image from sweetsuite10.com
Now I debated long and hard about making this picture a little, well perhaps a lot smaller so that I could write more at the side.
However, as soon as I saw the picture in all its glory, I thought, “No Way, I can’t do that”, this is part of an age-old dream.
I can really imagine myself sitting in that beautiful tub of steaming water, the fire roaring in the fireplace, soft, fluffy towels warming close by as I relax against the headboard, luxuriating in the bliss of mellow candlelight and soft music, the tantalising scent of essential oils and bubbles swirling in the air around my head and relaxation seeping into every pore and brain cell. Isn’t that something to stir the emotions and bring romantic thoughts floating to the surface of your dreamlike state?
Right, the scene is set and the statement made. I adore baths. They are the most relaxing way, I find, of winding down after a cold, wet, miserable day running around getting things done. You can even read a book if you are so inclined. You can have a glass of bubbly and nibble strawberries and chocolate and not have to worry about dribbling chocolate – not once! You can even share the bath if you are of a mind to be generous.
“The truth is, you know, we need our anodynes. You know that word, anodynes? We need that in life some times. A good warm bath can be one for you, or a whatever.” Al Pacino
I may not have an old copper bathtub, reminiscent of bygone days, but I do have a lovely bath, surrounded by candles, essential oils at the ready and soft music available. It’s all in the preparation. I even have hubby organised to pop my towel in the dryer for ten minutes when I’m suitably wrinkled by the water and ready to step out and dry off in sensuous delight. Bliss, hmm.
As you can see the weather slowly became socked in and the view from the back verandah disappeared. I was lucky to get this picture before I became too bedraggled to slide inside. The deck is like a skating rink when it gets wet. Makes for interesting navigation!
We have two pairs of mating wood ducks who have claimed our garden as their day time feeding pasture. They arrive during the morning and spend all day eating and depart on dusk, Apart from today. As the rain increased they departed, looking at us very reproachfully. Never seen a duck look reproachful, it’s worth the wait. I wish I could have captured it but I was too amazed to get the camera. This is what they looked like before I was ‘chastised’ for the rain. I mean, rain and ducks, they go together, don’t they? 
Perhaps they missed their rain coats and wellington boots? I certainly missed mine.
Anyway I’m sure they’ll be back tomorrow with the rest of the bird life we’ve been blessed with. Now, although I love the rain, and if I haven’t anyone I have to see, I will happily wander around splashing in puddles. It reminds me of my carefree childhood. But today I needed to see my local vampire and have blood tests and all sorts of wonderful things done. The highlight was finding a fabulous jeweler who I could talk about gemstones with for a few minutes. There is something truly magical in how they can create incredible pieces from the raw ‘rock’, although the raw material can look stunning on its own. Yes, I am a fanatical crystal collector also.
So I arrived home, soggy and head achy and in need of thawing out. Solar hot water is wonderful, as long as it is sunny. We have had the booster going more often than not and still have problems with sufficient water. It’s fortunate we aren’t over users. My romantic and idealised dream of a hot bath went gushing out the window, although I didn’t know it until too late.
image from billiew.deviantart.com
From a thawing out perspective it was a failure. I felt colder after I jumped in than before, (a mistake I realised.) I literally fell out of the bath with a yelp heard throughout the house. My husband thought I was being murdered. At least I wouldn’t have been tortured by freezing water. Yes, a light exaggeration based on the shock to my system. I’ve never been into the ethos of cold baths, cannot understand why I would feel the need to prove how inured to the cold I might be by plunging into icy lakes, streams, rivers or whatever. I leave that to hardier and less sensitive souls. Each to his own. It is definitely not for me!
Eventually I settled for an almost hot shower. At least I thawed out and stopped feeling as though I had been assaulted. Curled up in front of the fire, listening to the rain and with a beautiful meal, again prepared by adorable hubby a semblance of normalcy returned. Civilisation has a great many benefits, but a cold bath is not one of them. In my humble opinion.
My romantic ideal is still intact, just waiting on the right time to implement it. What is yours? Susan x
“I think a lot of contemplation happens in bathtubs. It does for me. Nothing like a hot bath to ease the tension and think about what’s going to happen next.”
