We managed to stay up until 8pm last night. I know, PARTY ANIMALS....That makes it almost 30 hours since we really slept.  We did get some sleep on the plane, as you can well imagine, you never really sleep well went you are in "coach".  So the fantastic beds at the Beaumont Inn were a very welcome sight indeed.  Fully refreshed and fed we are on our way to see some rocks.  How exciting!  These rocks are the poor cousins of Stonehenge, although no less important.  Situated in the countryside about an hour west of our hotel,  it should be child's play to find them.  White knuckles at the ready, we leave the car park.  The first bit is easy, two lane rural road just around the corner from the Wentworth Club, home of the European PGA golf championship, which was played last week.  There are still signs along the road providing directions for spectator parking, which I am admiring instead of watching the road.  I am shaken out of my daydream by the rather loud sucking noise coming from the passenger seat.  Johanne inhales all the air within the car, in an effort to make the vehicle skinnier.  We are coming dangerously close to the splendid trees on her side of the car, as evidenced by the string of vines hanging from the side mirror. Thus the aforementioned white knuckles, not mine but Johanne's, as they wrap themselves securely around my wrist to confirm my complete attention to the proper task.  Driving!

We squeeze our way on to the M4 and manage to work our way through rush hour traffic without further incident ,both outside and inside the car.  The circulation has returned to my wrist. Within 20 minutes, we find our exit which is welcoming as driving on a small road is infinitely more interesting then the motorway.  We pass through many small towns on our way.  They may not have earned a spot in the travel books but they are colorful in their own right.  The shop owners proudly displaying their personal styles with artfully painted signs or storefront windows.  England in all its glory, it is a joy to be exploring this country.

Our destination is a small village called Avebury, the home of a prehistoric henge, the largest stone circle in the world (yes, Stonehedge is smaller)!  The site, based on archaeological research, once had 400 stones forming a huge circle.  While very few of the 400 remain, you can still get the image of what must have been a magnificent site.  A museum and manor house are part of the site as well.  There remains much speculation as to the purpose of this neolithic site. Constructed in 2600 BC, it remains an important Pagan worship site today.

The stones behind us, we are heading to Wales for the next few days to explore the southern regions of the country.  A short drive and one large bridge, we arrive at Tintern Abbey.  Building started in 1131 by Walter de Clare. Lord of Chepstow.  One of two Cisterian churches in Britain and the only one in Wales.  This catholic religious order of monks and nuns is often called the white monks due to the white robes they wore.  None were around today... and the place is in dire need of some maintenance.  I guess the making of Mead wine distracted them too much.  Great poems by Wordsworth and Tennyson were inspired by this Abbey as well as many paintings by J.M. Turner.  As a ruin, it is still impressive.

They say timing is everything.  Well, we are in luck, this week is wine week in Wales.  We didn't know that Wales even had a wine industry.  There are 16 vineyards in this small country.  One of them is in the village of Tintern.  We had a little difficulty finding it.  The sign is right on the main street of the village.  The only street in the village so it shouldn't be that hard.  We make the turn and end up in the car park of the pub.  There is a small two track path leading off to the left near the entrance to the pub car park.  Could that be it?  I give it a try, it is steep, muddy and narrow.  Sure enough at the top of the hill, we are met with the shop below.

 Our tasting host and owner of the vineyard is only too happy to see us.  It has been a quiet day.  She pours us a healthy glass of the Parva white, two varietals, and a rose.  They were pleasant, fruity and dry.  We also tasted a Mead wine with flavours of Cinnamon.  Very interesting taste.  We traded stories with a couple from Yorkshire and bid our host good day.  We had an appointment at Celtic Manor.

 Celtic Manor was the home of the 2010 Ryder Cup won by the European squad.  Johanne and I are playing there this afternoon.  I am excited, Johanne is cold.  It was a great course with lots of elevation change.  Everything was going nicely until the 15th hole, where the heavens unloaded on us.  It rained, and rained and well you get the picture.  We struggled on and finished our round.  By then, I did not have one square inch of dry pants.  Johanne had fared a little better.  Still, it is not often you get to play on a Ryder Cup venue.  110 for Johanne and 80 for me.

Wet, cold and satisfied with our day's adventure, we head toward our hotel and a typical pub dinner: Fish and Chips.  Tomorrow we will explore Cardiff, the capital of Wales.

Cheers