Stonehenge Revisited

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England about 2 miles west of Amesbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred butial mounds.

Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first stones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, while another theory suggests that bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC.

The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avenury Henge. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2009 found burial remains.

I first visited Stonehenge in 1965 when you could walk among the stones right up to it. It is now fenced in since some of the stones got loose from so many people walking on he ground around it.

It is still a moving and impressive experience filled with mystery.

Jolly Old England

What a fun place to visit! London is a grand city, multicultural, sprawling, lots to do! Our city tour with a private driver took us to the tourist highlights- changing of guard at Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Marble Arch, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, as well as through many neighborhoods- Westminster, town of London, Camdentown, Russell Square

We really got a feel for the city and knew where we wanted to go back to visit more deeply. Our first stop was The British Museum  near Russell Square. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian artifacts,  the Elgin Marbles from the Parthanon, Lewis Chess Set,

Ocus Treasure

Elgin Marbles

Lewis Chess Set

New Technology/ Old Haunts

Is this where I write on my iPhone? Trying out the new technology before I leave for England next week!

My grandson and I will be in London for 6 nights, in Bath for two nights and the Cotswolds for three nights. We are both Downton Abbey fans so that's our first stop after arriving in London for a full day city tour. We plan to visit some places I went on my first trip to Europe in 1965! Susan Weisgrau Lear, my travel mate on that grand tour, and I just had lunch together to celebrate our 50th anniversary of that trip! Yaakov and I plan to visit Stonehenge, Oxford and Strafford-on-Avon which I saw all those years ago as well as many new places to be decided as we drive in the countryside.

I am looking forward to fun times with my grandson, enjoying all that England has to offer!
Cheerio!

Love of Travel

I often wonder how my love of travel was developed. When I was younger than 8, I remember having a map of the United States on the wall near the foot of my bed and I memorized the capitals. I kept a record of which states I had visited- New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania... waiting to go further north, south or west.

I saved money from my first job and left for the grand tour of Europe. In the summer of 1965, Sue Lear Weisgrau and I spent 8 weeks and $5 a day seeing the highlights of major cities. We used a Europass on trains, stayed in pensions and had a fabulous time. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of that trip this summer.

Single, I took a trip every summer- Mexico, London, Scotland. When we got married and had small children and big tuition bills, our travel stopped.  We did save to take our children to Israel several times. Luckily, Norman loves travel as much as I do and, once he retired and then I did, we have been to all 7 continents, South America four times, Asian several times... always ready for the next journey.

Next up is a new twist... travel with my grandson to England. We are both Downton Abbey fans so that excursion was a must. Yaakov has an aunt and uncle outside London where we will stay for half the trip. The other half will be around Bath and the Cotswolds, with stops to Stonehenge, Oxford, Strafford on Avon, places I visited 50 years ago. Time for another visit, wouldn't you say?

We travel to feel ourselves fully in the world, to see the world in new ways, immersed in the experience of discovery. I am so happy to be sharing that discovery with my grandson.