Stonehenge

(I've been there in real life as well)

My virtual journey has hit a few bumps in the road recently - the main one being having less time due to starting my new job. Still I have been managing to get enough cycles in to stay on track with my journey.

I’ve now covered an impressive (at least I think so) 470.9km - only 1273.3km to go by the end of the year, no sweat, actually lots of sweat, but you get my meaning. I’m still getting so much benefit from this challenge, not just physically, there’s something incredibly rewarding about watching my little icon on the map move.

A quick warning if Stonehenge is your favourite place in the world then please look away now.

This morning I passed Stonehenge - not as some people believe a wonder of the world, it was passed over for this title in 2007 when it didn’t receive enough votes. And to be honest (yes I’m aware this might be controversial) but I’m not surprised.

I agree that however these stones were positioned, and the theories range from the very sensible ropes and A-frames, to the magical power of King Arthur transporting the works of Irish giants and of course there are some that think it was aliens, it’s an engineering accomplishment.

But as I said in the title, I’ve been there and it’s underwhelming. You have to pay a lot to get in and when you get to the stones they’re cordoned off - now I do understand this as otherwise I’m sure they’d be damaged, but it means that taking photographs is hampered. Then when you add in the crowds of people you realise you’ve paid a decent chunk to walk round in a circle a few times before heading back to your car to eat the picnic you brought with you.

The most memorable thing about that day was a car going on fire in the car park resulting in a number of fire engines turning up.

I’ve seen standing stones in a number of places in Scotland and all of them have been at least equally - if not more so - impressive. Not sure where my virtual journey will take me next but I’m excited to make progress.