On Saturday, the second of June, Tom and I made the trek up to Salisbury to visit the Cathedral there, and then to marvel at Stonehenge. Well, our journey was almost doomed from the start, for part of the M27 was closed, and we had to get off at an earlier exit. As a result, traffic was backed up and we didn't get to Salisbury for another 2 hours. It's a trip that should only have taken 45 minutes at most. I don't want anyone getting the impression that it's all roses over here. Actually, I think that was probably the only unpleasant thing we had to deal with, and even that wasn't so bad.
Anyway, once we arrived at Salisbury (Pronounced Saulsbury) we found a nice spot near the stairwell at a car park near the Cathedral. We walked down the high street (main street) where all the major stores were located, very touristy of course. Every store sells tea, and pictures of the queen, which is only for the tourists. The reason being that the citizens get to look at the queen everyday, because she's on all the money. Well, anyway we then came to an arch leading to the Cathedral and the surrounding area, called the Close.
The Close is basically a quadrangle that you would find on most Universities, kept well like a golf course green. The quadrangle has the Cathedral in the center, with pristine townhouses, almost estates on the perimeter, with a stone wall enveloping all the homes. These homes are occupied mostly by members of the clergy, however some are rented out at high prices, as can be imagined. A small number of the homes are owned by individuals unrelated to the church. We found out that there is a 9pm curfew to the Close, otherwise you have to get permission from one of the guards to be let either in or out. Talk about nice security. During the day, the Close to open to anyone, and you can find families, couples and friends cluttered together having picnics right next to the Cathedral. Below shows Tom standing in front of the West Front, which is the main entrance to the Cathedral. You can see the scaffolding on the left side. It seems everywhere we go has construction taking place.
Anyway, once we arrived at Salisbury (Pronounced Saulsbury) we found a nice spot near the stairwell at a car park near the Cathedral. We walked down the high street (main street) where all the major stores were located, very touristy of course. Every store sells tea, and pictures of the queen, which is only for the tourists. The reason being that the citizens get to look at the queen everyday, because she's on all the money. Well, anyway we then came to an arch leading to the Cathedral and the surrounding area, called the Close.
The Close is basically a quadrangle that you would find on most Universities, kept well like a golf course green. The quadrangle has the Cathedral in the center, with pristine townhouses, almost estates on the perimeter, with a stone wall enveloping all the homes. These homes are occupied mostly by members of the clergy, however some are rented out at high prices, as can be imagined. A small number of the homes are owned by individuals unrelated to the church. We found out that there is a 9pm curfew to the Close, otherwise you have to get permission from one of the guards to be let either in or out. Talk about nice security. During the day, the Close to open to anyone, and you can find families, couples and friends cluttered together having picnics right next to the Cathedral. Below shows Tom standing in front of the West Front, which is the main entrance to the Cathedral. You can see the scaffolding on the left side. It seems everywhere we go has construction taking place.
Once you enter the Cathedral you are asked to give a donation, and then you are free to explore the grounds. I took so many photos, I really had to edit which ones I put on here, otherwise I'd be spending the entire day waiting for all of these photos to get uploaded. I also, don't want to bore anyone. The next photo is from the courtyard within the Cathedral.
After we left Salisbury Cathedral, we headed for Stonehenge. The trip should only have taken us 10 minutes, because the site is only 9 miles from Salisbury. Well, we ended up taking the long way, and it took us a half hour. Luckily we found the proper route for our return trip. Once we got to the site, we were pleasantly surprised. It's a nice site, and one not to be missed if you ever visit the UK. However, after about 10 minutes it begins to feel a little anticlimactic, and the wonder wears off. Yet, I'm glad I did it, because the countryside makes the whole visit simply breathtaking. Here's Tom near the beginning of the walking path. No, you're not allowed anywhere near the stones. Although, Tom shared with me that on June 21st, which already passed, you're allowed to stand in the center of the stones during sunrise. Apparently the sun shines through the stones right in the center, marking the summer solstice. I think it will be a different day of the month next year, to account for the leap year, but I'm not sure. Something to save for next summer!
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