Salisbury to Kent to Heathrow, then home

Monday 22 August
The morning was spent in Salisbury trying out the National Health Service at a Walk-In Medical Centre recommended by the hotel. As Robin then felt well enough we then drove to Folkestone in Kent. It was warm and sunny when we left Salisbury and when we were by-passing London the temperature gauge in the car reached 23 degrees but by the time we reached Kent the temperature had dropped to 16 degrees and it was raining.

Tuesday 23 August
Next morning it was still raining so we drove to Dover to look at the cliffs through the mist and rain before going to the airport to fly home. As far as we can tell the cliffs are impressive and would make quite an impression when approached from the sea on a clear day. It was too wet to stop the car and have a proper look so we can only use our imagination.

The flight home via Zurich and Hong Kong was uneventful and we arrived in Melbourne at 6 am on Thursday 24 August. Hong Kong airport must have one of the most spectacular views of any major world airport.



Stonehenge, Avebury and Old Sarum

Sunday 21 August
Stonehenge first. Much smaller than we anticipated but spent some time walking around the path surrounding the stone circle dodging people taking photographs of each other with stones in the background.

The stones are most impressive, especially when you realise how long they have been there and you can imagine how they would have held special significance for people for 5,000 years.

A ditch surrounds the circle of stones, except where a path leads directly to the stones.

As we walked around the monument it started to rain - again.
We then travelled to Avebury via the scenic route and arrived eventually. Avebury is a small village with a large circle of stones within a huge ditch. It took quite some time to wander around the site.

The huge circle of stones is surrounded by a large ditch.

We were given directions to view one of the white horses etched on a hill near Cherhill before heading off to Old Sarum near Salisbury.

Sally (our Sat Nav) decided to take us via the back rounds which somewhat extended the trip, gave Robin additional experience driving in lanes though we did pass a number of barrows including the Long Barrow  at West Kennet.
Old Sarum consists of the remains of a castle built by William the Conqueror

and also the foundation stones of the first Cathedral before the new Cathedral was built at Salisbury.

A major feature is the two large, very deep, ditches - one around the castle and the other around the entire site.

This had originally been a Neolithic site before being used in the Bronze Age, Iron Age, during Roman occupation and by the Saxons.

Salisbury

Saturday 20 August
The weather was cloudy as we drove to Salisbury. At the edge of the city we used the Park and Drive facility and took the bus to the centre of town. By this time it was cold and raining. Saturday was market day and I felt sorry for the stall holders attempting to keep their merchandise dry and also make a sale or two. We decided to visit Salisbury Cathedral  built in the 13th century, replacing the Norman cathedral built at Old Sarum - another impressive building.

The above photo was taken when we were leaving Salisbury at the end of the day - in sunshine.

Military flags and memorial to those who have served in the armed forces

Temporary art installation in and around the cathedral

In the Chapter House they had an exhibition celebrating 400 years of the King James version of the Bible and also have a copy of the Magna Carta  on display.

We then visited the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum  which had a special exhibition - Constable and Salisbury - with a number of Constable paintings borrowed from a variety of collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum. The regular exhibitions were also interesting and well presented, especially one on Stonehenge and the prehistory of the area as well as exhibitions on more recent history of the city.

When we left the museum the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Hopefully this will continue tomorrow.

Bridport and Burton Bradstock

Friday 19 August
Drove to Bridport and finally arrived after a few roadworks diversions. The local history centre is of course closed on Fridays, however at the Bridport Museum  we were given contact details to follow up back in Australia. They do have information on Shipton Gorge. It was also suggested that we should try the Dorchester Records Office which we shall also do from home. We had a good look around the museum with the area's well presented history on display.

As the sun was shining when we woke this morning it was decided to go to the beach.

Needless to say it was cloudy by the time we arrived at Burton Bradstock but we still went for a walk along the coastal path and observed how the English enjoy a day at the beach. Some brave souls even go swimming!

