It's Not Very Big Is It?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
February 6, 2010 9:51am CST
That was the question posed by a female American tourist after she visited Stonehenge in England. What did you think the question was about hehe lol.
She was being followed by a camera crew for a documentary about what tourists come to the UK for...and it did make me laugh when the lady said, "It's not very big is it?" when asked by the camera crew what she had thought of her visit to Stonehenge. I've no idea what she was expecting but she was disappointed in the size, bless her.
I did feel sorry for her though. The camera crew focused on her suitcase and the amazing array of jumpers and cardigans she had brought with her. The poor woman had to bring every woolly creation along with her because she had been told about the unreliability of our British weather! In fact, if I was visiting England from another country I'd do exactly the same as it's only about 15 degrees in summer lol.
Have I been to Stonehenge myself? Yes I have! In 2003 I went to Bournemouth with Mum on a coach. The coach driver would arrange for visits to other places during our week's stay, which included Stonehenge. The coach drove past it as we weren't allowed to disembark but it was gorgeous, all lit up in the beautiful sunlight. Yes, it was SUNNY and we actually picked the hottest week for years to go and visit Bournemouth! Which is quite ironic when you think about it.
Our visit also included driving through some fab villages around Salisbury and to visit the place itself, which is awesome. It has a wonderful cathedral that takes your breath away...and I'm not that religious so heaven knows what the more religious people thought of it.
We also visited Monkey World in Dorset. I'm not normally "into" places like that but I had seen it on the telly and admired the people who ran it, who are passionate about rescuing primates in need. I shall never forget the looks on the faces of Rhesus monkeys that had been sent from a British lab as they were "too old" to be experimented on. They looked very, VERY sad but I believe they are doing really well at Monkey World.
England has its faults but there is more to it than visiting London (which I love by the way) and if you ever get the chance, explore the rest of it if you can. It does have its good points.
http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/about.php
http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/about.php1 person likes this
5 responses
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
7 Feb 10
I've been to Stonehenge twice. The first time there were mowers in the stones so it was easy to see how tall they were - it was sunny for us on that trip in 1995.
The second time was in 2002, I went with my roomie. Because of her vision, she was escorted into the stones - I was SO jealous!
Both trips were with tours. Both trips went to Salisbury Cathedral.
The first trip, with my mom, we also went to Bath - and that was also really awesome - wish I could've gone back.
On the other hand, the second trip we went to Serum and the Avebury henge, and I wouldn't have missed those for the WORLD.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Feb 10
I've not been to Avebury but I'd like to. I'd also like to go to Bath, it's in Somerset isn't it, which is miles away from Carlisle but still, it's worth the visit I'm sure. Glad you liked it. I really think us Brits take our sights for granted but when others from all over the world comment, we start to feel proud of them all of a sudden lol. How are your cats by the way? Are they OK?
I really think us Brits take our sights for granted but when others from all over the world comment, we start to feel proud of them all of a sudden lol. How are your cats by the way? Are they OK?1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (64169)
• United States
7 Feb 10
I am not too sure where it is, I wasn't driving, but it can't be too far out of the area since the tour was Salisbury, Stonehenge & Bath. And we drove by Serum on the way.
I love old stuff, and the older the better. I remember the first time I really felt the thrill was in England, when we went to one site and I stepped on a stone that had been stepped on so many times for so many centuries that it had worn down to almost level with the floor beneath - cool!
@Torunn (8606)
• Norway
6 Feb 10
I went there with some friends, we drove through Avebury first and we also went to a tomb and saw some kind of artificial hill. Can't rememeber the name but it was a nice walk to the tomb.
In Stonehenge we saw some dark clouds coming in, I don't think we really thought about it more then "Oh, that's a great dramatic background for my photos!" Then the rain started, I don't think I've ever been caught in a rain like that before.
I think the tourist would have thought different if she could have walked up the stones. The ones in Avebury didn't look big at a distance but where quite huge when we walked up to them.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
6 Feb 10
Is there a perimeter still in place at Stonehenge? I know that people can get close to them during the Summer Solstice but at other times I think they can't do that. Anyhow, you're right, if that American had got close to them she would've gone "Wow!" or some other Americanism lol. Is it Solsbury Hill? It's the first one that came into my head but I could be wrong.
@Torunn (8606)
• Norway
6 Feb 10
I think that's the right hill. It's only one of the kind I think.
The perimeter is there all year except at solstice I think, and maybe some other ceremonies. I suppose they have problems with people wanting to take home a part of Stonehenge. Or possibly climb up on top of them and then fall down on someone else.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
6 Feb 10
It depends on how close you are to it. The closer you are the bigger it gets lol.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
7 Feb 10
I was there twice, once in 1979 and once in 1983. The first time, we were still allowed to walk right up to it. Believe me when you're standing right there next to it, it's BIG. What the heck was she expecting? The great wall of China?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Feb 10
Haha! I know what you mean. England is tiny in comparison to the US but it's fairly easy to get around once you know what you're doing. Too many people though. Can't escape them!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
7 Feb 10
I have been to Stonehenge. I went there in 1998 and we were in a rental car that we had just driven up to Scotland in. We stopped and visited it and I thought it was about the same size that I had imagined it being.
But what did surprise me was how close it was to the freeway going past it. I did not expect to see such evidence of modern civilisation roaring past so close to this magnificent piece of human history. I was very disappointed by that, but I guess that is life isn't it. We just keep building things and must continue to get around faster and faster all the time! 
It was an amazing place though and I really do recommend seeing it if anyone visits England.
It was an amazing place though and I really do recommend seeing it if anyone visits England. @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
7 Feb 10
Yes, a lot of people complain about that road. Unfortunately, if it wasn't for the road Mum and myself would not have been able to see Stonehenge. We weren't part of an organised group so the driver had no choice but to drive past it. I'll never forget it though. Even from the coach it had an effect on everyone who was looking at it. A lot of "Ooos and aaaahs" emanating from the passengers...mostly me I have to say lol. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Below is a link to Long Meg and Her Daughters. Now THAT place is awesome as it is relatively hidden, you have to drive up a hill to get to it and it is a really wonderful place. Can touch the stones too. I know because I've done it. Well recommended. My, I should be a promoter for Visit England or something lol. Anyway, here's the link.
http://www.britainexpress.com/articles/Ancient_Britain/long-meg.htm
