We came upon Stonehenge, two miles west of Amesbury, and could see it from the road. We drove on past, turned onto another road that took us to the car park and visitor's centre where we purchased tickets and caught the shuttle to the stones. Dennis said this was all different from the last time he had come, when Halie was here in May 2013. Before, you just pulled into a car park closer to the stones, purchased tickets and walked to them. He said the improvement was for the better.
It not only was raining, but there was a freezing wind blowing. It blew my umbrella apart. That is the second one I have gone through. I left my gloves and scarf in the car - not smart. It was almost too cold to hold the camera and take photos.
Bluestones
Stonehenge is an ancient temple aligned on the movements of the sun. The stones were raised 4500 years ago by sophisticated prehistoric people.
Sarsen stones
Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks.
Horseshoe of sarsen trilithons
Aubrey Hole markers
Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. Skeletal remains have been discovered and some are on display in the Exhibition at the visitors centre, one almost being a complete man.
Heel Stone
1 - The Stonehenge Avenue
2 - Arrow showing solstice alignment
3 - Heel Stone
4- Stone hole marker
5 - Slaughter Stone
6 - Station Stones
7 - Station Stone markers
8 - Sarsen stones
9 - Bluestones
10 - Horseshoe of sarsen trilithons
11 - Aubrey Hole markers
12 - Bank and ditch
The tour bus ran every ten minutes so we were able to go and come as we wanted. It was amazing to see the stones and think about the people that erected them and how they lived. The exhibition also had a small village of huts the people could have lived in. Inside, a guide explained items and did demonstrations.
There was also a fake stone like the ones there, set up to be rolled on logs. At one end there was a rope you could pull with all your might and a meter would register how many more people of your strength would be needed to move it. Dennis gave it his best shot and the meter registered 95 more people! It gives you some idea of how industrious these people were.
From Stonehenge, we headed on to Bath. We were hungry and Dennis said he knew where in Bath to have lunch. Off we went still in awe of the countryside and being able to see past the trees and hedges along the road. There were fields and fields, cows, sheep, and stands of very tall trees here and there. Even in the cloak of winter, the landscape had a beauty to it.
Dennis knew right where to park and we were off on our way through the streets of Bath.
The King's and Queen's Bath was on one side. . . . . . . .
. . . . .and a clothing store was on the other side.
We walked straight toward Bath Abbey. The Abbey was built in the early 16th century.
The romans built baths and a temple in the Valley of the River Avon, thus making Bath a spa town in 60 AD. It became a popular spa town durning the Georgian era in the early 18th century. The architecture is definitely Georgian with the buildings made of the golden colored Bath stone.
The Roman Baths are to the right of the Abbey. We did not go in but Dad and the lizard posed for picture.
We continue to follow Dennis up the street, then down, and then up stairs. . . .
. . . then down again,and we came to this sight.
The river runs through here and the green color is amazing as it turns white as it falls down to continue its course. At the bottom of the building is a road and we could see cars and people on it. We caught the bus for the tour later at the left end of the building.
We then reached the Riverside Cafe and Restaurant. We had to stoop down to go through the door. Inside we found a quaint, friendly place to eat.
Dad had a hamburger and chips; Dennis had a salad with goat's cheese he really likes, and I had the special of the day. It was a sweet potato wrap with veggies and avocado and wedges on the side. I had traditional hot chocolate and Dennis had white hot chocolate. They were served with chocolate straws. Dad opted for a coke. We all enjoyed the meal and then were ready to see the sights.
Can you spot the cafe from where we caught the bus tour?
We enjoyed the tour through the city atop the open bus with rain sprinkling on us every now and then. Being on top was definitely a better view.
Georgian architecture and the stunning Bath Stone. The house are so neatly rowed up and down the streets.
The Royal Crescent is built in the shape of an arch. Construction was begun at both ends and then met in the middle. It houses about 30 homes. Owners pay for a portion of the facade and then they employ their own contractors to build out their home, thus some being small and some being large.
After the bus tour, we walked to 40 Gay Street to the Jane Austen Centre and who was out front to greet us? None other than the one and only Mr. Darcy! He kindly posed with me and the lizard. It was fun to be there and then to take the tour. We learned about Jane's family, her writing, and her time spent in Bath. She is one of the famous people of the city.
The day had come to an end as Dennis had a 7:30 p.m. appointment and we had an 8:30 p.m. choir rehearsal, so we headed back to the car and made our way out of the city. It was rush hour and the traffic was backed up for some distance and our progress was slow. It began to appear both of us would be late. we made calls to explain and then continued on our way. It finally opened up and Dennis knew right where to go and we were off. He made it in good time and was not too late. We jumped in our car and headed for Newchapel, arriving at 8:45 p.m. Dad let me out at accommodations and when I got to the room, they were just gathering, so we made it too.
From Home:
Master Caleb turned 3 today! We Face Timed with him and wished him a happy birthday. He held up three fingers to show us how old he is. When Katie took his picture he didn't want to smile so he gave her his Monster Face! He wanted monster cupcakes for his birthday.
Side Note: The other day when Dad and I were preparing the lesson for our primary class, we discussed the need for order as the children are quite rowdy. I asked Dad what did he want to have happen. He said he wanted them to fold their arms and act like three year olds. I reminded him that would be Caleb and Brynlyn. He seemed to re-think his idea.
Caleb and his gift from us.
It's so fun to see all these pictures! I have so many of the same ones. Dennis took us to that same restaurant- I still think of my meal there, so good! Love you
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