Bath, Maine was our last American namesake, but certainly not the least. The biggest of the Baths at 10000 or so inhabitants, this lively town is a shipbuilding centre on the side of the Kennebec river. With tons to do - kayaking, biking, hiking, birdwatching, and a cosmopolitan arts scene - we found ourselves staying a week and vowing to come back and live here on day. It's that good.

We were given a plaque by the city council, and accommodation at the excellent Packard House B&B. It's a quietly situated, elegantly furnished Georgian home (with antiques from owner Debby Hayden's family home), but uncluttered and unfussy. Highly recommended!

We were also loaned a couple of bikes from Davis at the Bath Cycle and Ski, and enjoyed a guitar session at Sunburst Guitars, in addition to having the loan of two kayaks from Scott at Seaspray out at Brunswick. (You're probably beginning to see why we enjoyed the place so much.)

Plus, best of all, we were plied with quality food, drink and PR opportunities, and lots of entertainment, by the extraordinary expat Brit Alan Long, our hustler and fixer. British humour, unlike British food, is something we really do miss when we go away...

Anyone have a cheap place to rent for a year or so here in 2000 while I write up the book of the trip...?