My visit to Stonehenge, a dream come true, March 12, 2006 (all images will open larger if clicked).

Bridget was a very understanding hostess and she made sure we had time to visit Stonehenge. a 1 1/2 hour drive each way from home ... it was so cold and windy, there were hunks of ice on the ground! After leaving here we enjoyed the drive and visited Norfolk, home of Arundel Castle, be sure to see those photos too! And stopped for a delicious meal at a lovely inn, complete with Yorkshire pudding and Trifle Cheesecake (to go, we had NO room after our huge meals).
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On our way to Stonehenge on a roundabout
On our way to Stonehenge on a roundabout 		On the road coming up to Stonehenge
On the road coming up to Stonehenge 		Getting closer
Getting closer 		closer yet
closer yet
A barrow (burial mound) to the far left in this shot.
A barrow (burial mound) to the far left in this shot. 		This shot shows someone on the bridge which you'll later see leads up to the Heel Stone
This shot shows someone on the bridge which you'll later see goes to the Heel Stone 		Bridget leading the way, before entering we stopped at the coffee & pastry shop, she got a Stonehenge Ring (glazed donut) I a scone with cream and jam and both of us a cup of coffee!
Bridget leading the way, before entering we stopped at the coffee & pastry shop, she got a "Stonehenge Ring" (glazed donut) I got a scone with cream and jam and both of us a cup of coffee! 		Walking up the tunnel that goes under the A344, murals on all walls
Walking up the tunnel that goes under the A344, murals on all walls
Mural of Stonehenge in the tunnel
Mural of Stonehenge in the tunnel 		At the end of the tunnel, Stonehenge to the far right in the distance
At the end of the tunnel, Stonehenge to the far right in the distance 		About now my heart was pounding
About now my heart was pounding 		Bridget gets a shot in
Bridget gets a shot in
Yes those heavy winter coats were MUCH needed, it was freezing and horribly windy!
Yes those heavy winter coats were MUCH needed, it was freezing and horribly windy! 		The rise to the right is the first shot of the Counterscarp bank, Ditch and Bank
The rise to the right is the first shot of the Counterscarp bank, Ditch and Bank 		One of the three surviving trilithons from the central sarsen horseshoe. Those black dots atop are very very large birds, bigger than the US Raven.
One of the three surviving trilithons from the central sarsen horseshoe. Those black dots atop are very large birds, bigger than a Raven. 		Close up the trilithon and birds
Close up the trilithon and birds
Absolutely amazing
Absolutely amazing 		Mary & the outter sarsen circle
Me & the outter sarsen circle 		The tallest stone at Stonehenge, the surviving upright of the Great Trilithon, which formed part of the sarsen horseshoe.
The tallest stone at Stonehenge, the surviving upright of the Great Trilithon, which formed part of the sarsen horseshoe. 		Cold and WINDY but that didn't stop us!
Cold and WINDY but that didn't stop us!
Stonehenge is truly amazing
Stonehenge is truly amazing 		another shot
another shot 		Do not cross the rope signs were throughout
Do not cross the rope signs were throughout 		Mary kneeling for a good shot
Me kneeling for a good shot
the shot I was kneeling for
the shot I was kneeling for 		Another great shot
Another great shot 		Bridget got this great shot!
Bridget got this great shot! 		Bridget and Mary, freezing but all smiles
Bridget and Mary, freezing but all smiles
more amazing with each step
more amazing with each step 		another shot
The reason for the rough and non uniform surfaces is due to being mottled with a variety of colors created by 77+ species of Lichen growing on the stones. Click for more info		 from a distance on the other side. The tallest stone now to the right of the shot
from a distance on the other side. The tallest stone now is the 3rd standing stone from the left. 		Another farther off showing the ditch and bank
Another farther off showing the ditch and bank
The walkway is a 'bridge' to not destroy the "Avenue" area
The walkway is a 'bridge' to not destroy the "Avenue" area 		Mary and the Heel Stone (right side ) notice the face etched in? Barrows in the distance.
Me and the Heel Stone (right side ) notice the face etched in? Barrows in the distance. 		Bridget with the Heel Stone (left side)
Bridget with the Heel Stone (left side) 		Heel Stone from the left side
Heel Stone from the left side
Mary taking photos of Stonehenge, barrows in the far distance above the tall tree center of photo Getting another shot of Stonehenge, barrows in the far distance above the tall tree center of photo Stonehenge with the Bank, Ditch and Counterscarp Bank visable (rut looking area between us and Stonehenge)
Stonehenge with the Bank, Ditch and Counterscarp Bank visable (rut looking area between us and Stonehenge) 		The Bank is visable in this shot, it's the 'rise' right before Stonehenge, the ditch is just before that.
The Bank is visable in this shot, it's the 'rise' right before Stonehenge, the ditch is just before that. 		Again showing the Bank, Ditch and Counterscarp bank with the Circle of sarsen stones on the right side of the shot
Again showing the Bank, Ditch and Counterscarp bank with the Circle of sarsen stones on the right side of the shot
Mary in awe, the Circle of sarsen stones, the size is overwhelming
I was in total in awe, the Circle of sarsen stones are the closest, then the Horseshoe of sarsen stones closer toward the right of the photo, the size is overwhelming 		the ditch and bank are just barely visable in this
the ditch and bank are just barely detectable in this shot 		a distance shot
a distance shot 		The "Slaughter Stone" is the rock lying flat close to the center of this shot. Called such due to when it rains, the puddles turn red from the iron content of the rock. It once stood upright.
The "Slaughter Stone" is the rock lying flat close to the center of this shot. Called such due to when it rains, the puddles turn red from the iron content of the rock. It once stood upright.
Barrows in the distance
Barrows in the distance 		More Barrows
More Barrows, and now off to Norfolk ... and Arundel Castle!