After a good nights sleep my back was still playing up so I had to be careful and keep my back straight. The hotel breakfast was good and unlike the breakfast experience in London it was an enjoyable, relaxing affair looking out over the Cathedral grounds.
After breakfast we set off for Avebury to pick up where we left off on our previous visit in June. This time we were were able to take a pleasant leisurely walk around the stones. There was on slight hiccup and that was due to coincidental timing. There was a particular stone that I wanted to investigate close up. One of the stones that faces the southern avenue and it appears to have a seat. Depending on what you read some say this was used to oversee processions to the Avebury site and refer to the magnetic properties of the stone in relation to this.
When we arrived at that stone a group of Germans were congregated in front of it taking part in some sort of ceremony that involved chanting, dancing and perhaps praying. They had piled all their bags up in front of the stone so it wasn’t even possible to sneak behind them for closer inspection of the stone. We decided to move on and come back and investigate later.
After we finished our walk around stone circle we visited the Parish Church of St. James, the small museum, had lunch and visited the shop where I purchased the two books that I regretted not buying on my previous visit.
We then made our way back to the illusive stone. I photographed it an sat on the supposed seat to see if the reported magnetic properties of the stone had any effect. I felt nothing… We then left Avebury, stopping off for an obligatory glimpse of glimpse of Silbury Hill before making our way to Old Sarum, the site of the oldest settlement in Salisbury and the site of the Cathedral before a new one was built in ‘New Salisbury’.
After all that walking it was time to return to the hotel to freshen up before going out for our evening meal. This involved me having a nice relaxing bath which greatly eased the problems I was having with my back. The evening meal was nice but the wine was rather expensive! We called stopped off at ‘The Oak’ before making our way back to the hotel. Along the way we bumped into some Street Pastors and stopped to have a chat with them.
Whilst in England I only travelled in the south,but loved Cornwall(esp Land’s End)mWinchester and Salisbury. I hope to return in my retirement and end my days in one of the cities/towns.
Your photos always make me homesick for England!
Did you and Mr C drive there or travel by train?
Thanks for taking us along !
We drove there. There was a heavy debate as to which car we would travel in. I concede to let Mr C take his car, which meant he did all the driving…
There was a lot of driving which I was willing to share if we had traveled in my car
Interesting stone. There is a Winchester castle in California. Sort of interesting story Mrs Winchester had a fear if the workers every stop building something awful would happen.
Coffee is on
The stones are fascinating…
They are more enjoyable when there are not so many people around.
you had an amazing day Cherie… all wonderful pictures….peter:)
Thank you
we did have a good day.
All these interesting places, Cherie – especially Avebury. I know that particular stone well
I am sure you have been able to visit on much quieter occasions and enjoy the stones in peace.
I have been to Avebury, Cherry, but knew nothing about that stone with the seat. I wonder if Chris knows about it? Hmmmm. I did love the feeling of that place, and watching all the sheep grazing around. Maybe they feel the good energy?
I am sure Chris or Lisl could tell you more about the stones including that one.
The stone with the seat is interesting. Maybe it helped your back!
I hadn’t thought of that… you could be right. Whether it was the stone or the bath or the combination of the two. All back twinges had gone by the next morning.
How’s the back now?
It is better, see Winchester Day Three.
I love the history of the place and the stones…especially that big stone…glad your back was better.
I find Avebury and Stonehenge fascinating.
It’s never a good thing to look forward to a trip away and be in pain, pleased it got better before your night out just in time for your purse to hurt with the wine bill.
From the angle you depict, the Cathedral seems to have definitive lines in its structure, I must look up it’s architectural period. I know a street Pastor that assists in the rough streets of the city at night. I used to spend a little time with her step Father before he got married. The Police seem to like the idea of it and do a good work.
The Cathedral from the outside looks nothing special, but when you walk inside there is are a few WOW!! moments.
During my stay I did come to love the look of the Cathedral in among the trees