The thing we enjoy about going away with The Smiths is that they're always keen a bit away from the typical tourist trail.
This was our weekend to see Stonehenge but with Josh and Richard on the trail, we were bound to add quite a few random things (to quote richard - some spectacular, some deplorable) to our weekend.
Such as a traditional tythe barn
and the Uffington White Horse (this is what it’s supposed to look like http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/hillfigs/uff/uffing.htm) what we thought would take us 15 mins to find, as it's spectacular shape was going to stand out on the horizon as we drove past (they said you can see if from space). Didn't. As you can see below - you had to park and walk out to it, there was barely any white chalk left in the shape and close up it really wasn't spectacular at all... instead it was just one of those tourist missions that you sort of ending up questioning 'why are we here again'?
Our friend Richard explained this so well in his recent email: I'm just going to quote him, as he remembers all the names!! and I just love his account of woodhenge (yes, that's right - woodhenge)
'Then onto the Next stop was Silbury Hill, the West Kennet Long Barrow (a Neolithic tomb) and the stones of Avebury. Avebury is a small village in the centre of a huge stone circle (much larger than Stonehenge) that has been rebuilt due to proceeds from a marmalade magnate (thanks Josh). It is quite a remarkable sight, especially when you combine it with the huge avenue of stones in the fields leading into the village.
After a quick lunch and still on a “stone” high, we went in search of the famous Bulford Kiwi, a huge chalk kiwi created by New Zealand soldiers during World War One (see here http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EstateAndEnvironment/BulfordKiwiGetsAFacelift.htm ), but instead found street after street of army accommodation and numerous soldiers with machine guns. Eventually we did spot the Kiwi but couldn’t find a way of getting up there and unanimously decided that it wasn’t worth it anyway.
From there, however, we reached a nadir – in the form of Woodhenge. What can I say about Woodhenge that could really do it justice? ...no, nothing springs to mind. A concentric series of wooden poles, now long rotted away and replaced with concrete stumps, it is supposed to be a precursor to Stonehenge but looks more like a very poor inner-city school playground. Someone on Trip Advisor found it “curiously moving”, something which I think says more about them than Woodhenge.
After I apologised profusely for dragging everyone up there, we headed towards our hotel.
Deciding to finish on a high, we dropped by Stonehenge for a quick look from the road (we were heading there the next morning to see it properly). Either by good management or good fortune, we arrived exactly at sunset and managed to take some lovely photos from outside the fence. It just looked spectacular and was a great end to the day.'
Silbury Hill (largest man made Hill in the UK and maybe Europe)
West Kennet Long Barrow (a Neolithic tomb)
We overheard a guy saying that the slit in this rock was supposed to be a healer of backs - Josh had to give it a go and guess what - he's cured!
Leading to Avebury
The stones around Avebury..
Stonehenge at sunset - spectular!
The next morning we got the foggy Stonehenge experience - which was also cool. We paid and went inside the fence this time. As my expectations were so low I was actually quite impressed with how close we got to the stones. and the audio guide is quite interesting. Although it is funny to see everyone walking around looking like they're on the phone.
Stonehenge is really amazing and I never realised that they still have no idea what it was for or why..
Salisbury town and Cathedral
This is where we were hoping to catch a glimpse of one of 4 remaining original magna cartas left, but due to a non showing staff member they never opened the exhibition room.. at least I now know what the magna carta is (I never learnt law ok)!!
It was such a beautiful day!! Pretty much the week after this weekend the cold weather set in..
Old Sarum, a hillside fort and abbey that served as the original town centre before Salisbury was founded.
It was such a beautiful day!! Pretty much the week after this weekend the cold weather set in..
Old Sarum, a hillside fort and abbey that served as the original town centre before Salisbury was founded.
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