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Beyond Stonehenge

Monday 4th December 2006

It was a late Autumn Saturday and the sun was shining. The temptation to have an adventure was too great to resist. The camera was packed, the map was snatched, the route was planned.... and off we went.

The A303 isn't a bad drive really. It's quite a pleasant journey for most of its length, but I've done it so many times that it bores me to tears at the moment. Well, my partner passed her driving test last year, so I took the opportunity of dozing in the passenger seat while we made our way towards our first stop: Stonehenge.

I have to admit, I've never once paid to enter this monument. It's just... wrong. The chainlink fence, overflowing carpark and crowds of foreign tourists make it an experience that I'm reluctant to hand over cash for. On this occasion, we couldn't even find a place to park. Not exactly value for money - especially at the inflated price. However, we'd joined English Heritage earlier in the year, so this visit was essentially a freebie.

Despite an entrance that feels more like a crossing point on the Berlin wall, it's still hard not to be sucked in by the grandeur of the stones. I was soon snapping away and enjoying the creative experience that photography brings to every site visited. Perhaps it's the enclosed world of the viewfinder, but it's somehow easier to forget the world around you when composing shots.

We didn't linger long. There's still something to be gained from a visit to Stonehenge, but that something is quickly exhausted. After a making our way back to the drove where we'd parked - which was now full! - we made our way back across the A303 towards Old Sarum.

This is a site I should really have visited sooner. It's one of those places that photos just can't do justice to. Despite the lack of larger ruins, the scale of the earthworks and the striking landscape really add an impressive air to this place. We really soaked up the atmosphere wandering around in the warm November sun, stalking the tops of the embankment and gazing out over the surrounding lands. It was easy to imagine a bustling community here.

Once we'd had our fill, we made for the small English Heritage shop and went on a bit of a spending spree. EH now seem to be a carrying a really great range of wines and liquors, as well as pickles, chutney and jam. It was hard to resist! I was also tempted into buying the first guidebook that I've considered worth the purchase for some time. The only thing that spoiled our experience here was the constant circling of small aircraft from the nearby airfield. The shop assistant advised that this was a regular feature.

Onwards to Salisbury, we took advantage of the park and ride and entered the city centre by bus. It's not the finest city in the world, but the medieval buildings make it worth a look. And of course there's the cathedral, which was the main reason for my visit. Despite visiting previously, I'd never caught the West front in decent light. As West fronts go, for my money, it's the second best in the country. Nothing can really give Wells a run for its money though.

Well, the weather held and I got some pictures. The dying evening sun cast a golden glow on the front of the cathedral as it sunk below the line of buildings opposite. With that done, we had a wander round the interior and then finally ventured out to amble around the shops for a final hour. Eventually, our appetites drove us towards Ask for an evening meal - always a good reserve option for vegetarians in an unknown town! A couple of beers later, we were heading back down the A303 with my partner (bless her!) once again at the wheel, with me snoozing away the journey as a passenger. Ah well, it's not as though I don't do my share! I made up by buying her a drink at the pub upon our return.......