Thomas Family Vacation Part II

After scoping out Stonehenge, we drove to the nearby village of Avebury, which also has a very large prehistoric henge and lots of mounds. Unlike Stonehenge, you were free to roam about and there was no charge. We got there right around dusk and the setting sun provided a beautiful and dramatic backdrop to the stones. They are scattered about in a field, which was lovely. The air was warm, the birds were singing, and we even saw a fox which Juliet frightened out of its hole.


There's the whole fam atop a rather large hill from which you could see all the mounds and barrows for miles around.

Iain thought his uncle Matt was great.

In this picture you can see some of the beautiful rolling hills and fields that surround Avebury. Not to mention my very handsome husband.


Kisses for Grandma!
This is the mound we could see best from the hill. Somebody told us that it is the largest manmade mound in Europe. Amazingly, these were all made long before the Romans came to Britain in 43 AD.
The sun was slowly sinking behind the hill when left Avebury at 7:30. Such a vast difference from a few months ago when it was dark in the afternoon!

On Friday we headed up to Arundel Castle for the day. Arundel is not very far from Brighton and it is an absolutely fabulous castle. Work on constructing a castle on this site began in 1067, but little of the old castle still remains. It was completely refurbished in 1900 and is still the home of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.

Iain likes the castle. Well, ok, he likes it when Papa lifts him up in the air with castles in the background.
Good times at Arundel.

This is the oldest part of the castle left. It is called the Keep. Does anybody know why? I'm too lazy to look it up, but that seems like an interesting name.


Iain really did enjoy the view from the castle walls and he kept touching the stones. I think he was enjoying their rough firm texture. It is funny what appeals to a baby.

After leaving Arundel Castle, we strolled around Arundel a bit and stopped at a tea room for some lunch and cake. Arundel is a charming town.

After returning home, the boys went to the pub up at Falmer for a nice drink and a chat, and Mom and I got a chance to catch up.

On Saturday we finally got around to having a look around Brighton. We walked through the Royal Pavilion Gardens, and down through the Lanes, which are all that remains of the original fishing village that operated under the name of Brighthelmstone, which has been shortened in typical English fashion (the Welsh could take a hint here) to Brighton. Now the Lanes are full of expensive shops and quirky cafes, and it is definitely a good place to stroll around in.

We got a picture with the most famous resident of Brighton, of course. The Prince Regent, later George IV was something of a rake and helped give Brighton its reputation as a city of pleasure.

Then we strolled on up to the Pier to take the fun but tacky sights there. There are all kinds of carnival rides, food, and amusements there. I got my personality read from my signature, so I'm no longer pestered with post-modern angst over my identity. For two puunds fifty, that's a pretty good deal.
The most popular part of the Pier were the lovely deck chairs. Mom and I put our feet up, soaked up the sun, and took in the view.

And here we are in front of the Prince Regent's pride and joy, The Royal Pavilion. This is the landmark in Brighton and even forms the city's logo.

After that it was time for us to head back to the flat and say goodbye. It was a great trip, and we really miss everybody so much. But I'm so glad that my family was able to come and see jolly old England.