July 25 – Stonehenge and Windsor Castle

We were picked first thing this morning by our driver for the hour and a half drive to Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plains.  We had some rain on the way out but by the time we arrived it had stopped…thank goodness.  It was rather windy on the open plains and  rain would not have been good. 

Our driver waited in line to get our pre-booked tickets and we wandered over to see the small huts/buildings.  These were built in the style of the homes some 4,000 years ago.  Very simple. 

There was also a massive stone on a sledge, which is how they think the stones were moved.  There was a great rope attached and one could try to move the stone.  Liam tried very hard.  Without much luck.

Then we caught the bus up to Stonehenge.  

From the hilltop you could see the burrows (burial mounds) that stretched all the way around the stone structure.  People wanted to be buried within sight of Stonehenge.

We also spent a bit of time in the souvenir shop where Liam bought a candy bar and a wooden knife. 

Some nearby hay stacks.

Then it was an hour or so drive to the town of Windsor.  We found a place for a quick sandwich and then headed to the castle.  The line to Mary’s Doll House was pretty massive and Liam, being a 12-year-old boy, wasn’t interested in a doll house anyway so we skipped that and went straight to the State Apartments.  Unfortunately, no photos were allowed in the massive, ornate, and beautiful rooms.  But we all enjoyed it.  Even Liam.

From there we wandered through the castle grounds...

down to St George’s Chapel for a walk through.  Found the tomb of Henry the VIII and George VI and the Queen Mother (Queen Elizabeth’s father and mother).  By then it was closing time, so we waited while the driver went to get the car and then we were off back to London.

For dinner we wandered down to a nearby shopping area we had discovered earlier and picked out an Italian restaurant.  They had very good pizza.  So, if we are back in the area we will try Da Mario’s again.