Game 2 continued

In the afternoon the WAGS went on an excursion in the car exploring the local area.

Our first stop was at Avebury to look at the stone age standing stones and ditches that surround the village. I had visited the site four years ago and found it just as impressive as on the first visit.

We then set off to visit the village of Lacock and on the way stopped to view the Cherhill chalk horse carved into the side of the hill.

The history of the horse is provided on a nearby notice-board. The horse was first carved into the hillside in 1780.

Lacock is a village that has been used in a number of films and television series including Pride and Prejudice, Cranford and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Many of the buildings are medieval structures and it is a fascinating area to explore.

We arrived back at Goatacre to see the end of the game and then attended the dinner arranged for members of the two teams. Another successful and enjoyable day.

Game 2 - against Wiltshire at Goatacre

On 8 June we left early to travel to the village of Goatacre in Wiltshire to play the second match of the tour against Wiltshire Over 60s. The game was hosted by Goatacre Cricket Club.

We were provided with a warm welcome on arrival, not just from club members who allowed us to fly the flag from the balcony,

but also from the neighbours, one of whom decorated his fence with flags.

Before the game started both teams posed for a joint photo opportunity.

Then the game began.

 The pitch at this ground generally provided a good batting wicket and Australia was one for 238 at the end of their innings. David Cordy, John Stackpoole and Graeme McIlwain all retired at 50. Wiltshire was all out for 168 after facing 40 overs. James Martin had the figures of five for 20 from his nine overs.

Robin didn't play in this match so I decided to explore the village of Goatacre. Goatacre Manor looks on to the cricket ground. It is now an aged care facility but the former owner was a farmer who donated his horse paddock for a cricket ground. His grandson was a member of the Wiltshire team.

 There are a number of thatched cottages in the village.

The village is surrounded by farms.

Part of the walk took me along the bridle path through a pretty country side.

At Goatacre's second cricket ground I even met some goats.

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.