Sunny Stonehenge

For my final day in Bath the sun came out and it was so beautiful.  My event for the day was inspired by my wonderful sister in law.  As soon as she found out I was going to be in Bath she said I was so close to Stonehenge that I needed to go.  I have taken her advice and booked a seat on a purple mini bus to go and see this bit of history.  The drive is about an hour through the gorgeous English countryside.  As we drove the guide pointed out some really interesting bits.  There were remains of Celtic burial grounds that are from early BC.  There also was a White Horse that was carved into the side of the hill in limestone.  It was pretty interesting to see this huge horse just smack dab in the middle of the lovely rolling hills.  Our guide also told us that this area is the place where the majority of crop circles have happened.  Unfortunately there were none to be seen on this drive.  When we arrived it was just like I thought it would be.  A small cafe, gift shop, parking lots full of tour busses and across the street are the amazing rock structures.  They most definitely

Sunny Stonehenge

are smaller then I thought they would be but impressive none the less.  So you file through the ticket line, pick up your audio guide and head across the street to check out the stones.  Let's take a minute and talk about these new audio guides that every place has now.  It's like a little cell phone that talks to you and tells you information about where ever you are at.  I haven't fully embraced these yet.  When you look out at everyone trying to experience these beautiful structures it's like everyone's on a phone and not even engaging with anyone around them or experiencing what they are looking at.  A lot of people were just wandering about, looking at the floor listening to the audio guide.  This place was the first place I have even taken one...all the other museums I just couldn't do it but here I thought it might be informative.  Now those of you reading this who know me well are aware of my resistance to certain technological things or social media type stuff (Facebook for example) that reduces the personal connection people have in situations or just life in general.  I feel the same way about these audio guides.  I really did give it a try but I couldn't connect in and experience the grandeur of this amazing piece of history when there was some english woman talking in my ear giving me all sorts of facts.  I think for some people it is probably a great thing but not for me....I do better just being present in the moment and read about all the facts later.  Ok...back to the Stones...As

Thought I'd give you proof I really am here

 you walk into this huge field and along the path that circles the stones you get to see so many different beautiful views of this amazing structure.  It really is phenomenal how it was all built and put together over the course of hundreds of years.  It was so well planned out and added to over the years.  History also says that parts have been removed too by neighboring villages to build houses and buildings.  I couldn't help but think back to the times when these were being built and be very impressed with the people who were able to build it.  They only had very rough tools and no real ways to lift things up except pulley systems and their own strength.  It's quite impressive if you really think about it.   I wandered around for the hour we were allowed just taking in all the views and the green countryside surrounding it.  The drive back was peaceful and I snuck in a little nap so I was rested up for my travel later in the day.
I got back into town and had about an hour to spare before my train so I went and sat in the Abby courtyard and soaked up the sunshine.  It was a great end to my time in Bath, a sunny day, reading my book and listening to an opera street performer singing beautifully.  I then headed to the train station with my insanely heavy suitcase and board the train.  I settled in with my Jane Austen book that I purchased in Bath at a second hand book shop and the train took off towards London again.  I am so looking forward to being back with my wonderful friends in London.