Stonehenge & Bath

When I was in London in 2009 I decided to take a day tour to the mysterious Stonehenge and the beautiful city of Bath. Stonehenge is a circle of stones in the middle of a field surrounded by absolutely nothing other then a freeway that runs past. It is estimated that the stone structure has been around for 5000 years! There are many theories as to what the stones were used for - astrology, a solar calendar, or pagan worship. What I can tell you is the view was breathtaking. I have never seen such green in my life. The contrast of the grey stones with the luscious green grass and blue sky made for such a vision that day! I was able to take a guided audio tour of Stonehenge and a few pictures. Sadly, you cannot touch the stones unless you make an appointment before it opens (at 6 am!). Anna insists that when we there in August she'll run up and touch the stones. I hope to capture the moment as she is being chased around the stones by the security guards. Should be fun!

After Stonehenge, we drove onward to the city of Bath. What a storybook town! I wish I could have stayed longer there! Bath contains the ONLY hot spring in all of England. When the Romans occupied England they built a bath house over the spring where the upper class Romans can take their baths. Later, these ruins were uncovered and to the surprise of the English the original baths still worked and held water. There is a "Pump Room" next door to the Roman baths. This is where all "polite" society would gather to "take the waters" and socialize. People from all across England would come to Bath to drink the mineral water in hopes of improving their health and also for the entertainment. I paid $5 to try the water - I spat it out. It was lukewarm by the time it gets to the fountain to drink and it reminded me of the passage in Revelations of the lukewarm church. 

For those of you who are Jane Austen fans Jane Austen lived in Bath for quite some time and some of her novels (such as my favorite Persuasion) are partly set in this beautiful town. I cannot wait to go back and explore this lovely place that looks like it was trapped in time. The surrounding landscapes are breath taking. Bath also has the last remaining Gothic Church in England. All of the buildings, including the newer ones, are built from a warm sand colored stone that gives the town its charming storybook feel (and the cobbled roads). I can't wait to go back!