Stonehenge

After visiting Avebury we made our way to Stonehenge which I hadn't been to since I was a toddler (in the years before they stopped access into the circle itself; this was due to both vandalism and to protect the history). We passed Silbury Hill on the way but didn't climb to the top:

It was absolutely heaving and at this point I was very jealous that my parents were members as their queue was really quick and short! I also discovered that it would have been a good idea to pre book to reduce the waiting time... Luckily for me my parents brought me my lunch whilst I was waiting to keep me going... Then we had to wait for the shuttle bus to the stones (you can walk the just over a mile but a) I had paid £17.50 and wanted my moneys worth b)  after walking around Avebury some folks needed a sit down!). The bus drops you where the old A303 used to pass close by the circle:

As members for a free audio guide my son kindly lent me his one. There were numbers all the way around the enclosure and you just played whichever one was on the plaque. Lots of folks just went to the nearest point but I made sure we went right the way round:

It was a beautiful day to be visiting this historic site:

Of course the circle is built to fit the Midsummer and Midwinter suns. There is a very obvious plaque to show where the Midwinter sun sets:

This helps you line up for the right photo:

I wish I had taken my selfie stick out of the car as it was so hard to get the right angle:

At least being on the quieter side it was easier to get a clear shot of the stones:

We had another go at trick photography but it was harder in the crowds:

A truly magnificent site but I would recommend going in the winter when its less busy! Apparently 1 million visit a year and the coaches all come out from London about lunch time so get there early.