81. Stonehenge - UK

 Just out of Salisbury, one will find Stonehenge, the Neolithic structure built around 5000 years ago. It was believed to have been a celestial clock built to track the movement of the sun, moon and stars. The burials of 58 individuals were uncovered at the site in 1919 when structural work to repair one of the horizontal stones was done. Even though it's inundated with tourists, especially in summer, it still has a magical mystical feel to us. I was last here in 1990 whilst driving my kombi van around the UK. I just drove up within 50 metres and walked right up to it. This time, I used Google Maps and it took us to the 'Stonehenge Centre' which was a huge museum with a car park for hundreds of cars and a fee of £27 each to enter and get the shuttle to the Stones. We found there was a walking track to the Stones and chose that (free) option. 

There are many theories as to how the stones got there and still today, there is no definitive answer. The sarsen stones, (sandstone) which each weigh an average of 25 tons, are thought to have been brought to the site from Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles to the north.


Feeding a local crow


The 36-tonne 'Heel Stone' made of sarsen stone stands in isolation surrounded by a small circular ditch about 100 metres from the Stonehenge Circle. It casts a shadow onto the top stone once a year indicating the summer solstice.


Another magical place ticked off the list!

From here we go to Farnham for our next sit.

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 21, 2023 at 7:15 PM

    Hi guys, I seem to remember it's strangely placed bang in the middle of a couple of highways...? 🤔
    Wishing you both a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
    Cheers from Yvette Muir 💖🌲🎉

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 21, 2023 at 8:22 PM

    It is still a wonder-filled place Paul and Max. My visit in 1985 was much as you described. So glad you got there. Cheers and have a cool Yule, Ian Mason

    ReplyDelete
  3. Annie ClarkDecember 22, 2023 at 4:19 AM

    The photos are beautiful, you can feel the crispiness of the air through the colours. How are you dealing with the cold Max and Paul? x

    ReplyDelete

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