In the lobby.
8.30am.
Don't have to catch the Tube til 10am.
Bit of a lazy morning.
Sunny and 23 the forecast.
Not looking so good for Bath though I don't think.
They are forecasting rain out that way.
Hello to anyone reading at 6pm Melbourne time.
( Say 'Hello' back.)

Didn't wake at 3.15am!
Yah.
Those Panadol did the trick.
Going for breakfast now!

Tube to Victoria.
Easy. I really love the Tube.
We are meeting at the Grosvenor Hotel.
Mum and Dad stayed here before the flew home.
Waited on the footpath outside The Grosvenor and talked to a few people that were also on the tour.
Then the bus arrived and off to the west, we headed.
Emily and I got the front seat!
( Pays to be quick!)
Then the tour guide told us that we were in her seat.
Hmmmm...
So we moved back a bit.

I kept seeing signs to Cardiff!
That was very disconcerting.
I want to go there!
After several attempts, managed to take a photo do a road sign.
That was enough.

It started raining as we are nearing Bath.
And it just keeps getting heavier and heavier.

There are 52 people on the bus.
It's a full tour.
We all gathered in front of Bath Abbey.
The tour guide gives us directions how to get back to our meeting point for the bus.
And then into The Roman Baths.
This was fantastic.
Because of the rain, I think.
The steam rising off the water was amazing!
We wandered, took photos, wandered some more.
It really is fascinating.
The upstairs balconies seemed to be closed because of the weather.
But it was really warm down by the water.

Then out into Bath.
It is pouring rain.
Absolutely pouring.
We get very wet.

So into a great little shop.
( I bought Peter Rabbit here last time.
Funny how you remember.)

We bought ponchos!
And off we went.
Stumbled across the 'cardigan' shop down the little arcade...
That made me grin.
And bought back many memories.
I took a photo.
I loved that shop.

Emily and I decided to separate.
I just wandered Bath really, looking at the old buildings .... and I bought an umbrella.
To try to keep the poncho dry, you understand.
I love Bath. Everywhere you look there is something amazing.
I bought some lovely silver earrings in a great little shop.
I stood inside absolutely dripping water while another lady was being served.
My earrings are either like strawberries or hearts... That shape.

We all met back ready for the bus at 4.15pm.
It was still pouring down rain and I saw a forlorn looking figure standing in the middle of the roundabout.
Emily, with a ripped poncho.
And pretty wet.
But we were all wet.
We sheltered under my new umbrella.
Sort of.
Then the drive to Lacock.

Lacock is a National Trust Village.
Many period dramas are filmed here. Harry Potter was and you could see why!
It is a magnificent old village, everywhere you look.
I picked up a small stone from the road that I am sure one of the Wizards walked on.
We had a scrumptious pub meal.
Surprisingly, there was no fire going when we walked in but all the bodies warmed up the area nicely....and then headed out into the rain to explore.
Emily led the way.
Wow!
Apart from the fantastic old buildings in the village, we stumbled across a Manor House.
Off in a paddock, with sheep grazing in front of it.
We stood and gazed through the big, old gates.
Hope the photo does it justice.
Just at the gates, there was an enormous old barn.
That's what got our attention in the first place.
We wandered the village.
Amazing thatched roofs, old, old buildings, wonderful garden.
Really strange to see modern cars on the street.
A selfie in front of the pub.

Back on the bus and onto Stonehenge.

Parked at the new Visitor Centre a mile and a half from the Stones.
It had closed for the day and there was only our bus tour there.
We would split into 2 groups of 26 and both have 30 minutes inside the circle.
We had time for a quick look in the souvenir shop and I grabbed us 2 new ponchos.
We got into a mini bus up to the site.
Emily and I were in the first group to go in.
( Never really any doubt, was there.)

This was singularly the most amazing experience EVER!
I cannot describe the emotions.
It was an overwhelming feeling.
I don't know if it was just because I was actually in amongst the stones.
But it honestly overcame me as soon as I entered the circle.
Something hits you as you enter that circle.

I walked off the path and was in amongst the stones almost before I knew it and, the thing that struck me first, was that the grass was long against the stones.
Silly thought really.
Then I looked up.
The stones are enormous and they are right there.
So many different shapes and sizes.
So many angles.
And, really, I was there right amongst the stones.
So close I could touch them.
However, we were told that the 2 things we could do in the circle was breathe and take photos.
So I didn't touch them.

There were also big large stones lying, half buried in the ground.
And, both of us really had to stop ourselves leaping on one or another of these stones to get over to another vantage point. You know, just like we did in the paddocks in Bailey Road.
Absolutely, just incredible.

We had a ball and, surprisingly, the 1/2 an hour lasted forever.
The rain stopped and we discarded the ponchos.
The light was eerie and it was foggy.
Actually the rain had turned into a very damp fog.
And we took hundreds of photos.
Some serious and gazing.
Some ' Look where we are!'
Amazing.
We had the very best time.
Unbelievable and unforgettable.
We absolutely loved every second there.

I really cannot describe it.

So, were we wet?
Yep.
Did we care?
Nope.
We were grinning from ear to ear.

Then the other group came into the circle and we had 30 minutes to look at the stones from the outside.
We had so much fun.
It was very cold.
A wind had sprung up and made wet clothes very chilly.
Ponchos back on and hugged tight around us and took photos and selfies.
And grinned.
A lot.
It was also getting very dark.
There were 2 security guards there in the fluorescent jackets and as we walked away, back to the mini bus, all you could see was the outline of the guards and these huge dark stones.

So a rather damp 2 hour ride back to London in the bus.
11pm.
We rode the tube home.
And yep, Meagan, I remember you telling me how great it was at night ... And it was.
People everywhere.
Shower.
We were going to bed.
I suggested a drink at the bar.
Hastily redressed ( drier clothes ) and here we are.
It's 12.35 am here.
Hope someone is reading this at 9.35am over there.
Put your hand up if you are.
( Andrew, thanks for the 'Hello')

Going to try to add photos now.
Quite a few to chose from.

Amazing, amazing day.
Totally exceeded expectations.

Xxxx

More photos to come...