The West Country

For the last several days I have been driving (!!!!!!!!) through the "West Country." Internet availability is almost non-existant here. Right now, I have 14 minutes (it took a minute of my time just to log in) at the Salisbury Public Library in which to make an entry on this blog--oops, make that 13 minutes. Here's just an overview of travel since last Saturday.

Windsor--stayed two days in the small town that is home to the largest occupied royal residence in the world. Visited the castle, of course, and saw its fabulous art collection, collection of gifts from around the world to the English crown, and the royal reception areas. The changing of the guard came with a full regimental band because the queen and royal family were spending the week here too.

Winchester--the ancient capital of Enland, the cathedral keeps the remains of Anglo-Saxon kings of the past. Really a fine city tour with a guide who lectured on subjects from the Iron Age settlements to the Medieval through the Renaissance. The 12th-century hall has been home to King Arthur's Round Table for more than 600 years--it's mounted on the wall. A huge table weighing several tons, it was painted in green, red, and white (the Tudor colors) in 1522 when King Henry VIII wanted to impress the visiting Pope with a connection to this famous king. Poet John Keats once walked along the River Itchen--we took his path. Jane Austen lived right outside of town, and died in a house near the cathedral--the visit to her home was splendid, of course. Lots of other great sights to see in Winchester--the old city gates, bishop's house, Medieval mill house, old coach houses, the oldest pilgrim's hospital in Europe--many buildings and locations dating to the age of King Alfred the Great in the 870s--could have spent a week.

Salisbury--the cathedral has the tallest spire in Europe--we walked to the top of the tower for a wonderful view of the Medieval city. The entire cathedral surround was filled with historic homes, buildings, and an archeological museum. Found the little church in which poet George Herbert preached and wrote--the rectory in which he lived and died is just next door.

I'm timed-out for now. Going to Stonehenge and Avesbury today.