Durdle Door, Stonehenge and Avebury

After being in London and travelling for a number of days we probably should have taken this one easy but with limited time and booked accommodation we forged on. We have seen a great deal of the southern country side now and it is surprising how flat it is.

We headed to Dorset to Durdle Door, Sue's choice of the day. This is the Jurassic coast line near Lulworth. It was worth the 90 minute drive. We haven't seen much of the natural beauty of England but this certainly ranks up on the world stage. 

From the car park high up on the surrounding cliffs we walked down a long path. Near the bottom this involved a steep decent onto the sandy beach below. There are a number of caves around the bay which Sophia and Julia loved to explore. Luckily they were very short.

It was nice to just go for a walk and enjoy the natural surroundings. Its been a while since we have done this and it is quite relaxing.





Next we went in search of Sophia's favourite for the day, Stonehenge. Sophia had seen a documentary recently and was able to give us a running commentary. It was run by the English Heritage. We were treated with respect as we have a membership card. I believe the staff are all voluntares and with the masses of crowds certainly have a hard job. They must fund the rest of their country wide operations from this one place with a mass of money being paid by so many foreign tourists.

Last time Sue and I came we only stood at the fence line to view. Getting much closer now the atmosphere is quite real. Just to stand at the nearest point and observe the massive rocks planted there over 5000 years ago. Apparently they were dragged from south Wales 200 miles away. The rocks were literally planted and a third of each lies in the ground.

Holly was not quite so taken by the place and marched off looking for the exit. Usually we have to drag her along or carry her but I think all this walking is paying off for her fitness.

Our last stop was my favourite, Avebury. Located twenty miles north of Stonehenge. It is 4500 years old and less of a tourist destination as it is more spread out so it is impossible to charge people. After various groups took away some of the massive rocks Alexander Keiller purchased all the surrounding land in the early 1900's re-erecting some and replacing

others with smaller stones. The original had a dirt wall and ditch still seen today. There is a massive ring of rocks surrounding a smaller ring of rock on the inside. Its also know for the children's TV series "Children of the Stone".