Day 10 - Bath

Another beautiful day today.  Drove to Bath, perhaps the most historic city in England.  Just spent the day walking around taking in the sights.  Lots to see and do here.  Just don't try to find a parking spot on a bank holiday weekend.  Had a traditional roast beef and yorkshire pudding dinner at The Crystal Palace.  A few new pics posted here.

Day 9 - Bournemouth

Today we traveled to Lyme Regis.  It's on the Jurassic Coast and is famous for its beaches that are covered with fossils.  Today was also the first day of the Fossil Festival.  We took a two hour walking tour to discover some local history and look for fossils.

On the way we stopped at the Abbotsbury Swannery.  Yes, that's a word.

After we returned to Bournemouth, we took a walk on the Boscombe Pier.

Day 8 - Bournemouth

Beautiful day today.  Sunshine and 15C.  Today we explored some areas of the Jurassic Coast.

First stop was Lulworth Cove, where we walked around the town, hiked to the Lulworth Rocks, had lunch and ice cream.  Before we left Lulworth, we hiked (quite difficult) to the Durdle Door.

After lunch it was on to Corfe Castle.  It's pretty much in ruins now, but you can still see how impressive it must have been.  This is probably my favorite castle so far.

Our last stop was a hike to Old Harry Rocks.  Unquestionably the best return on your hiking investment.  It's a pretty easy hike with spectacular views at the end.

Stopped in Studland (uh huh...Studland) for a pint at Bankes Arms before catching the ferry back to Bournemouth.  Tiring day, more than 22,500 steps.  But beautiful weather for being outside.

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.