Stonehenge!. . . And airport woes!

 August 7, 2024

Today was disembarkation day. We started last night by putting our large luggage out in the hall to be taken ashore where we would pick it up this morning. This meant we didn’t have to haul the heavy luggage from our stateroom to the bus.

We had ordered some breakfast items for today at yesterday’s room service as they didn’t offer it today. After getting up and gathering everything else we needed to take home, we left our rooms with our carry-on and met in the Princess Theater at 7:00 a.m. We were soon directed out to the gangway; however, they dismissed too many people at once and the elevators were packed. We had to go down one level with our carry-ons, which we managed to do; but some would have had difficulty doing that.

We left the ship for the last time, walked into the port terminal and collected our luggage. Then we found our bus and got our luggage loaded and got onboard. We had about a one-and-a-half hour ride to Stonehenge. We traveled through a national park where all farm animals are allowed to roam freely. 

When arrived at Stonehenge and were allowed off the bus and to roam to the shuttle buses that take you to the monument, which we did. We were transported a short distance to the monument which is incredible. It is quite impressive in both size and wonderment. There are many historic sites close to the monument, i.e., burial mounds, trenches, holes where posts once stood, etc. We walked all the way around it and then went into the visitor center. There was a line of thought that the Druids had done the building and used one stone in particular as a sacrificial altar. However, all the dating they have done on the tools, etc., have indicated the time was not correct. And they now believe it wasn’t used for sacrifices. The stone they questioned has a high iron content and it is pitted. When it rains, the depressions in the stone turn red, but it is the iron content and not from blood permeating the stone. Interesting. They have recreated a primitive village on the site. They discovered a short distance away, remains of a village they believe was used by the workers building the monument so the re-creation allows you to see how they lived while they were working. 

They now really only have theories as to what it what used for, other than perhaps ceremonies. They do know that during the summer and winter solstices, the sun does shine directly through the stone circle. Perhaps continuing to study it as they do may someday lead to more clues as to the use.

When we were finished there, we rode on the bus again and passed by several charming towns and lovely homes. It really is a beautiful place with a rolling landscape. . . Not too much flat land. One notable resident near Stonehenge is the lead singer for Sting. Our narrator believe their song, “Fields of Gold,” were inspired by the golden fields of the area. We also drove through Old Windsor which is where Elton John lives with his family. I found that really interesting. 

Continuing on, we passed by Ascot, where the late queen raced her horses. The grandstand is . . . Well. . . Grand to say the least. As per usual, it’s hard to get a good picture as we fly by on the bus, but I tried.

Soon we were coming into Windsor and caught a glimpse of Windsor Castle. Even from our vantage point quite a distance away, it was impressive. We also saw the lane that royals travel down in their carriages that leads up to the castle. It was phenomenal.  

So we arrived at Heathrow at 1:30 p.m. for our 5:30 flight. Right away, our flight was delayed. . . A sign of impending doom. Before it was all over, it was delayed twice more, then cancelled altogether. What a nightmare.

We must have walked miles in that airport. We finally took the train over to the gates that all the larger planes were departing from in the hope of being closer when it came time to board; but now that was not a possibility. But they did direct us to a gate that was just on the other side of the building to get our vouchers for hotel and shuttle accommodations.  So we went and stood in line. Carol was on the phone the entire time with Princess since they were the ones who had booked our flights.

British Airways in the meantime said they had rebooked our flights to Lisbon, then to Dulles. Ugh. Then they came back with Rome, then Dulles. And different airlines. . . So if we happened to get cancelled again and in a foreign country not knowing the language. . . Well, we didn’t like that idea. But after standing in line over an hour to get vouchers, etc., we went to find our luggage and the shuttle bus to take us to the Hilton. That was a mess because. . . Well, just take my word for it. Another hour and we were finally on a bus to the Hilton. And we are here. It’s 12:30 a.m. and we are finally in bed. . . Exhausted and really beaten by the events of the day.

Carol just texted and said we are all four booked on a flight out of Heathrow to Dulles on Friday at 5:30 p.m. which was the same time as today’s (Wednesday) scheduled flight, but it is two days later. So tomorrow we have to find out if we can stay here or if we have to find other accommodations. And I have to change my Southwest flight from Norfolk to Orlando and try and change my rental car as well. 

I can’t believe this trip. Today has been a terrible turn of events. I didn’t care for the cruise anyway. . . Too much money to go see sites that I really didn’t get to see. Stonehenge was the one exception.

The saga continues. . .

Till next time. . .

Dale