Haste ye Back! - May 12th

I cannot believe the amount of sadness I feel right now - heavy heart. Let it rain - release my pain. Part one of our journey is coming to a close. People we have come to know are moving away to their own lives. Some we will miss tremendously, others not so much.

We did have a contact sheet where everyone who wanted to participate could provide addresses and emails, but that won't be the same.

Again our trip today was rushed - off like a herd of turtles - five minutes late thanks to James.....again! I overheard our tour director saying that this behaviour was impolite and he thought the reason James travelled alone was that no one would travel with him.

Our first stop today was Bath, known as the City of Blooms. We both enjoyed the city, however we didn't sample the often times sulphuric mineral waters as was done in the days of yore, to cure any number of ailments. (aside from Leslie....for me it is only Shandy's from now on to cure what ails me)

The garden gate was closed and locked but we could see into it over the stone wall that surrounded it.

When the Saxons came in and settled this area, they became identified by the region they settled. The Western Saxons lived in Wessex; the middle territory became known as Middlesex; the Southern Saxon area was known as Sussex and the Eastern Saxons lived in Essex. What were Northern Saxons called? They weren't - they died out since they had Nossex.

On the way to Stonehenge we listened to the Best of British Brass CD. The skies stayed clear while we quickly took photos, breaking open as we pulled away from the parking lot - a deluge of water such as hasn't been seen since Noah's time.

True to its name "the Breadbasket of England", the Salisbury Plains resembled the shape of a basket. This area is rich with all forms of agriculture, great grazing land to cereal crops - oats, barley and wheat - sheep, cattle, and pigs. Of note, the fields were dotted with tiny igloo shaped structures known as "pigloos". The reason for the use of shelters is that these pigs are raised out of doors. (aside from Leslie: it is no wonder the bacon over here tastes like the bacon of my childhood!) The pigs, for the most part, were as large as full grown sheep, the odd creature being larger than that.

We stopped in Salisbury for lunch, choosing to go to the open market down the street where we boosted the economy one more time - Hurray for us! (aside from Gloria-Rose: Jack, sell another cow before the VISA bill comes due!)

The spire of the Salisbury Cathedral stands well above the horizon and no one seems to know the exact height although there is no disputing it is the tallest spire in England. Claims range from 386 to 420 feet. The church was built in the Early English Gothic style and only took 38 years to complete. This is a relatively short span considering the York Minster took 252 years. This short time span allowed the cathedral to maintain a continuity of architectural style not found in the other cathedrals we visited.

This was our last stop. From here we travelled quickly down the highway, making record time. As the bus pulled to a stop outside the hotel our tour guide bid us farewell using the Scottish phrase "Haste ye back!" (which means come back soon) He quickly added "If you can't come back - just send the money."

We bid a quick teary eyed farewell to our fellow travellers, tour guide and of course the bus driver (aside from Gloria-Rose: Kris, I was watching this part very carefully to ensure the safe return of your sister) who in full English style kissed the back of Leslie's hand and Gloria-Rose's cheek.

Now we are left on our own to fill our afternoon and evening. We are already looking forward to the morning and the next leg of our adventure in the Cotswolds.

Sorry folks. Once again we are not able to add photos at this internet cafe.

Cheers!