Travels in May

A quick update and post for today. Of particular interest and note is my recent exploration of parts of South West England. On my recent 1/2 term holidays I decided to head across to the city of Bath (in Somerset) and the nearby, and quite wonderful, Cotswolds. My visit would also encompass the ancient henges of Stonehenge and Avebury and the Neolithic Silbury Hill.

With who? Bath I toured and explored on my own, but for rest I did a bus tour with the excellent Mad Max Tours (http://www.madmax.abel.co.uk/). They are most recommended by me. A well priced and well organised day trip was perfectly supplemented by the expert monologues and anecdotes from the tour guide. His knowledge of the area really helped to improve the experience of seeing this wonderful part of England.

The Roman baths of Bath. Yes, this is indeed where the name of the city comes from. The mineral springs here predate the Romans of course and were used by the Celts, but it was the Romans who enclosed and managed them. Their wonderful engineering and architectural skills are perfectly brought to life in the natural setting of the springs.

The fan fluted ceiling of Bath Abbey. Almost as impressive a building as King's College Chapel in Cambridge.


Its Neolithic! That means very old. As you know I love history (or in this case pre-history), so I was feeling very happy to be there - to say the least. These are older then the Pyramids baby!!
And just slightly older in its origin is the much larger Stone Circle of Avebury. Not too many miles from Stonehenge. Here is a small part of the site. It really is tremendously large. Some archaeologists have termed this period of the British (as in the Island) Neolithic as the "Silly Neolithic". In otherwords what on earth would make people with fairly primitive tools and infrastructure lug around stones weighing anywhere from 10 to 70 tonnes. No really - what would? As its pre-historic we don't really know.



Part of the town of Lacock in the Cotswolds. In the height of an English Spring this is an absolutely beautiful part of the world. Timewarped 17th and 18th century style villages are set against the backdrop of lolling forested hills and some of the most expensive real-estate in England (which is saying a lot considering the prices of houses over here).

Earlier in May I also went to Brighton on the South Coast (with strange pebble beaches - too weird). I also went on a week long school trip to the Isle of Wight. I shall try to update you on these trips soon. I shall also try and give more details of other trips I have taken earlier this year.

Cheers all!

Currently Reading: Boudica by Manda Scott

Currently Watching: Extras and Rome.