We then had an ice-cream and returned to the hotel. Burton Bradstock is only one and a half miles from Shipton Gorge.

West Camel and Sherborne

Wednesday 17 August
Next stop a small village called, of all things, West Camel (named after the River Cam) - staying at the Walnut Tree Hotel.

West Camel is another pretty English Village with the church, All Saints, dating back to the 900s.

There are some recently built homes but many of the buildings are old stone buildings with much character, especially with the background of green fields.

West Camel is near Yeovil and Sherborne. In the afternoon we visited Sherborne to have a look around.

The historical society was closed, of course, so as it was raining, we visited Sherborne Abbey with parts of the building dating back to 705.

It is a beautiful understated building with a major feature being the high fan shaped ceiling, muted colours on the walls near the altar and the magnificent windows.

We had a discussion about the building and challenges with researching history with Brian, a friendly guide. Buildings outside still remaining include the almshouse

and the small building where the monks did their washing.

We went for a walk around the shops and to warm up we had a hot drink and shared a large, warm, delicious Dorset cheese scone.

Shipton Gorge

Thursday 18 August
It was raining and cold once more as we returned to Sherborne to visit the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society  for some research. Shortly after we arrived we were greeted by Brian, our friendly guide at the Abbey yesterday. Some time was spent trying to resolve some of Robin's research dead ends without success but one of the researchers did give some suggestions of other societies that we could try as the county borders were transient at the time. Brian also provided some information about agricultural labourers that can be explored further. In the 1800s they were often employed for up to nine months at a time before moving to another job.

After a warm drink and sharing another warm cheese scone and a sticky date slice we had a quick walk around the outside of the Abbey before driving off to explore Shipton Gorge.

We had a look around St Martin's Church and located one Gale grave.

We then walked around the town

and finally called into the pub for a hot drink

before returning to West Camel, via Bridport, and some warmth. The temperature today reached 13 degrees.

Wootton Courtenay and district

Tuesday 16 August
Dunkery Hill overlooks Wootton Courtenay with its top, Dunkery Beacon, being the highest feature in the area. As I wanted to explore the moors we considered climbing it but it was drizzling and the path had petered out into a sport's field with no obvious continuation so decided to do some exploring by car instead. Drove to Minehead

and then to Allerford to view a small rural life museum.

From there we drove to Porlock, another seaside village, and found our way going up Porlock Hill, a steep drive up to the moors. Brilliant.

On arrival we were greeted by some Exmore ponies grazing on the hilltop.

The ground is covered with gorse and heather and other small plants.

The moor is extremely striking and a great view over Porlock Bay.

In the afternoon I climbed the small hill, Wootton Common, behind the village. On the hill there is lots of different vegetation

plus good views of Wootton Courtenay, Timberscombe and Dunster.

The walk over the hill continues to Minehead but decided not to go quite that far!

As there was nowhere to park the car at Dunster, dinner was fish 'n' chips in the car by the beach at Minehead - it was too cold to eat outside.

Bath to Wootton Courtenay

Monday 15 August
On the way out of Bath we stopped at Grosvenor Place to take photographs of the building where George  Mackillop had lived.

We then drove to Wootton Courtenay in Somerset.

We stayed at Dunkery Beacon, a bed and breakfast hotel with fantastic views of the countryside.

View from hotel window towards Dunkery Beacon.

I went for a walk to explore the village including All Saints' Church. The oldest part of the church was built in approximately 1250. The nave was rebuilt in approximately 1450 and the north nave added. During the nineteenth century the original square tower was replaced by the present 'saddleback' design.

In the cemetery surrounding the church we located some Court family graves. At the front of the church is a large yew tree dating back to the time of the Black Death.

Dinner was at Dunster, a village about 5 miles from Wootton Courtenay.

Features of the village are its mediaeval buildings including the yarn market built in 1609, castle and impressive church.