Stonehenge

The last time I visited Stonehenge was in 1972.  You could walk right up to a stone and sit on it.  I think somewhere there's a photo of Gene the Lesser putting his arms out as he stands between two large stones like he's holding them up.  oh har har har.

Anyway, now you must keep your distance.  I was told the area was fenced off and you're herded through after being crammed on a bus to get there.  I expected to be disappointed in the new set up, but I'm not.  I'm glad that people can't go right up to the stones.  I have visions of people with spray cans of whatever color their particular gang is and they are determined to make a statement. 

Some of the "herding" on a bus reporting is true:  you arrive on a bus (note to self:  remember from now on how god-awful escorted tours can be, especially those one-day tours.  Crowded buses, no leg room, lots of Americans, regardless of country you're visiting) and then you get on another shuttle bus and are taken to the actual site.

There you find a de-construction zone.  They are removing the original visitors' center & parking lot and putting up a huge stretch of pristine meadow land -- just like it was back in the day.  So good on them.  Anyway, when the 2nd bus drops you off, you walk a bit and then you have a totally unobstructed view of the stones.  You can walk as slow or as fast as you want from a nice distance behind a 18" (can't be more than that) fence.  It's very tasteful; it's very accessible. 

As you walk around, you note that each view of it is nicer than the one you notice the previous 5 footsteps.  It's really something to see. 

Right now, I'm falling asleep as I'm typing.  I need to go to bed.  Photos tomorrow.