Today was a very full day and everything about it was the best - the driving scenery (I wish I could see it from the passenger seat), the sights, and the weather (England is beautiful when the sun is out). We actually got a pretty early driving start since we were warned we'd hit rush hour traffic.
Now on day three I am used to the driving. First and foremost, I could not do it without Tina (GPS) talking me through every bit of it. It is interesting being on the other side of the road - doing everything backwards - but it was smooth sailing. The majority of the roads I have driven are 2-lane, narrow, curvy and have no shoulder - with an insane speed limit of 60 mph. Of course as soon as you hit a town, you must slow to 30 - immediately. There are cameras everywhere. And then they raise it up to 70mph for a half mile stretch between 2 roundabouts - which just doesn't make any sense to me. Many of the vehicles on the roads are trucks, and plenty are even tractors. They don't pull over and there's no place to pass, not even in the towns. So you either choose to get nowhere fast or pass on blind roads with oncoming traffic at 60mph. Then, many roads barely fit 2 cars. One very large section of country road today was absolutely one-way. When a local told me she lives out there, I asked her how she drives it. She said even they are always very nervous about what might come the other way!
First we drove through a town that is the epitome of the Cotwolds - Castle Combe. Simple and beautiful. (But getting there requires tiny "one-way" roads.)
Then we went into Bath. The traffic wasn't too painful - it was our 1st bit of it since so far it has always been going the other direction.
We started with the Roman Baths. They are incredibly well done - with their layout, exhibits, audio guide, and guided tours. What makes it better than any roman ruins or baths I've ever done is that there is still a source of springs coming through (at 113 degrees F) so you don't have to leave the water to your imagination.
Next we took the free Bath city tour - extremely well done by volunteer locals. Our guide took us to see all the key places in Bath, which was great because I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
After the tour I had to go to the river to see their weir. It is mesmerizing and unique - which you know, if you saw Javer jump into it at the end of the recent movie release of Les Miserables.
Then we drive to our overnight destination - Salisbury. I got there just in time for the guided tower tour of the cathedral... It has the tallest spire in the UK. It was very interesting and completely worthwhile, with great views from the top.
Lastly we had a "private access" tour of Stonehenge after it was closed to the public. Stonehenge was the originating inspiration for my countryside adventure so it was not only exciting to finally make it there but very special that we could walk where most people never do - off the paths and between the stones of the inner circle. Very cool. What I didn't expect was the kooks who where there for spiritual worship with their incense, drums and orgasms. They were f-king nuts!
We ended our long day with a delicious pub meal - beef pie and Guinness. See, how could my day be any better?!
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