We had the full English before leaving Burley Manor.  For those that have not experienced the full English, let me explain....breakfast starts with a visit to the breakfast bar.  There you can choose from a variety of cereals, toast, jam, juices, coffee, tea, croissants and fruits.  Once you are nicely sorted, the waiter will take your order for the hot choices. This morning, Johanne had the crepes, a healthy stack liberally anointed with rich double cream and jam. No maple syrup.  It didn't last long and there was no offer to share, so it must have been good. I had the usual. Medium poached egg, two rashers of bacon, two small sausages, roasted tomatoes and baked beans.  This all star line up is always offered with a brown sauce. I pass on brown sauce, thank you.  I think the brown sauce is HP.   The bacon in England is so good, not fatty, very lean like our back bacon, which I now know we stole from the Brits.  The sausage is also lean.  It is a big meal, I love the full English!!!!

OK back to business.  In order to get to Stonehenge, we must travel through Salisbury. We decide to make a stop and we are glad we did. The town is really beautiful, the cathedral is a work of art.

As we toured the cathedral, we were witness to something unique.  Nicholas Pope's famed work of art called" the Apostles speaking in Tongues Lit by their own Lamps".  How is that for a title.... This group of 33 Terra cotta figures is a re-enactment of events described in the New Testament where the Holy spirit came amongst the apostles in the form of a cloven fire.  The lighting of the lamps is done once each day, we were there to witness it.

This pic of engineering marvel below is the mechanics of what is believed to be the oldest working clock in existence.  Built in 1382, this clock has no hands, the weights are designed to ring the church bell once each hour.  The clock is wounded daily and keeps excellent time.

Salisbury is only 8 miles from Stonehenge, yet it feels like another planet. I am sure you are all aware of this historic site and the many different theories as to its meaning and purpose.  Most believe the site was a burial ground and/or a ritual pilgrimage location.  The circular stone structure is also considered a healing site.  Some of these huge stones arrived here from Wales.  That is an incredible distance to move some rocks, not to mention it was done between 3000 and 2000 BC!  Arthurian folklore has Merlin wielding his magic powers to move the rocks from Ireland. The rocks having been brought to Ireland by giants.  No mention of aliens at the museum, but one really has to wonder....was this a landing platform? Lots of questions, no definitive answers.

The experience is worth the visit. Arriving at the info center, you pick up your radio for the self guided tour, from there you can walk to the site or ride the trolley. We chose the latter, it looked like rain.  It takes a good 1.5 hours to go through the tour, the radio guide is well thought presented and informative. Still, no mention of aliens. Can you say government conspiracy?

Winchester cathedral.  Who sang the song that became a number 1 hit in 1966?  This town has a very prestigious postal code, being one of the most highly regarded places to live in England.  Which of course equals expensive.  Forget about parking anywhere inside the city walls, unless you live there, it is forbidden.  We tried, there are ample spots, and ample parking police, just hoping and praying that some poor sod, aka us drooling at the prospect of an ideal spot, will take the chance. Cha-ching go the city coffers each time the ticket gets handsomely pasted on the wind screen.  70 pound sterling later one realizes it it much better to walk!

The clock that you see below is known as the curfew clock.  Each night at 8pm, the clock would chime, letting the villagers know it was time to put out the  fires.  It served as a great fire prevention tool.  It would also make it difficult to arrive home late from the pub using the old adage, "I lost track of time". It still rings to this day.

The house above was Jane Austen's home.  Modest for such a famous author. Jane died in Winchester, and is buried at the cathedral.  Johanne is happy now,  the whole Greenway incident, a distance memory.  For those that missed it, we looked, unsuccessfully, for Jane's summer home on the coast a few days ago.  Finding Jane's last home softened Johanne's disappointment.

This is the entrance to the Great Hall, where the knights of the round table would meet.

The knights table hangs on the wall inside the hall.  It is not the original, however it does date from the 13 century.

The only problem with this visit is, I am know stuck with the song "Windchester Cathedral" bouncing around in my head.  I bet a few of you will be hearing it now too. Hahahaha!!

Onward to Portsmouth, our stop for the night.  At least we hope...for the first time on this trip we are going to wing it for hotel accommodations..

Be well

Cheerio