Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Travel Wednesday - Henged


A drive across the windswept Salisbury plains brings you to a cluster of rocks that have created speculation for centuries.  How did a civilization over five thousand years ago create Stonehenge?

Theories abound as to whom, why and how.  The when, thanks to today’s technology appears to be around 2300 BC.  Let me tell you, those were so big rocks to move to the middle of nowhere by grunt force.

The decision on ‘why’ continue though.  A calendar for the ancients? A burial site for the first royal dynasty? A place of worship and sacrifice?  The work of the Druids?  

I can’t say for sure either, but I do know when I visit Stonehenge there is energy.  Walking among the stones (there are limited, special tours that takes you into the circle), touching certain ones (which is now a no-no) as you once could, the sensations that flowed through my body left me light-headed with the sensation of almost floating.

But whether you feel something or just marvel at the amazing accomplishment of moving the massive stones for miles by a civilization that didn’t have today’s technology and tools, if you make it to England a trip to the Stonehenge is worth the time.
 
This is a shot of the Henge taken at sunrise close to the Winter Solstice.  The sun lineup is amazing! I was very lucky to catch this.

20 comments:

Sharon Ledwith said...

Honestly, it was the Atlantean refugees that create Stonehenge. It's a no-brainer. Wink. Great post, Lizzie! Love your travels!

Lizzie said...

Thank you, Sharon...great theory...LOL

I love my travels too! Counting down for the trip this summer!!!

Unknown said...

I would love to see this place! Amazing!

Rita Monette, Writer said...

Wow, I'me fascinated with this ancient history (or lack of). Did they say why you can't touch the stones any longer? Did some folks actually pass out or float away? Inquiring minds want to know.

Lizzie said...

Totally AMAZING, Sara!

Lizzie said...

The reason you can't touch the stones any longer Rita is due to the damage done to the moss that grows on them.

In fact, a re-routing of traffic is being discussed (or possibly underway now) to cut down on the carbon monoxide exposure too.

Sloane Taylor said...

LOVE your posts, Lizzie, and always look forward to Wednesday.:)

Lizzie said...

Thanks, Sloane. Good thing I took a few pictures wandering around the globe.

Sam Cheever said...

Great post and the picture is incredible. I have to admit to a complete fascination with Stonehenge, which probably started when I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. There's just something magical about the concept of the stones. Thanks for sharing!

Lizzie said...

Thank you, Sam. Glad you enjoyed the picture. I haven't made to the Scottish circle Diana used to kick off the time travel in her Outlander series. Gee, maybe I could get in a trip on top of trip with a visit there...*g*

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the post Lizzie. I grew up in Wiltshire and remember going on school trips to Stonehenge. I don't think we really appreciated the magic at that age. We were just excited at a day away from the classroom .

Lizzie said...

Sounds normal for all school children, Susan. A day out anywhere is better than sitting in the class room!

Vonnie said...

Clever of you to catch the winter solstice. When we went it was mid morning and I was awed but didn't have any feelings of creepiness or anything like that. My dh kept muttering, "Remember they probably had hundreds of slaves to move those things." Uh huh. Whatever

Anonymous said...

Hi Lizzie,

There are 2 days that you can now touch the stones at Stonehenge. Winter and Summer Solstice.

My daughter was there for the Winter Solstice and was able to touch them. They allow pagan/druid/spiritual people to camp on the grounds and perform ceremonies, etc. on those days.

My daughter was very excited about that, as she had been there before but was disappointed that all she could do was take pictures. When she visited this winter, it was a real treat to walk up and touch them.

RG Calkins

Lizzie said...

LOL...men, Vonnie...sometimes they view things differently.

Lizzie said...

How cool for your daughter RG! When we were there in 2011 at the end of December, they had the hands off in place. In fact, a guy got escorted (not so nicely)out of the circle for 'communicating' with one of the stones. Turns out he parked along the road, jumped the fence and came across the field. Security wasn't impressed by his love of the Henge.

Joanna Fay said...

Stone Henge is an awesome place. There are so many stone circles in the Isles, you could do a whole trip just visiting them.....

Lizzie said...

No that would be fun trip, Joanna! when do we leave?

Eleni Konstantine said...

Love the picture. The last theory I had about building them was dirt slopes that were used for years and then the dirt taken away leaving no trace. Makes sense.

Would love to see the stones especially at that time of day. Wonderful.

Lizzie said...

Thank you, Eleni. Got lucky in getting the picture. I do remember the bitter cold...had snowed the night before and the wind whistling across the plains...brrrrr