EIS – To Brighton (Day 23)

EIS – To Brighton (Day 23)

(9/9/2010)  We drive today to Brighton on the English Channel.  Over the last couple of days, a number of people on the tour asked about our stop at Stonehenge.  The response was that we have a drive by view.  A number of people, including Carmen and me, have requested a stop for half an hour instead of stopping longer at another stop.  When we leave Plymouth this morning, it is a little foggy making one of only a few mornings we’ve had rain or fog.

So, with so many asking to stop, we will have a half hour stop to view Stonehenge.  When we get to Stonehenge there are many crows or black birds sitting on and flying around the stones.

We took pictures from the road over a chain link fence.  Carmen is shorter and didn't quite clear the top of the fence.  I did not think I had enough time to go around the site and take pictures in the time allotted, so I did not pay to get closer.  Understand you cannot get close to the stones, only walk around a walk way. 

In either case, I was stupid not to pay the money to go around, live and learn.  Anyone going to Stonehenge should pay the money and go around; it’s a bit of money just to see some rocks, but the history!  Beside, you’ll get pictures from all the angles.  Bring a wide angle lens. 

Our pictures are only from the northeast side, outside of the fence.  If you are tall enough, you can stand on a small hump between the dirt walkway and the road.

The “heel stone” is close to the fence and during the solstice casts a shadow into the center of the stone ring.  You can see the stone clearly next to the road from the satellite picture here: Stonehenge_view .  (You might have to click on satellite.  Or use whatever satellite viewer you wish and search for Stonehenge.) 

Also you can see the parking lot just north of the site.  The white strip along the road is where we walked, between the fence and the road.  The fence is about five and a half feet high, just high enough for me to see over, but not Carmen.  Carmen's pictures are throught the fence.  (I’ll have more pictures of Stonehenge after the last day posted for the trip.)  Here you can see the walkway inside the fence where you would walk if you paid the price of admission.  It is only about 25 feet away from the fence.

Our time at Stonehenge was over quickly and we hopped into the coach and after a short drive stopped in Salisbury for lunch.  Here is the Salisbury Cathedral a gothic building. 

We went inside and looked around.  There are people buried here from the 1050’s.  Some of the stone and artwork is extraordinary. 

Back outside we get a closer look at the front door and the statues and ornamentation. 

Leaving Salisbury we skirt by Portsmouth and head to Arundel.  Arundel as in many of the cities and towns we have visited or passed by has a castle.  The Arundel Castle sits atop a small hill and was open to the public.  However, we did not have time to walk through. 

Across the street from the castle entrance, the remains of an old Abby sits next to the river.

We did not stay in Salisbury for very long, mostly for a comfort stop and we soon back on the road.  Not much time later, we are in Brighton.  We stayed in a hotel across the street from the beach and boardwalk.  This is a typical seashore resort town with a “boardwalk”, actually made of cement and brick. (This is the lower walkway taken from the upper walk.)

There is an upper walk and a lower walk.  The lower walk has shops built in below the upper walkway.  While we were walking around most everything was closed up.  I can immagine how many people would be here on a weekend.

Until later, Bob and Carmen – EIS.