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| Stonehedge on Summer Day |
On a fine English summer weekend, took a Southeast train from Waterloo station in London to Salisbury which goes via Vaxhall, Clapham Jn., Woring and Andover (pay 16 pounds for the 1 hour and 30 min one way ride). A light shower welcomed us at Salisbury and after quick refreshment took a tour bus from Salisbury railway station to Stonehedge. Bus tour bus ticket cost another 20 pounds, which included pass to Stonehedge and Old Sarum castle.
The bus ride (30 min) took us to a vast green meadow with few large standing stone forming a big circle in the middle of nowhere. So if you are one of those who just landed there with no interest in history, you will be disappointed for sure. But if you are explorer or history freak, you will appreciate the historic place. Nothing to say more about Stonehenge as it draws people from all over the world and there are many many stories about the significance of Stonehenge from astronomical observatory to sacred rituals linked to sun. But all that is known for sure is it evolved from a simple bank and ditches in Neolithic period some 5000 years ago to sophisticated stone circle. So I will leave to you, to choose the story you wish to believe.
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| Stonehedge Tour Bus |
On the lighter side, I was again reinforced that British loves curry as out of 4 or 5 lunch options at Stonehedge, there was rice with chicken curry with mushroom and green pepper. It is very hard to explain what food taste like when you get to eat something steaming hot between the summer afternoon showers. The yummy lunch at Stonehedge was priceless.
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| Old Sarum Castle remains |
On our way back to Salisbury, spend two hour in Old Sarum, where one could see the remains of destroyed castle and destroyed cathedral, which is considered as mother church of huge diocese. Once a busy town and latter abandoned due to lack of water and squabbles between church and military led to building of a new settlement by the river now known as Salisbury.
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| In front of Salisbury cathedral |
In the evening hours visited Salisbury cathedral, a 13th century cathedral (www.salisburycathedral.org.uk) and which has Britain’s tallest spire; 123m. It also has one of the four surviving original magna carta. Happiness filed me when I came out of most beautiful cathedra and one which is considered the largest in Britain. After cathedral visit spend time in Salisbury, walking the market place, high street which had number small vegetable, fruit, flower vendor along side Chinese/Indian/Tai restaurant, Starbucks/Nero coffee shop, blockbuster and BH stores.
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| Original Magna Carta |
At the end of the day, had a sense of being in a nice and quiet country side after being in busy London for some time.
