Experiencing a sense of pilgrimage with other travelers spying Stonehenge up ahead
Experiencing a sense of pilgrimage with other travelers spying Stonehenge up ahead
Experiencing a sense of pilgrimage with other travelers spying Stonehenge up ahead
The requisite “We were here” photo
The requisite “We were here” photo
The requisite “We were here” photo
The Heel Stone up close
The Heel Stone up close
The Heel Stone up close
Stones that were sprayed orange just three weeks ago by climate activists are host to rare species of lichens
Stones that were sprayed orange just three weeks ago by climate activists are host to rare species of lichens
Stones that were sprayed orange just three weeks ago by climate activists are host to rare species of lichens
Incredible to actually stand and gaze at this awesome monument live and in person
Incredible to actually stand and gaze at this awesome monument live and in person
Incredible to actually stand and gaze at this awesome monument live and in person
After a shuttle ride back to the Visitor Centre, the exhibits were fascinating
After a shuttle ride back to the Visitor Centre, the exhibits were fascinating
After a shuttle ride back to the Visitor Centre, the exhibits were fascinating
It’s amazing to to gaze upon tools that were actually used millenia ago on this site
It’s amazing to to gaze upon tools that were actually used millenia ago on this site
It’s amazing to to gaze upon tools that were actually used millenia ago on this site
And to contemplate life here in ancient times. Were some of our ancestors here?
And to contemplate life here in ancient times. Were some of our ancestors here?
And to contemplate life here in ancient times. Were some of our ancestors here?
What was life like when these were everyday items?
What was life like when these were everyday items?
What was life like when these were everyday items?
And how did they manage to move and erect stones like t cream hese?
And how did they manage to move and erect stones like t cream hese?
And how did they manage to move and erect stones like t cream hese?
A reproduction Neolithic residence
A reproduction Neolithic residence
A reproduction Neolithic residence
Open for visitors to imagine life in another epoch
Open for visitors to imagine life in another epoch
Open for visitors to imagine life in another epoch
No, we couldn’t resist a bit of ice cream before making the trip back to London.
No, we couldn’t resist a bit of ice cream before making the trip back to London.
No, we couldn’t resist a bit of ice cream before making the trip back to London.
Sunday 14 July 2024
Today we opted to make a pilgrimage to Stonehenge, or at least do our best to do so. It’s a fair distance from London and in researching public transportation options we soon realized that if we wanted to make it a day trip, our best bet would be to book a Simply Stonehenge Half-Day Tour through Trip Advisor. Most tour options bundle Stonehenge along with Bath, or Windsor, or Salisbury, or such. We wanted to visit just the ancient monument and to be able to linger at least a little while and and ponder what part it played in the lives of ancient peoples or what the logistics may have been involved in its construction. We got a pretty early start from Victoria Station and listened to our driver’s advice when he dropped us off at the coach park, to go straight to the stones before the other buses arrive. To get a bit of a sense of what a visit may have involved thousands of years ago, we opted to walk to the stone circle rather than wait in line for a mini bus shuttle. That afforded us the experience of seeing the ancient site from afar and watching it grow before our eyes as we got closer and closer to it. Of course there’s no opportunity to get up close and personal with the stones, and even though we were fairly early there were hundred of others out there with us making us feel more like tourists than pilgrims. Still it was amazing to actually be there on Salisbury Plain and imagine traveling there afoot to participate in ceremonial gatherings with other pilgrims thousands and thousands of years ago. And in fact for ceremonial events those visitors would have shared the site with hundreds of others just as we did on this beautiful Sunday in the middle of July. It makes us wonder what it would be like to visit here for a winter solstice sunset. Maybe? Or maybe book ahead for a Stone Circle Experience? After visiting The Stones we did take advantage of the shuttle service back to the Visitor Centre to peruse the exhibits. We didn’t avail ourselves of the crowded cafe or gift shop but did treat ourselves to an ice cream cone on our walk back to the coach park to board our bus for the trip back to Victoria Station. Just having had an opportunity to visit this ancient site will enhance our interest and improve our understanding of every article and documentary about Stonehenge that we’ll encounter in the future. Travel is incredible!
From London we made our way to Tunbridge Wells in Kent to dance to the strains of The Jive Aces and later enjoyed the opportunity to hobnob with the band members at The Ship and Castle in Portsmouth. Two fabulous experiences!
Our last day in London this trip we ventured underground on the Hidden London Charing Cross: Access All Areas Tour for a peek into the workings of The Underground a bit of its history and the uses of the Jubilee Line Charing Cross Station that no longer serves passengers but still has usefulness including as a filming location for movies including Skyfall and Paddington.
Yes, travel is incredible. We aren’t getting in a younger. You guys really know how to do it though.
Yes, travel is incredible. We aren’t getting any younger. You guys really know how to do it though.