On our way to Stonehenge
On the "coach" on the way to Stonehenge
Princess Di’s favorite shopping store, according to our bus driver.
Harvey Nichols was sold with the condition that a shrine to Princess Di be kept in the basement of the shopping store. This is quite a Posh place with a strict dress code. If you want to "limp into" this store you had better be dressed appropriately.
He pointed out some buildings where some famous people live; Hugh Grant, Bon Jovi, other dignitaries and celebrities etc.
The English Countryside
The English countryside, which is quite beautiful.
Our first glimpse of Stonehenge from the bus window.
We arrive at Stonehenge and the bus driver gives a little more history. No one really knows what Stonehenge is or what it was used for. They think it is anywhere between 3000-5000 years old. They are pretty sure it was used as some kind of calendar, as the way the stones are lined up and the sun shines thru them and moves around in the circle clearly indicate this. In June (21st, the longest day of the year), some 40,000 people show up (mostly pagans) to celebrate the summer solstice.
They also believe that it may have had to do with death or burying their dead. They have found hundreds of remains to provide proof of this. Not to far away is Woodhenge. “Henge” means “hanging,”referring to the slabs across the top of the pillars. They think that Woodhenge had to do with birth, as wood is living and breathing and Stonehenge has to do with death, stone is hard, cold and not living.
We walked the grounds with our audio sets and listened to the explanations. It was absolutely fascinating to both of us. To imagine that people came up over the hills in some sort of ceremonial processional to deal with their dead. That people 5000 years ago put these gigantic stones into place without the help of machines or cars, powered only by their backbreaking labor strikes awe in our eyes. We both tend to think that man has ALWAYS had the need to worship something bigger than he is. We don’t really think people worshipped the stones themselves, but that it was a place to GO to worship, just like the Catholic churches and Mormon temples.
Eating Stonehenge
Two different rocks. The one on the left is supposedly always cooler than the one on the right.
Tim, you have GOT to stop getting your hands caught in places like this!
Goodbye Stonehenge
So, is it a place that inspires absolute awe? Or is it just a disappointing pile of rocks by the side of the road? You decide.
We traveled the 2 hours back into crappy ole London. We got off the bus and decided to walk around. We weren’t to far from Big Ben and all the other Royal stuff.
Big Ben...just kidding!
Westminster Abbey
A woman excited for the Royal wedding
Big Ben...For real
We managed to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Holy crap! Amazing architecture! Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!
The London Eye- A giant Ferris wheel in London
The London Eye
People CAMPING out in hopes of seeing the Royal Wedding processional.
I know most of you probably watched the coverage of the Royal wedding on TV, but it was amazing to BE there in the throes of all those people!
Prince William and Prince Harry came out to shake hands and the crowd went nuts!
We did see a crowd of people screaming and yelling and mashing into each other, so we ran up to see what it was all about. Prince Harry and Prince William had both come out and were shaking people’s hands! I might have gotten a picture of the tops of their heads but we were probably still a good 25 feet away from them. Still kinda cool!
More of the cowd going crazy
Buckingham Palace. It was dark and the pictures were not turning out very good withTim's camera.
Kym in front of Buckingham Palace. Yes, I am wearing running shoes with my fur coat. It was freezing. I am SO glad I brought that coat!
This is for our Cnadian friends! Love ya!
Tim kept asking me if I was disappointed that we were leaving and not staying for the wedding. First of all, anyone who knows me well, knows I am a bit claustrophobic of people. I tend to get a little panicky when trapped by people. Second, I don’t even know then Royal couple. Third, they don’t rule MY country. Why do I care if I see them? Fourth, Shaelynn is recording the coverage (I HOPE!) and we will probably see it better on TV than we would have by being in the crowds! So, no. I am not disappointed we left early. I am damn glad!
By the time we got back to our hotel, we were exhausted and ready to out of London.
A couple of funny things Brits say:
“Limp into the store…”
“Twiddle the air conditioning…”
“Cock-up” which means basically, “I messed up.”
“Bloody” is a swear word.
You don’t get off a bus, you “alight the coach.”
Friday morning-leaving London and headed for Rome Italy, where I hope and pray Tim will be happier. He loves Italy.
We got up nice and early for our flight and were out the door by 7am. We had a little breakfast but not much cuz English food is nasty.
Although we didn't stay for the Royal wedding, we can saythat we were hear for the festivities. It was everything you see on TV and more. I am glad we weren't there for the crowds on the actual day of the wedding. The day before crowds was almost to much for me to handle.
Next leg, ITALY!
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