Thursday morning we took the train from Crediton into Exeter. The train leaving Exeter was a few minutes late. When you only have eight minutes between connecting trains however, three minutes can be an intense amount of time. We arrived in Westbury and somehow I knew our train to Salisbury was already at the station; I could see it. Of course, it was on the other side of the tracks so we had to run along the platform dodging other travelers, down some stairs, under the station, up some more stairs where one of the conductors said, “Are you going toward South Hampton?” I showed him our tickets and he said, “Get on!!” We jumped onto the train, quickly found our seats and sighed when we were both on the train as it pulled out of the station.
When we arrived in Salisbury we were both very excited about seeing our friends. They were waiting for us just outside the ticket gates. You have to put in your ticket in order that the gate opens and lets you out. It’s really rather a silly invention. You’ve just been on the train, a conductor has stamped your ticket to make sure you’re on the correct line and have paid and yet still, in order to exit the station you have to again produce your ticket. This has caused us small issues in the past and that day was no different. I stuck my ticket into the slot, the gate opened and I ran to Heather’s open arms for a big hug. Then I slung my arms around Jeremy’s neck only to hear him say, “Are you just leaving Daniel on the other side?” He forgot to use his ticket and was standing on the other side of the gate staring at us with a silly confused smile. Finally he escaped and joined in with the hugs.
Salisbury Cathedral was only a mile and a half away from the train station so we walked through the small streets talking, looking in the shops, and laughing that we were all once again in the same country hanging out. It was surreal for the first thirty minutes. Salisbury Cathedra is huge and of course beautiful. Many of Heather’s relatives are actually entombed there and it was neat to see their burial chambers. One of her great [say it for a while] grandfathers, George Sydenham was the chaplain for Kings Henry the seventh and eighth. Also what is claimed to be the oldest clock in the world still in operation is inside the cathedral. Jeremy explained the mechanics of it to me. He stayed serious about his teaching even as I pointed at parts and made up my own stories of their origin and how they work. He would just look at me, raise an eyebrow and say, “No, it’s like this…” Teasing Jeremy is fun. He will get you back.
Following the cathedral we decided to grab some lunch before the pubs closed for the afternoon. We randomly chose a direction and I pointed to one I thought looked neat. It was called, “The Old Ale House Tavern” and it was empty inside. We each ordered a pint of different kinds so we could taste the different flavors. Daniel and I ordered a batch of cheesy chips for the table and Heather and Jeremy took a Ploughman’s Platter. Jeremy told us it is usually always going to be a safe order, and that you can always ask for the vegetarian plate. It will have bread, cheese, chutney, and some kind of vegetables. We happily snacked and visited while we all filled each other in on what is currently happening in our worlds. The place began to fill up as we made our way back out onto the sunny streets. So far we have had great weather.
Next we visited Old Sarum which was only a few more miles away. It is a castle [or was] from the thirteen century, which they took down in order to use the bricks for a new castle and cathedral. There we purchased English Heritage passes to use for the next two weeks. It is a much better deal than paying at each individual site. We ran around the castle’s foundation and wanted badly to climb on the old stones. You’re not allowed to though, so we kept our feet where they belonged. There were two energetic little puppies playing below us where the two cathedrals used to stand and we stayed to watch and giggle at them for a long moment. Heather even recorded them as they pushed a huge football around the field with their heads; it was much too big to fit in their mouths.
Stonehenge is a place I have wanted to visit for years. As we came upon it I was surprised to see it so close to the freeway. It used to be surrounded by trees, many many years ago; now the lands around the rocks are completely bare making the monument stand out clearly. We flashed our heritage cards and took a hand held audio tour device to hold up to our ears. Heather and Jeremy have been to Stonehenge twice before and did not take the small radios. Some of the information was interesting; mostly I was using the gadget as an ear warmer. Stonehenge is amazing and powerful. The stones mean something, if only because so many people for so many lifetimes have said so. You can feel them, even from behind the rope, their history and their legend. And because of that I was actually thankful for the ropes that prevented everyone from climbing on them. Plus, you would never get a decent picture of the magnum opus with people running all about. We spent a fair amount of time walking around and taking pictures. At one point we passed a man who said loudly to Daniel, “Go Ducks!” It made us all laugh. Daniel was wearing his Oregon Duck baseball cap and it was neat to see a fellow university fan so far away. Back in the car Daniel, Heather, and myself took a small sip of Strongbow cider to toast the stones. It is a tradition that she and Jeremy have. He did not partake, of course, because he was driving.
On our way into Exeter we saw many dead animals on the side of the road; badgers, bunnies, foxes, and maybe even a pheasant. Heather would point them out and we would all squeal, “Eeew!” In Crediton we directed them toward Morrison’s so we could pick up food for the next night. We also picked up a few things to contribute to the woodland barbeque that had been planned to welcome Heather and Jeremy to our piece of Devon. Andrew, Jan, and Simon welcomed us into the cabin and we made introductions. We shared some wine and cider while Heather and I made a caprese salad and I cut up a baguette. Jan was grilling meat and everything was utterly easy and divine. After our meal Jan took us on a walk through the woodland. It’s an important part of his land and he likes to guide first comers through all the work that has been put into it and share his ideas for its future.
At home that night there was a package from my younger sister, Jeanine and her boyfriend, Peter. We were extremely thrilled to open and unwrap gifts that have inspired her from the blog. Most of the box was for Daniel’s birthday and a Christmas gift exchange. She did include an awesomely soft shirt for me that is a World Minded brand that we love, and also some great running socks! Daniel received a couple warm shirts, quiz cards about gardening and wilderness heroes that we plan to take on our trip north tomorrow for the long car ride. He also has a new light that can strap around his head which is brilliant because it’s dark here at night and our torch is basically crap. Lastly Daniel now has a new beanie to keep his head warm and some dried pineapple pieces which we all shared in the car today.
I am already two days behind telling you what adventures we’ve been having around here. We’ve been very busy though and not around our laptops. I have my journals with me and I am writing down what feels important so I can share it with you. There is so much, and I will get to it. Plus, pictures!
This is part one; enjoy!
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