Time Traveling

We time traveled today.

Started out in 3100BC.  The first circle is laid at Stonehenge.

taken 0645AM BST.
Photographer a bit unsteady at 0645 BST.

To preserve Stonehenge, visitors are now allowed to go around the monument only.  To get inside the ring, apply well ahead of time through the English Heritage site. We got up at 0600BST from our beds at the Mandalay Guest House in Amesbury, took a taxi to the site and, along with 23 others, headed into the circle. 

View from the center looking at the heel stone.
The summer solstice sun rises above this point. 

The locals all seem to consider the place "a bunch of rocks" and if we had been only on the outside looking in, I may have agreed. However, being inside gives one an appreciation for the engineering that went into construction.  

How were the stones placed on top?

From the archives...Eliot at Stonehenge with Dad in 1975.

37 years later, we were here.

How were the top stones centered so perfectly?

Fast-forward to 1215.  The Magna Carta was signed at Runnymeade. The best preserved copy is at the Salisbury Cathedral.  We arrived on Saturday, Easter eve, a holy day so no photos.

An exceptionally beautiful cathedral close. 

Tallest cathedral spiral in Europe.

The cathedral was built in just 35 years. 

Forward again to 1701.  Across from the cathedral is the Mompesson House, an elegant example of 18th century UK life.

Note the espaliered magnolias.

Portions of the 1995 Ang Lee production of Sense and Sensibility were filmed here.  The gardens are especially nice.

I want this. 

Tom Cori and Tom Schindler take note of this bench!  We have the construction details if you are interested.

Exceptional bench.

Pruning the English way.  No mercy.

Now its 2012.  Stratford Station, east London.  Buses arrive below, trains and tube to the right, Behind the photographer is the bridge to the Olympic complex. Can you find Alice and Eric?

Look for Eric's yellow pack.

Onwards, to....when?