London Day Seven- Salisbury Cathedral, Wilton House, and Stonehenge

Me and Stonehenge

Today started at 5:15am for me. I woke up determined to get ready quickly so I could go out and find coffee, because after waking up that early you need coffee, and to try and find batteries. Normally I wouldn't get up at 5:15am to do this, but we had to meet the group at 6:40. Walking down the street at 6 was one of the most peaceful moments of the trip! No one was on the street except for one homeless man. The world was quiet and I marveled at the feeling of being the only one up. I walked to the Starbucks to have my heart plummet to my stomach when they weren't open. Who knew they didn't open until 6:30? But my heart quickly went back to its place when a shop across the street was open with coffee! It was really good too. I then walked to the Tube to see if any of those stores were open. I guess 6:15 is a little early, so no one was open. I made my way back to the flat and I was ready for our journey. We headed out toward the tube. After the tube ride we arrived at Waterloo where we caught a train to Salisbury Station. The ride seemed rather quick. I read the entire way, and had like five pages left when the train pulled into Salisbury Station. The group then walked the surprisingly quick walk to the Salisbury Cathedral. This cathedral has the tallest spire in all of Great Britain. The Guinness Book of World Records says so. We then split in two groups to do tours. The first group would go up the spire to get amazing views of the city; the second group would take a tour of the cathedral. I was in the first group. Our group of 11 gathered around our guide who listed off reasons we shouldn't go. Of course a fear of heights was one. I am terrified of heights, but I knew the view would be worth it. So I risked it. I knew it would be a work out too, which is always a plus. We started our climb. If I was Elyse I could tell you all the different levels of steps. Unfortunately I don't have her number talent. I just know it all turned out to be 337 steps. We got to the first level where we could see out over the nave. It was a great sight. You really got to see the church. When on the ground you can't see everything but from up there you could. Our guide, Tom, filled us in on the stained glass and where the church was built. The stained glass was beautiful! We then walked up a spiral staircase to walk where the ceiling was. It was really cool to see all the wood beams that held the church up. While cool, it was also creepy, especially when you could see that they had bent over time. You could also see the curves for the groin volt that lay beneath our feet. We continued on to a room that was under the spire. So far my fear of heights hadn't come into play. The group got to see where the clocks were operated and the bells. We also got to see the inside layout where outside flying buttresses corresponded. On to a spiral staircase. This was when my fear hit me. I could see out and see how high I was climbing. I tried to keep my mind on anything and everything else. We got up to the next level were there was just a walkway with a railing. I refused to look down. My heart rate had quickened and it wasn't just from climbing some hundred odd steps. the next set of stairs was a small spiral stone staircase, with only a rope to hold on to. Our feet barely fit on the steps and it made me think I'd fall with every step. Luckily that didn't happen and I reached the top safely. This time we had an entire room to walk around in. I didn't of course because through the boards you could see the 2 levels below us. One bad board and I could have been toast. Now that may not sound logical, but some phobias aren't logical. This room housed the four bells. Which of course went off and I jumped, every time. I knew when they were going to ring but that didn't stop me from jumping. We then went to yet another floor. I seriously was wondering if we would ever get there. I wanted to be there as quick as possible. I was terrified; I wanted it over with. So on we climbed finally reaching our destination. :) I will admit the views were amazing. Tom filled us in on the churches history even more. There was this wheel that they would use to send things up and down. You would run in it, like a rodent and hoist things up that way. Tom demonstrated and of course Darrin wanted to do the same. So Darrin broke the rules. He sent us all outside to the balcony with Tom so he could get on it. The views were amazing. There were rolling green hills and gorgeous roof tops. I couldn't look over the edge though. I had to look straight ahead and out to the horizon. looking up was even difficult! There were four different balconies we looked out of. Then it was time to walk down the stairs. My anxiety had slowed down while looking at the view, but kicked right back up at the thought of going down. I obviously did it though, because I am writing about it. After going down the 337 steps we arrived in the nave where we had another tour. The guide was really funny. He wanted to be on time so he basically ran to every spot. It was really entertaining. He was full of information. He informed us that this one desk told you the name of who spoke at it. there were Acorn trees, also known as oak trees and hands of a wedding couple. So by the carvings we knew that the guys name was Brideoak! I was really impressed! That people put that much work into a carving was mind blowing. We of course continued on to a room that some guy paid money for so the priest could hear his sins. After an invasions by people who didn't like Catholics the room lost some of the human decor. Faces that used to decorate the room were smashed off. It was truly sad to see. It was a piece of art and for it to be defaced is unfortunate. Our time soon came to a close at the Norman/English Gothic Cathedral. We had a quick bite to eat and met up with our three taxis. Our taxi was full of girls and somehow we made the taxi driver blush. I'm not sure how that happened.
We had arrived at Wilton House were we got a private tour. The Wilton House was designed by Indigo Jones. It was wonderful! The Earl and Countess let us go into some of their private rooms! No one else gets to do that! I felt way special, as did many others in the group. It was so cool because they undid the rope that said private so we could make our way into their renovated dinning room. The dinning room had been renovated to fit the rest of the house. It was beautiful. There were Chippendale chairs and desks. There was an amazing table that had the coolest place mats. You couldn't totally see them, but you could tell they were decorated with horses. That instantly made me happy. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures. After exiting this beautiful private room we were taken to another one. This was the Anti-Library. It was were people would wait. It was rather small but had a lot of art work in it. It was full of different famous artists, and they were original! The coolest part of the Wilton House was going to those private rooms. It made us feel so special. Another really exciting thing was to see where they filmed scenes of "The Young Victoria," my favorite movie! The Earl even kept one of the rooms the same color as in the movie because he liked it better. It was really a thrill. Of course there were design elements in the house. There were canvases up on the ceilings, and moldings. In the room they had Charles Boulle Work, and Chippendale. One of Chippendale's most famous cabinets is there. The carvings of the violin were soooo intricate. It looked like you could pick up the violin and play it, though it would be a miniature one. Then we made our way out to the bridge, which was also private! The ceiling of the bridge had all these detail. It was weird to see, normally you'd think people would get to the bridge and be like well that is outside, it doesn't have to have all the detail, but it did! And I was really impressed. It was so peaceful out there; I couldn't imagine growing up there. Sometimes when I walk through these houses I want to go back in time, for just a little bit, to see what it would be like. I know it is romanticized but that doesn't stop me from wanting to go and wondering! After taking a stroll on the bridge we walked to go have lemonade and treats. So good. To be pampered was really nice.
After our treat we all loaded back into the van taxis and headed out to Stonehenge. It doesn't look like much from the road. I mean of course you have seen it in pictures and so you are amazed, but your awe goes only to the looks. After going I know more about it, so it is a little more impressive. Most of the stones have one third of them buried. Also those cross rocks that sit on top of others, they aren't just sitting there, they are connected, mortise and tenon style. We still have no clue how they got them there, which is frustrating. We also aren't positive what they used them for, but we have an idea. It was probably used as a calendar, and a clock. But why so big? There are also some thoughts that it was a temple and people worshiped there. It makes sense to be that big then. It was cool to learn more, but really go once and your good, or just look at the photos. We were really quick about the visit, because you don't have to be there too long. Then we took the taxis back to the train. On the train I finished my book, while making me happy I was sad to not finish it. Then I slept. We soon arrived back at Waterloo and made our way back to the flat. Where I started this blog and had some food. I then was so tired I crashed. It was one long exhausting day. Day 8 here I come- British Museum and Sir John Soane Museum.