Well this morning was very interesting. Rae had not even heard of Glastonbury so it came as quite a surprise to her. I found the place quite moving, the sense of history is so real. I think the guide book says it all, "a Christian sanctuary so ancient that only legend can record its origin." just for GM here is a shot of Arthur's burial site. There are actually two markers, one in the old cemetery where the monks found the bodies in 1191, and the site inside the choir of the great church where the remains were reburied in 1278 with Edward I as witness. The Museum is very well laid out and quite informative. The map showing the Abbey's properties in the surrounding area and further afield give a very good idea of what Henry was after. In wealth, the Abbot of Glastonbury (not that he owned anything) would have ranked quite high on the social scale.

Still quite cold this morning, but I'm begining to feel human again. We moved on and after stopping in to Frome to stock up on Gluten Free food for Rae at the Sainsbury's super store we were off to Amesbury and Stonehenge. (I must get around to constructing my little model when I get home.)
We didn't linger too long at stonehenge, it is surprising how cold it can get when the wind gets a good run up at you.

Thursday, an interesting drive down from Oxford to Glastonbury, with a look at Bath on the way. The Roman remains are quite impressive, we even saw an archeologist at work. They are still excavating whenever they can get the chance. Like most places here there is interesting stuff under just about everything. The forcast for the weekend has gone all cold and miserable on us so we may find somewhere to hole up and have a day off on Saturday. Hope to get to Salisbury for Sunday.

Well we got back from Germany in one piece, had a day off then picked up our Avis hire car then off to the West. The weather has not been cooperative at all, cold and damp. Evidence you say well cope this! Yes, that is the Uffington White horse, visible from about twenty meters. The most sensible place to be is somewhere warm and dry.

It took a little while, but we found somewhere.
Had some nice pigeon breast for Lunch. We have been sticking to the side roads most of the time just to soak up the scenery. The distances travelled are really quite short, but then the daylight is also in short supply as well.

Much to Gil's annoyance we didn't spend much time in Oxford. It was too cold and damp to spend much time on foot. Oh, bye the way If anyone hears me complain about roundabouts back home they have my permission to give me a good kicking. We have encountered roundabouts nesting in roundabouts, with traffic lights in them. I'm not sure who is responsible for the Oxford ring road, but the parliamentary forces will never find their way in. Mind you, the Royalists will never find their way out either.

Berlin! Our very nice Hotel was just down the street from Check Point Charlie right in the center of the city. There is still a lot of building going on as old buildings destroyed during the war are rebuilt. There is even a plan to rebuild the old Hohenzolleren palace, the remains of which were destroyed by the Communists in the 50s it is due to be finished in 2015. The statue! Guess who?

Very cold, ice on the ground and patches of snow here and there.

Ahh, Paris! Grubby, smelly, and full of dog turds on the streets. At least there was Les Invilades. Rae was very taken with the suites of armour, and the new de Gaul display. The city itself is very expensive, and in the public areas you very quickly learn to answer 'non' when asked if you speak English. There are what seems like hundreds of femals of indeterminate eastern european origin who approach anyone who looks English wanting you to read their sad tale on the grubby bit of paper. The French seem very security consious at the moment, police and armed troops at most sites. Sirens at all hours, as Alphonse rushes down to the patiserie to get their dinner. One of the first things that struck me was the difference between the security announcements. Britain; Any unattended baggage may be removed and possibly destroyed! France; Any unattended baggage will be destroyed! Germany; Unattended baggage? What unattended baggage? The Gypsies stole it!

We have been out of touch for a while so our posts are a bit out of step. York (Yorvik) was brilliant. The city walls are a bit dodgy, and the mout could do with a clean up. Very chilly but dry.

After York we returned to London for a couple of days and then off the Paris and Berlin.

Vercovicium

Those of you who are avid film goers may recognise this tree! It is the "Oak tree in Sherwood forest" that Kevin Costner and friend were sitting in during the opening scenes of Robin Hood prince of thieves. In reality it is a Sycamore tree very near Housesteads on the Wall. The Joke is not lost on the locals.

Ediburgh

Well we made it to Edingurgh safely, the hotel is excellent. The day after our arrival we went down to Holyrood palace, and then up to the Castle. As we crossed the car park it started to snow! Here is Rae almost beside herself with excitment, you can make out the snow flakes on her jacket and of course one landed on the camera lens. Very cold, but we had a great time.

We have been busy over the last few days. We have visited the British museum, and much more interestingly the Museum of London. The big surprise for me was the samll size of the Battersea sheild. Yesterday we went down to Greenwich. I'll posty a photo later.