A Big Week of Opening - Lock-down Restrictions Lift
- christinestrike
- Apr 19, 2021
- 7 min read
April 12-18
Bustopia utopia. We are able to travel and stay in self contained units, stores have opened, restaurants and pubs can serve outdoors. In anticipation of these lock-down restriction lifts a glamping double decker bus called Bustopia and a sunset tour of nearby Stonehenge were booked. We set out early to enjoy a stop at the old town of Old Sarum first settled in 400 BC. This town contained a Cathedral and Royal Castle within the fortified site. The site is on a hill giving a great view of Salisbury nearby and the beautiful rolling hills. The landscape is different here compared to near Cambridge, it is more hilly and less like the prairies I know and feel near Cambridge. From here we continued onto the Stonehenge Campground to check into the converted Double Decker Bus. It is an impressive place to stay and we were lucky to be the first, shiny and new with the smell of paint. I love camping so it was lovely to be here as our first overnight trip in England. We enjoyed some time in the Bus, had dinner and set out to Stonehenge. I was so excited to go here and had a lot of nervous, excited energy leading up to this day. I hadn't noticed it but Aaron mentioned how I was a bit off and I realised why, I have wanted to go to Stonehenge for a very long time, fascinated by its story and lack of story. There was also the excitement of travel, nerves of being near other people, and the stones. For the sunset tour you get on a bus and are transported to the stones a few minutes away, you are given one hour to explore the area, do not touch the stones or face charges. As we got off the bus and walked towards to stones I became overwhelmed and teared up. I couldn't believe I was here, I could feel thousands of years of beliefs, I felt like I left myself. I dearly wanted to be present and feel every minute but let myself go to become acquainted with this spiritual place. Our family decided to give each other space to do as each wanted at the circle, crossing paths and wows at different points. To help myself be present I found a spot on the west sunny side, sat down, meditated and grounded. There wasn't enough time for me to fully absorb all that I was feeling. I can say that I get it now, I get the magical, mystical stones and the space that they contain. When it was time to leave I was the last straggler not wanting to board the bus back, I needed and wanted more time there. I checked out the outdoor displays at the visitor centre and headed to the car. I was the driver, drawn back to the stones I drove us to find the road where hippy caravans were parked, as close to the stones as you can get by vehicle. It was a donkey trail of potholes at first, unsure it was a good idea or even the correct road but I kept going. We found our spot to stop along the road and experienced the sun dipping below the horizon, the glowing orange stones and I got a few more moments in this sacred space. I am so happy and thankful.
It was a cold night in the bus snuggled under our duvet, listening to the cadence of a squeaky heater, waking to breakfast delivered. Warm pain au chocolat makes everything okay. I found a spot where the sun was streaming in and enjoyed hot tea with the breakfast. From the campground we could see the tower of a church and sheep roaming a hillside. Researching about the town, Winterbourne Stoke, before coming, I knew there were paths from the campground to the town and nearby pub (that ended up not being open). After breakfast we set out for a walk, not finding the direct footpaths until a round about stroll. The church was similar to many I have seen now, a familiar shape and design. We were able to go inside, a bit shocked at the site of a casket trolley as I entered but welcomed by the architecture and feel that only a church can give. We managed to get to the field of sheep, giggling at the bleating lamb looking for it's Mum, running and bouncing from ewe to ewe. A circle around the town, back to packing up for a trip to Bath. There were a few different walking tours that could be booked and Aaron chose the Bridgerton tour as something not so typical and to please me, the Bridgerton fan. It was the three of us and our guide, starting at the Bath Abbey beside the Roman Baths. It was fun to hear someone so knowledgeable tell the stories and history of Bath while taking us to different shooting sites of the Bridgerton series, I'll need to rewatch it now! After the tour we walked about, marvelling at the folks out with the new relaxing of lock-down rules, found a pub and enjoyed our first pint in England, Aaron an Ale and myself a Cider. What a great feeling to do this yet still apprehensive due to people all around. A little bit more walking and back to the Bus for a much warmer night. We had wanted to have a campfire, a family favourite thing to do, but watched some Dr Who and called it a day, so much to process and anticipate.
Another delivered breakfast before packing up and getting ready for the trip back home to Cambridge with planned stops at Avesbury and Oxford. Avesbury is the largest stone circle in the world, making its way through the town that built up around it. Due to the size and buildings among the circle, it is difficult to take the space all in, I walked the circle, feeling its power, but not as profoundly as Stonehenge. As much as I'd like to know the exact purpose and reason for the stones I am happy that I get to experience them without an agenda, open minded, taking from it what it gives me. I drove to Avesbury and onto Oxford, roundabouts are becoming normal, I think they are a great way of not having traffic lights although sometimes terrifying when you're told to exit at the 3rd exit with 3-4 lanes across on an oval shaped roundabout or there are two roundabouts one after another, I was not taught how to navigate these is Winnipeg, good times. Aaron had been to Oxford before so he took us on a walkabout through the University area of town. I was again apprehensive being around people. The University buildings are beautiful, the library is quite impressive reminding me of the circular library at the Parliament of Canada. Grabbing a glass of wine, an ale and lemonade, we stepped on board a tour boat for a look along the Cam and learning tidbits about Oxford. Another cheese and onion sandwich for dinner on the road home. Getting closer to Cambridge it felt familiar, it felt like coming home, that embracing feeling when opening the door to where you live. It will be interesting to see changes in Cambridge with the relaxing of rules and the warmer weather.
Thursday was back to school for Genevieve and regular routine for me, laundry and domestic duties. I went out with G after school, clothes shopping for the first time since we got here. It was a bit daunting being amongst so many people but she was filled with such joy to get some new clothes, it brought me happiness for her and makes me wish she would stop growing, my little girl is becoming a lovely young lady.
Friday morning I biked into the City Centre to look about. The outdoor market had many stalls open and the food smells were lovely. I checked out many stores and went to a Chocolate shop that I was interested to see since working at Chocolatier Constance Popp. The chocolate was delicious, especially the banana filled dark chocolate. I bought fresh baked sourdough in the market, a spinach pastry, enjoyed the Cambridge Contemporary Craft shop and other stores along the way. It will take some getting use to but the city feels alive with the lifting of some restrictions. I am now feeling thankful for the opportunity to previously explore Cambridge before the crowds.
Saturday sleep in and vegetable gardening, it should warm up enough to plant on Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day, wonderful to be digging in the dirt and there were a few younger children that Genevieve stayed and helped with, thankful for our allotment connections. I had an early afternoon nap and went out biking with Aaron. The city centre was full of people, slowly getting use to this. We ended our ride at a pub near our flat and enjoyed a few beverages in the sun. We watched an episode of Bridgerton tonight pointing out all the places we toured in Bath, pretty awesome I must say. I started listening to The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and plan on following the 12 weeks of activities for renovating the creative soul, discovering and recovering.
I woke early Sunday morning, enjoyed tea and wrote my morning papers with sunshine and birds. I went out to the garden allotment and began planting seedlings we have been growing and Aaron joined me. This feels normal and I love digging in the dirt. We all went on a bike ride, taking in the Cambridge American Cemetery from WW2, going through a few towns and taking a break at the Granchester Orchard Tea Room. I had clotted cream on a scone for the first time, it was okay. I think there are different types of creams and perhaps there are others that are better, will have to try more now and bake some more scones. We played some frisbee, biked by cows and headed home in time for dinner. A quick check of the garden allotment in the evening and watering of the newly planted seedlings. Another great week.
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