Day 3- Sticks and Stones

The mystery of the origins of this prehistoric monument is what brings thousands of people from all over the world to Stonehenge. Tucked away in the countryside, these circular freestanding rocks have caused many people to tap their brains and question how in the world they got here. The rocks date from approximately 2200 BC but the surrounding earth bank and ditch date back to 3100 BC.

There are numerous theories regarding Stonehenge. Ranging from folklore saying that the Devil bought the stones from a lady in Ireland and brought them to the countryside. Another legend said that Merlin the Wizard (famous in Arthurian Tales) ordered the monuments removal from Ireland where it was built by the local giants who brought in the stones from Africa.

In order to access Stonehenge you must park across the street from it and cross the street via an underground tunnel. Across the street you’ll find a gift shop and a concession stand. There is an audio guide offered onsite but I didn’t grab a set of headphones. From what I was told it didn’t tell you anything most people didn’t already know about the monument. Today, you can no longer tough the rocks as there is wire fencing surrounding the monument. Instead, you are merely guided around the monument by a sidewalk that goes 360 degrees around this prehistoric masterpiece before dumping you out conveniently by the tunnel. This is partially because since the beginning of the 20th century many of these stones have started falling or were leaning on one another. It is suggested that this is due to the change in the weather and due to the increased numbers of curious tourists resting their bodies on the stones. Since then, the stones have been re-erected.

I found this to be a great pit stop on my way to Bath from London. Due to the wicked wind and the bone chilling weather I didn’t spend much time there. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think I would have stayed any longer had the weather been better. It was rather boring. They are literally just rocks standing upright. That’s it. They don’t dance, there isn’t dramatic music, there was no laser show or cavemen running around. I’m telling you this has to be the easiest way England is raking in the bucks. They don’t have to do anything. It’s odd to me that people pay to see rocks, but then again…I was suckered into paying to see it too. Go figure. After I snapped my “hey mom look at me I’m in Stonehenge” shots, I quickly vacated the area and went back out to the parking lot. The lot overlooked a pasture where there were sheep. It made for beautiful pictures and it was quite pretty. I waited here while the rest of my group tapped their heads and wondered how the rocks got there…I’ll just buy the wizard theory. It makes perfect sense that giants built this, I mean, who else could have hauled those stones?

Words cannot express the beauty that is Bath, England. Each year there is a competition within the country to find the most beautiful town, Bath is no longer allowed to enter this competition as it always wins. As soon as I laid eyes on the town, I understood why.

Bath is home to the only natural hot springs in the entire United Kingdom. This is what drew the Roman’s here to create a spa. The Roman’s believed the spas were the cure all for many different diseases and afflictions. It is said that a sterile woman visited the Baths and miraculously became pregnant. The Roman’s built grand temples and spa complexes in the first century CE and were used for 400 years. Although today the baths are open to the public, you are no longer able to relax in the water because encephalitis has been discovered in the green water. If you are interested in experience a bath experience here in Bath, you can visit the nearby Thermae Bath Spa.

The Roman Bath’s museum is a beautiful and educational way to learn about the town. Once inside the bath’s you are given a phone-like device. At each point of interest that is a number that you punch into the phone, by doing this you are dialing into an information database that tells you about that particular object. I have to admit I skipped over some of these stations because if not I would have been there until Bath was conquered yet again. Some of the descriptions were dry while others included background noises and voice actors. The museum was built around the spa so some of the original structures are still partially in tact.

After the Roman’s left the town fell into a state of disrepair. Bath became very exclusive during the Elizabethan and Georgian times. During the Georgian times the city underwent a revamping and many of the buildings were constructed in the style of Georgian architecture. A perfect example of this would be Gay Street and the neighboring Royal Crescent. This is also the time when the Theatre Royal, The Circus, and Pultney Bridge were all built. Pultney Bridge is much like the Florence’s Ponte Vecchio. It is lined with shops and offers great views of the River Avon.

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, or Bath Abbey as it is commonly known is another highlight in this picturesque town. Work started on this Gothic church in 1500. The original intentions were not for it to be nearly as large as it is today. It was intended to be a monastic church. I for one am glad that the architects scrapped the original plans and built the masterpiece that is now Bath Abbey. Inside the Abbey there are stunning examples of stained glass. The pews are all done in a rich dark wood and the fan-vaulted nave and ceilings add an ornate charm to this place of worship.

The Abbey also serves as a memorial to several notable people such as Isaac Pitman, William Bingham, James Montague, Beau Nash and Admiral Arthur Phillip.

Bath is a magnificent town full of photographic opportunities. If you find yourself in London, I suggest you take a side trip to this fantastic place.