28 June – Thursday
Headed out for Salisbury and Stonehenge, weather cloudy and cool. Soon discovered that we would be going through Midsomer, which turned out to be rather unlike the Midsomer we know from the television series. We avoided the main highways and kept to the small country lanes as much as possible (as we have always done) and travelled through the most beautiful and quaint villages, stone buildings, thatched roofs, roses, flowers – everything we imagine an English cottage to be! A stop at a small Norman church was a real delight, the door was unlocked and we could wander inside.
First major stop of the day was a Stonehenge, along with a large number of other tourists. Whilst the stone circle wasn’t as big as we had imagined, it was still a wonderful experience to see something we have seen so many times in the media. No one was allowed to walk among the stones, but the path was very well set out so that photos could be taken without crowds in the backgrounds.
Then it was on to Winton House, the private home of Lord Pembroke. A lovely house designed by Inigo Jones and with a magnificent art collection, especially van Dykes. The grounds were in keeping with the house. Whilst the earl was at home, we didn’t actually get to meet him.
In to Salisbury and the cathedral before travelling on to Old Sarum. This site dates from the Neolithic period and has the ruins of a 12th century castle on the top. Our journey back to Saltford was again through the backroads, with their wonderful villages, even a local pony club riding down the main street.
The British armed forces once again provided entertainment – during the drive across the Salisbury Plains we stopped to watch some tanks playing games, then a helicopter seemed to follow us for a couple of hours before the Air Force jets took to the air.
Headed out for Salisbury and Stonehenge, weather cloudy and cool. Soon discovered that we would be going through Midsomer, which turned out to be rather unlike the Midsomer we know from the television series. We avoided the main highways and kept to the small country lanes as much as possible (as we have always done) and travelled through the most beautiful and quaint villages, stone buildings, thatched roofs, roses, flowers – everything we imagine an English cottage to be! A stop at a small Norman church was a real delight, the door was unlocked and we could wander inside.
First major stop of the day was a Stonehenge, along with a large number of other tourists. Whilst the stone circle wasn’t as big as we had imagined, it was still a wonderful experience to see something we have seen so many times in the media. No one was allowed to walk among the stones, but the path was very well set out so that photos could be taken without crowds in the backgrounds.Then it was on to Winton House, the private home of Lord Pembroke. A lovely house designed by Inigo Jones and with a magnificent art collection, especially van Dykes. The grounds were in keeping with the house. Whilst the earl was at home, we didn’t actually get to meet him.
In to Salisbury and the cathedral before travelling on to Old Sarum. This site dates from the Neolithic period and has the ruins of a 12th century castle on the top. Our journey back to Saltford was again through the backroads, with their wonderful villages, even a local pony club riding down the main street.
The British armed forces once again provided entertainment – during the drive across the Salisbury Plains we stopped to watch some tanks playing games, then a helicopter seemed to follow us for a couple of hours before the Air Force jets took to the air.
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