enchanting, and just like how it would've been in ancient times. It was a sight to behold and I snapped quite a few pictures.

After we were knackered, we were off home, and I couldn't wait for the break period which commenced tomorrow so that I could catch up on my sleep and do nothing in general.

************************

I finally trudged upstairs, my body was right knackered after that trip. I opened the door to my room and my body nearly cried when it saw the bed.

But....that'd have to wait since Charlotte was in my room.

"Awww, Becky! I apologise for not responding sooner." Chars arose from the couch and pulled me for a hug.

My hands were slack against my body and I didn't return the gesture, she disengaged herself from me pouting.

"Why are you here?" I inquired. She was in my room.

"I came here to see you before I left!"

I dropped my backpack, but picked it up and rummaged through it and pulled out the water I'd gotten her.

"Here take this and bugger off! Close the door on your way out." I handed her the water and went straight to my bed and took off my daps.

"Fuck you and I'll see you when I come back. Thank you for this Becky!" She blew me a kiss and left. I waved at her and closed my eyes.

***********

Ever made plans but then there were these evil forces/ beings in the universe working against you to deviate and ruin all of them just because they couldn't be arsed about how you felt or if you were busy?

Well, that's exactly what happened to me today!

I was going to sleep until noon today and was grateful that it was university break and therefore, I decided I'd sleep for a long time and wake up somewhere around for afternoon tea.

That wasn't going to happen as somebody rang me and my phone started blaring. I groaned and cursed that person into oblivion for ruining my plan, I ignored the call. Usually, an individual would get the hint and stop ringing, but this individual had something else on their mind and rang me once more, now I was cheesed off.

Whoever it was, had better have a good reason to call me at this time in the morning because they started to give me bloody aggro!

I picked up the device with my eyes closed, squinting my eyes I pressed the answer button. "What?" I bit out angrily.

"Well, hello to you too, Rebecca." The voice mocked.

I removed the phone from my ear to check who it was. It read Rachel Oh.

Even more frustrated, I brought the phone back against my ear. "Somebody had better be dying if you decided to ruin my precious sleep. If not, I will kill you," I said upset and pinched my nose.

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" She joked.

"You won't be waking up on either side of the bed if you keep talking," I warned her and checked the time on the digital clock that was beside the bed. It read: 11: 30 A.M.

"Whoa, calm down, Becky! I am sorry, I was only wondering if we could spend time today? You know...since everyone's busy travelling, going back home and catching up with family since its break. So I thought I could come over today," she explained and there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

I sighed, I could sacrifice my sleep for a friend in need. "Fine. You can come over and stay as long as you want. Meet me in an hour, yeah?" I told her.

"Really?" She sounded happy. "Thank you, I'll be there in an hour!" She hung up.

I dropped my phone on the bed, and groaned.

Stopped and continued groaning for another five minutes and rose from the bed to freshen up.

There goes my plan! I thought to myself bitterly.

__________________

Actually Adam Remington's real name is Adam Parker and indeed has a blog about Roman Magic and I follow it. If anyone is interested and likes history please check out his blog. And also Prof. King is a real person at the Open Uni UK. She sort of teaches Ancient Med and I'm currently doing that course!

So the history lesson you read in this chapter is all based on my notes from this course!🤧😅 And I love Aquae Sulis so I chose this topic!

And this is Rachel Oh. Portrayed by Krystal Jung. I was wracking my brain for somebody to play Rachel and then it suddenly dawned on me Krystal Jung is perfect!!

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Until next time, loves!xx 💙💙