England Log #6 - June 15, 2000

 June 15, 2000

Thursday

Today is my day of confusion.  Or at least this train stuff is confusing.  Had a nice breakfast with Greg (got his name this time) this morning.  It's strange how I'm so grateful for another isolated traveler to commiserate with.  Particularly another American.

Got a call this morning from the airport -- that Northwest Airlines has somehow gotten my bags and they've not been able to contact anyone there because all Virgin has is an automated [phone] number from Northwest.  How my bag got from Delta to Northwest they can't tell me.  My luck, NW will end up sending my bag to London, KY or something.

He was asking me for some description of the bag's contents and all I can think of is my umbrella.  It hasn't rained yet, but I'm waiting.



Went to Paddington [station] with my three day pass this morning, where they told me it needed validation at Picadilly Circus.  Since my 3-day underground pass had expired, I bought a 1-way there.  Then I got to Picadilly, waited in one line, they told me to go to #39 (something like that) Picadilly Street - so I went there.  Turns out my rail pass has to be used within 8 days, so I'll have to buy a direct pass back instead of using the one I have.  Anyway, from Picadilly they told me that I'd have to catch my southbound train at Victoria (another 1-way tube pass).  I stood in the lines (longer ones this time)  to find out 1. Which train to take (refer to picture of boards @ station) and 2. How to use my ticket because everyone else was using a card.

ll me to get on the Clapham Junction train, where I can switch to Salisbury (which everyone keeps correcting me on the pronunciation of).  So I switch trains at Clapham Junction -- turns out I get on the wrong one.  So here I am at Woking, waiting for the SaWlsbUry train.  The people on the Clapham train were very nice, though.  They wanted to hear all about where I'd been and where I was going.  Got me out of the self-pity & tears I'd been wasting.  I was just so tired being redirected.  I've also had problems sleeping in the noisy city, so am tired anyway.

Well, Salisbury & Amesbury were two excellent calls on my trip, in spite of the headache at the rail stations. I did finally get on the right train to Salisbury (which I thought was going directly to Amesbury, btw).  I had enough time before the bus to run over to Salisbury Cathedral and oh!  how glad I am that I did.  I shot nearly a whole role of film there, it is magnificent!  Truly, it looks as if it were built by the gods, themselves.  (or at least the One magnificent God) Refer to pictures.

Ran close to missing the bus to Amesbury, but I pulled tight shifts [transfers between rides] most of the day.  [Once there] I checked into the hotel, but couldn't figure how to get to the bus station in Amesbury, so I asked for walking directions to Stonehenge.  I'm so glad I did!  It was about a two mile walk, which I did in about an hour.  Walked up a horse trail, between sleep pastures, took the left fork to the top of the hill.  I kept expecting to see the henge when I got to the top of a hill, then didn't.



Finally, I was to the point of if it wasn't there I must have gotten myself lost and would have to turn back.  - I couldn't see much of anything at first, just a lot of parked cars.  However, being a Pennsic veteran, parked cars equals big event, equals that's where Stonehenge must be!  And it was.  Shrouded in the lightest haze and easy to overlook or walk by if you had been an ancient food-walker.

There it was, near the crest of a hill, standing alone and isolated even amongst all the people milling at a respectable distance.  I'd come across stone in the path, which seems to be smoky quarts of obsidian -- makes me wonder if that is part of the reason for the heightened spiritual sensitivity many claim in this area.

-- Again, more pictures. -- 

First view of Stonehenge from the Kings Mounds in the woods.  Tiny movements around the stones are people.  Barely visible.

Enjoying seeing as I got closer, how small the people continue to appear!

This image really captures the feeling of my first vision of the stones - The light in the heavens opened up & the mists parted to show me the holy place.

Looking back toward the path where I could first see the stones.  The mounds are in the woods.

A woman stood outside the stone circle -- almost in a meditative trance, as she prayed to her gods.

I took the bus back.  Poor body was tired after today's chaos & abuse.  Ate american tonight - steak & potato.  Doesn't help though, I know I've got a bit of a cold.  I should be eating soup instead.  A good way to cut back on some of my spending.

Down side of things.  This thing with the luggage is really starting to piss me off.  Virgin's been pretty helpful, but are not just seeming pretty inept -- and Delta has irritated me to absolutely no end.  But what can I do right now?  Nadda.