We covered many centuries in typical English weather today -- driving rain and brilliant sunshine. First stop was Stonehenge, which reminded me somehow of the volcanic island I saw in Hawaii. Similar bare surroundings (only in this case the fields were green and gold rather than rocky and ashen) and same feeling of "older than human time" even though these stones were clearly placed by humans. The free audio tour added a great deal to the visit, even though many things about this place are still a mystery.

Next we went to Salisbury to see the cathedral, with the tallest spire and the best example of early Engllish Gothic buildings in the country. It lives up to its billing, even with the usual scaffolding covering one outside wall. My favourite part was the Chapter House, an exceptional building on its own, housing one of the four remaining copies of the Magna Carta.