Last Thursday it was snowing, yet I promised Jacqueline that we would have dry weather with sunshine for the Saturday trip. There were two coaches waiting for us, and we came aboard at 08.30 just as the Sun began to peek through the greyness, and we were off. We drove through some spectacular English countryside on the southern edge of Bath. Shortly afterwards we could see the ridge of Salisbury Plain in the distance. Perhaps most of you missed it but there was a fleeting glimpse of the Westbury white horse calved into the hill. If you missed it don’t worry, Dr Chill has photographs of the seven white horses located in Wiltshire.
However I digress. We drove along the Nadder valley, the River Nadder being an example of a chalk river in southern England. The waters are clear and the River is popular with fly fishermen. The road lays between the ridge of Salisbury Plain and the River Nadder. We turned on to the road that proceeded upwards to Salisbury Plain. You may have noticed that there was a whitish tinge to the soil on the farmland; this is chalk. Also you may have noticed round bumps (small hills) scattered in the fields. These are burial mounds called round barrows and were placed there in the Bronze Age and were contemporary with the later stages of Stonehenge. I only saw one long barrow. This is also a burial mound, but relates to the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age contemporary to the early stages of Stonehenge. Most long barrows are situated on the northern part of Salisbury Plain, a part of the Plain that was not included on the trip.
I won’t say too much about Stonehenge as you had previously received an email attachment giving an outline of the continuing archaeological exploration around Stonehenge called the Riverside Project.
After Stonehenge we moved southwards to Salisbury, a small city in Wiltshire. The Cathedral is spectacular and no doubt you had the guided tour. I was interested in the origins of the name cathedral meaning the bishop’s seat, and his subordinate, the Dean who is in charge of the cathedrals administration and the building. The chair and position of dean have been inherited by the English university system. For example, a professorial position is called a chair, and the head of a faculty is called a dean! Not surprising really, given that the origins of the English university system began with the church in the medieval period, notably Oxford and Cambridge.
There will be more on Oxford University next month, on 13 March, when we set off on another BISC trip. If you wish to come, please book early, as all places are competitive and places are likely to become very limited. By the way did you visit Salisbury market? I bought some bargains, socks and undies at a knockdown price. Well that’s all for now my lovelies. This is Dr Chill signing off for now as the washing up waits.
