...... and henge two!

 Well, no rain this morning at least. Still chilly for the time of year though. As I threw open the curtains I spotted a couple of muntjac deer grazing by the river. We decided on a full English again, a wise choice I think.

Slaving over a hot Aga

But well worth it

Today we would be travelling to henge two, or Stonehenge as it is otherwise known. Even Einar was allowed to come! And Misty! The journey took us through the lovely Savernake forest before we drew up at the visitor centre. Five people were on the gate. “Have you prebooked ?”. “Yes”. “On you go”. Maybe one person could have done that. Outside the centre a very excited lady told us where Misty could and couldn’t go. Turns out she could go everywhere except the inside exhibition, right up to the stones, and the bus. The lady positively encouraged her to go in the shop and cafe! A group of four came up behind us. “We haven’t prebooked  but can we go in anyway!!”. No, and hell no. And, the main question, why did the posse on the gate let you in? 

After a scoot round the exhibition, Ian and I walked down the road while the rest got the bus. Still a little cool in the wind, but at least no rain.

One man and his dog, again

Note how Ian always carries a full poo bag with him. 😁

As we arrived at the stones, the other party were exiting, so we handed Misty off for them to walk her back. Vicky, and her new camera, stayed with us to take photos.

Stonehenge

After our circuit and discussion on whether it was worth invoking Druid Gods and offering them your first born in order to ensure promotion, (general consensus of those remaining, yes!) the three of us caught the bus back. Unfortunately we came too late to the shop to prevent Einar buying them out. I was to be glad of that later though as Kathy gave me a cup of delicious Stonehenge mulled cider. 

We had decided on a pub lunch and I’d chosen The Bridge Inn, Upper Woodford, about ten mins drive. I phoned and asked them if we could eat. “If you’re quick” was the response. We were, but were greeted with Jekyll and Hide type staff. One old lady wasn’t sure if they had a table (there were loads outside where we would sit with Misty anyway) or if we would get our order in as they stopped serving at 2.30 (it was ten past.) and there was AT LEAST a thirty minute wait (Dur, The Brentwood). So, that would take us past 2.30. Cue raised eyebrows and sideways glances amongst us. Luckily, Glinda the Good witch came over and couldn’t do enough for us. Food, no problem, let’s get your drinks sorted, and because of the wake we have in this section (Ian and I love a good wakecrashing) we’ll move you over there. 

We ordered, food came pretty quick and was universally approved of, and There was only Kathy who spilt anything on the waiters arm. So all good. It did start to become decidedly chilly though, so we opted for coffee back at the mill.

View from The Bridge

The Bridge, home of good cop bad cop

Our new, wakeless, elevated (imagine the problems) table

Back at the ranch we all chilled for awhile, grazing on leftover pizza etc, and quizzing. Later, the telescope came out to view the full moon and there were bats aplenty