The visit to Stonehenge was quick.. but how much time do you really need to walk around a pile of rocks? It was great to be able to see it, but you can't go up to it anymore, and instead, visitors are corralled around a walking path; yeah, it's still close, but just not the same as being able to touch the stone.
We then ventured off to Winchester, which lay about a half-hour away. Now, I didn't really do much in Winchester (though I would have loved to) because I ventured to Chawton House - Jane Austen's home for the later part of her life. After figuring out tickets, and getting on bus - which by the way did not have any listing for stops - we were dropped off in the middle of nowhere at a traffic circle, Chawton Roundabout. Thank goodness for friendly bus drivers and well-posted traffic signage. It was, luckily, only a few minutes walk to the nearby town, where the house is neatly situated on a corner.
If you've ever imagined what it would be like to visit the home of your absolute favorite historical hero, multiply it by a thousand and that's what it actually feels like. It was so awe-inspiring to walk in her footsteps, to see her room, and to touch the walls. I wanted to move in, and live there forever... but with air conditioning.
We traveled back to town and headed for Winchester Cathedral, where Jane is buried. But, if you didn't already know, everything in this country shuts down at 5:30... everything. And the church was technically closed to tourists for evensong as we made our way in. So we snuck in. I couldn't help it, I had traveled so far and I had to see it. I placed my flower on her marker, and we made our way out - quickly.
The next day we ventured to Dover Castle and Canterbury - no side trips or sneaking around, I promise. Dover Castle was interesting, and such a beautiful view from high up on the white cliffs. Built in the 12th century, some of the tunnels were modified into secret war rooms during World War II. I ventured through the tower, and around the grounds taking in all the history.
The later part of the day was spent in Canterbury, where I visited the famed Canterbury Cathedral, well-known as the site where Thomas Becket was killed. A shrine stands at the spot, and a candle constantly burns in the crypt. The tombs of the Black Prince, and Henry IV are also here.
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