Sarah McLachlan
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- Stressed? It’s Time For A ‘Real’ Bath! (homelivingblog.wordpress.com)
Owls and Orchids 
I really enjoyed your posts about bathtubs, the luxury, the joy, the solitude, the occasional snacks, all good.
I especially loved the photo of the copper tub before the fireplace. It makes taking a bath so decadant.
Great job, Nikki
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There is no good substitute for decadence! In our rush to get as much done as possible we often forget to take a few moments (or many lol) to reward ourselves.
Not quite sure about a maid to dry my back though, that might be too much. 😊
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I am trying to make it a priority to do something nice for myself each day…I will let you know how that works out. 🙂
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You’ve got a hubby who’d be quite happy to dry your back……! Wouldn’t have to pester me toooo much!
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Thank you Mr Gentle Hands – I thought all I had to do was ‘crook my little finger’ 🙂 🙂
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Great post Susan, love the copper bath tub. I love a long hot bath and a good book, oh and a cuppa. We have total solar so a long hot bath depends on the weather. or whack the generator on. Those wood ducks come back year after year, we don’t get the looks off them, we get them off the roos and wallabies when it’s raining. They look so miserable with their wet hair.
The hot bath is a clear marker of civilisation.
Cheers
Laurie.
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Yes, I love the look of the old copper tubs, especially before a roaring fire. Book in hand of course. I saw an amazing bath ‘bridge’ which held all the needed goodies. A girl could get truly wrinkled by the time she’d had enough. I think we’ve lost some of the romanticism with our modern decor… at least I have to think a little more to get that look – but it’s worth it!
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I can here it now, ‘Come on Susan, we have to go. You’ve been in there since yesterday.’ Spies wrinkled mass in tub, ‘Oh.’
As for that bridge, will you have to get it engineered to fit? grapes, books, chockies………….
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Ahhh..this is pure decadence Susan. I had many a bath over the past two years myself…not one for a while, I reckon it is high time I filled it up again. I don’t know about the copper bath tub – give me the last pic of your post – one I can lie in from head to toe with bubbles of lovely decadent smelly, aromatic oils, some herbs on top, candles along the ridge, gas heater at the ready, lovely soft thick towel – warmed on the towel heater rack…glass of bubbly..forget the book – just have the soft music going in the background or a talking book – so much easier to listen to without worrying about the book falling in the drink..what have I forgotten – the spa of course. My lovely other half bought me one of those ones you can put in the bottom of the bath. Ideal for those of us with regular old tubs and no hope of upgrading in this life-time.
Yes, thoroughly enjoyed the visualisation..feel so much warmer now..just need to hop out and dry…ahhh…perhaps a bit longer 🙂
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Wonderful post Susan… I love baths… actually have a love affair going with my tub! I did a fun post about almost 1 year ago… will go fetch it in case you did not see it! http://throughthehealinglens.com/2012/08/03/the-one/
Love and Light to you dear friend ~ x RL
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It was a fun post. I can see there is a long way for me to go yet. I read your work and realise thee can be so much more. I yearn for a place to walk, to be outside and not hear only the intrusive noise of traffic! I see the ocean and cannot get to the beach (we have had massive erosion due to storms for over a year).
Yet I know I will not give in or give up now. So thank you for the inspiration. I need to see this today. (Yes another bad night)
I really hope and pray your operation is hugely successful
Take care Robyn.
Susan ❤
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Susan I hold you in heart as well ~ those bad nights are so trying… I am hoping the blogging becomes a wonderful outlet for you, as it has been for me. I never intended to do more than archive my nature photos (new hobby 2 years ago).. and another blogger suggested I write my “own” quotes, since I was using famous ones.. next thing I knew I was beginning to write poetry for the first time since being a small girl. Yes – the nature is also a wonderful healer. I wish you all good things with your endeavors here… Thank you for your good wishes… I have a whole process ahead of me trying to find the right surgeon and make certain that replacing the hip (or hips) will solve my issues which are not typical ones for that operation. Seems my only hope though – less a miracle. Love and Light to you ~ and blessings always, Robyn
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[…] will recall my recent tribulations regarding my fluctuating water temperature in the shower, see here. Since Ray’s birthday is coming up soon, (he has the fortune, or misfortune depending on […]
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