Day 7 - Bournemouth

Good day today.  Sunshine and nice weather.  Today was all about large rocks and druids.  First we went to Stonehenge.  It's pretty much what you think it is.  A bunch of very large stones arranged in a series of circles for no particular reason.  Because it all happened so long ago, no one knows why it was done or how it was done.  It's impressive and fascinating.

Interesting fact about Stonehenge.  It's not a henge.  Nor does it have anything to do with druids.  Druids didn't appear until 1,000 years after it was built.

Next stop was Woodhenge.  Yup, there is a Woodhenge.  Not terribly impressive.

After that was Avebury.  The largest stone circle in Britain.  Impressive.  Not Stonehenge-impressive, but still good.  Had lunch at The Red Lion.  Excellent food and it's haunted.  And has an actual well inside the pub.  After lunch we went to the Alexander Keiller Museum.

Then on to Silbury Hill.  Another place that has no explanation.  If you look at the photo closely, you can see a deer right on the top of the hill.

Finally, back to Stonehenge for an after hours special visit.  Normally, no one gets to go close to the stones.  But, if you are fortunate, you can book a private after hours visit.  They only allow 30 people per visit.  We got to walk among the stones for about an hour.

New photos can be seen here.

Day 6 - Bournemouth

A long drive today through driving rain to Portsmouth, where we visited the Dockyard.  Spent the whole day here.  Toured the Warrior as well as the Victory, the most famous warship in England's history.  This was Nelson's ship at the Battle of Trafalgar.  Both very impressive.  Also toured the Royal Navy Museum, which is really three museums in one.  Then completed the drive to Bournemouth, which we are using for a base for the next 4 days.

Day 5 - Canterbury

Awoke to sunny skies this morning.  Only 2C, but still sunny.  I think it got to about 12 or 13.  Full day today.  We started in Whitstable, a funky little seaside town.  Just wandered about, checking out the sights.  Next stop was Reculver Towers, just along the coast.  After that, we made our way to Ramsgate, where we had lunch at the Royal Victoria Pavilion.  Then on to the Richborough Roman Fort.  Impressive place, and a very important historical spot.  This is where the Roman invasion of England all began.  Finally, we ended with about 2 hours of hiking along the White Cliffs of Dover.  Still sunny, but very cool and super windy.  About a 2 hour hike.  Ended the day with dinner at the Old City Bar.  Totally exhausted.  On the road tomorrow morning at 7 A.M., so it will be an early night.

Day 4 - Canterbury

Miserable day today.  Currently 6C with a windchill of 1C.  Solid rain all day.  We were supposed to hike the trail along the cliffs of Dover today, but the weather was just too bad.  So we went to Deal Castle (excellent - by the way), Walmer Castle and the Roman Museum in Canterbury.  Just picked up dinner at Marks and Spencer and tucking in for the evening.  Supposed to be much nicer tomorrow.  Here's hoping.

Day 3 - Canterbury

Today we spent the day in Dover.  First we visited the Western Heights, then spent the rest of the day at Dover Castle.  Cold, rainy and windy.  Normal English weather.  It didn't prevent us from doing anything, however.  Did a couple of guided tours of Operation Dynamo and the Underground Hospital.  Pics from the first two days are here.

Day 2 - Canterbury

Arrived at 10 A.M. on almost no sleep.  Got an upgrade on our rental car and a bonus rate reduction.  Good start to the trip.  Wandered around the town of Canterbury and spent most of the time at the Canterbury Cathedral.  Interesting cathedral and quite massive.  The place we're staying is quite nice and well equipped.  Weather was cool but not wet.  We all packed it in early due to tiredness.

Day 1 - On our way to Merry Old England

We're leaving tonight for 30 days in England.  Stops will be in Canterbury, Bournemouth, Bath, Bourton-on-the-Water, Parkgate and London.  4 days in each of the first 5 stops and 10 days in London.  Should be fun, although it looks like we'll miss the beginning of good weather in Toronto.  Keep you posted.