On the 28th of June 2002, we travelled for a weekend to view Stonehenge with a tour run by Andante Travels.  Why use a tour company to view these stones when they are open to the public?  The reason was that we were to be guided by an expert on the subject, Andrew Lawson, from the Wessex Archaeology Trust and we were to get to touch the stones.

On Friday we booked into the hotel and attended a lecture about the weekend’s visits.  Then off we went to discover food in Salisbury.

Saturday, up bright and early, missing breakfast in the hotel, into the coach for the visit to the Stonehenge.  We arrived here at 7.30 and had a visit to the stones before the rest of the tourists arrived.  This enabled us to walk amongst the stones and touch them.  We left before the main tourists arrived.  The rest of the time spent at the site was a walk to the Tumuli, and along the Cursus, then back up the Avenue to Stonehenge.

Next, we had a picnic lunch (very good with wine and a splendid selection of food), and then a visit of the Fields department of the Trust for Wessex Archaeology, and then Salisbury Museum.  In the evening we had a meal put on for us by Andante Travels.

Sunday, up early again, and trip out to Knap Hill.  From here we had a walk via Wansdyke to the burial chambers of West Kennet, passing Silbury hill and onto Avebury where we had another excellent picnic lunch.

Many thanks must go to  the Guide Lecturer, Andrew Lawson and Medina Gilbey the Tour Manager.  An excellent weekend.