Now to continue.
The tour that left from the rail station went through the city of Salisbury for a quick tour around before heading out into the countryside to Stonehenge. This is something I have wanted to experience for myself, up close and personal for many years. So it was quite exciting for me. The only 2 disappointments were the blatant commercialism and touristy atmosphere that surronds the place (wish I could have seen it 30 years ago when one could still actually walk into the structure and touch the stone) and the huge crowds that have made it necessary to put up barriers to keep people from getting at the stone with implements of destruction. The guide told us that when he was a young lad growing up in Salisbury, it was a regular pastime to go out there and try to carve your initials in the ultra hard stone. In recent years the assholes and braindead bozos have been taking spray paint out to put their initials on the stones along with other more crude messages. Thus the cct cameras, barriers and fulltime police presence. Thanks to all the idiots of the world for ruining it for everyone.
All that aside I did enjoy having the opportunity to see the stones, learn about the methods used to cut, construct and assemble them and to experience this incredible location. This area of England known as the Salisbury planes is very special. The original site of the city of Sarum still stands tall on its tiered plateau. The many burial mounds surrounding Sarum and Stonehenge are still there with sheep grazing atop them. The "ley-lines" or "lay lines" that cross at stonehenge set up a powerful electromagnetic field that effects a pair of dowsing rods held loosely in the hands (I tried this and it really does happen). There are several fascinating aspects to the area and you can read all about it at http://www.mysteriousplaces.com/stonehenge/
The bus left Stonehenge by the back road to give us a tour of the Barrows Burial Mounds and a different view of Salisbury City. I got dropped in town. Finding the tourist info office was not an easy task with the signs pointing the wrong way etc. It turned out to be only a block from where the bus dropped me but was around a curve so not visible and the signs sent me on a major hike dragging my luggage behind me.
There is no left-luggage facility anywhere in Salisbury... not the rail station, not the bus terminal, not the info office... nowhere. So, I had to drag it around with me all day. I visited Salisbury Cathedral (http://salisburycathedral.co.uk/) where, after a 30 minute self guided tour of the cathedral, I also took a guided tour of the bell tower and spire. The total height is 404 feet and we climbed about 330 steps up to 220 feet above ground level to the "8 doors". We stopped to sit on the bells level to await the striking of the hour at 4:00 and were not disappointed. Being on the same floor with those bells is quite the experience. After walking back down I visited the Chapter House where the Magna Carta is on display along with antiquities from the Cathedrals past. Lastly a quick visit to get supper from the cafe and then a souvenir grab in the shop.
Next, a long walk back to the train station, hopped on the train to Reading (2 trains to get there) where I planned to stay the night. Finding accommodation was nearly impossible until I entrusted a taxi to find one. So I stayed at a small B&B Hotel for CDN$70. I left there at 5:15am to walk back to the train station to catch the bus to Heathrow at 5:30. Got to Heathrow at 6:10, checked in at the SwissAir desk, checked my luggage, cleared security and waited. The flight left on time at 8:10am. It was a 2 hour flight with breakfast to Zurich. A period of 1 hr 35 minutes between flights and onto the next leg of the journey... Zurich to Montreal, 8 1/2 hours. Had to wait 2 hours in Dorval Airport for the SwissAir bus to Ottawa. Got to Tom's about 9:00pm Thursday night.
I am still suffering from jet lag and the sudden attack on my system of the Canadian Spring/Summer allergies. I know how to counteract Eastbound jet lag but I still don't have a handle on Westbound jet lag. I'm just not able to sleep on a reasonable schedule and have been waking up at 4am, 5:30am, etc. and unable to get back to sleep. If anyone out there has a good Westbound jet-lag solution or prevention please let me know.
Yesterday I was able to procure a place to live for the summer. I will be back in the Byward Market on Clarence street. I move my stuff over there tomorrow morning with the help of my brother Robin and his trusty old van. There's not much to move so it will be quick. The unpacking will be a different story. Laundry will be a major focus for a day in order to freshen up the stuff that's been in storage all winter or all spring.
Well that's the end of the travel log for a while. When I take trips in the future I will report on them here. This weekend I will be doing my Advanced Open Water Diver's Certification. This means I will be away all day Saturday and Sunday getting wet and water logged. My goal is to get an Instructor's Certificate eventually... hopefully sooner rather than later. It'll be a lot of work and diving but I'm a more than willing participant.
Thanks to everyone who has been keeping track of my travels. Keep in touch and let me know all about where you are going on vacation or other travels you take.
Posted by gailene at June 22, 2003 10:37 PM