What's your favourite part of Bath?
I feel a real sense of magic and history around the Cross Bath at the end of Bath Street. Some of the buildings around it may have changed over the years, but the sacred Cross Spring has flowed throughout and has bore witness to everything. If only it could speak!
Where's the best place to eat?
Breakfast at Bill's is fast becoming a favourite and, as I'm normally rushing to get from one place to the next, a pie at the Raven is a consistent and reliable choice.
What's the best view in the city?
Walking up one side of the Woolley valley with the dog, looking back to Little Solsbury with the meadow flowers and long grass masking the A46 is my current favourite. You can only see a few ancient farms and begin to really appreciate how important the landscape setting of Bath is. If you walk the full Skyline you are spoilt for choice though – Bath is unique in its beauty.
What would your perfect day in Bath entail?
It would probably be a combination of my favourite pastimes: walking, photography, running and food. A good walk with the dog in the Charlcombe Valley, a visit to the Holburne to see the latest exhibition with a bite to eat at the Garden Café, a relaxing swim at the Bath Spa Hotel and then a group run with Team Bath AC in the evening. We ran through the Two Tunnels the other evening, which was amazing. If there was still time I would catch Bath's finest buildings with my camera as they glowed golden under the low evening light.
Where would you meet friends for a drink?
It would have to be the Raven. It seems to be a hub for local activities and interests. I'll never forget being there when a deaf group were meeting. The place was packed and everyone was communicating in sign language. I'm part of a small group of photography friends and we normally gravitate there when meeting.
What's your favourite shop?
I'm not a great shopper but upstairs at Mr B's bookshop for me is pure indulgence. I can get lost for hours in its room full of lavish books on photography and architecture. Bath's independent shops are the absolute lifeblood of the city and for many is a primary reason to visit.
What one thing about Bath would you change?
Only one? Right now it has to be the seagulls. Working daily in Bath I realise my time must be soon, as the pavement is repeatedly splattered at my feet from another near miss. The time of year when you hear that high pitched mewing of their hungry young, freshly hatched, you realise that once again, we have failed to address the problem for another season.
● Dan is seven years into a programme to digitise and make accessible the many historical images of Bath on his website www.bathintime.co.uk.
