21st June is the summer solstice. There is no better place to celebrate this than Stonehenge, England. Sunrise here is the party place to be.
According to the police, an estimated 28,000 people turned out. This was a fair mix of Druids, New Age travellers, party people and the curious.
This is also the one time of the year when you can get access to the stone circle albeit under the watch of the custodians. This is to prevent some wanker adding deep thoughtful graffiti such as "Knobby was here".
The henge has been a source for traditional British ways of life for a number of years. I don't mean the 1000's years tradition of druids worshipping the great celestial being but another British tradition: an excuse for a good old Fight. From an AP article:-
I have been to Stonehenge once before and was disappointed that you couldn't access the stones. I think I will add a summer solstice visit to my future trips to make.
My overall impression on Stonehenge was that it is worth a visit. It will look very nice when it is finished.
Phileas Fogg,
Hiding indoors from the summer Houston sun,
21st June 2008
According to the police, an estimated 28,000 people turned out. This was a fair mix of Druids, New Age travellers, party people and the curious.
This is also the one time of the year when you can get access to the stone circle albeit under the watch of the custodians. This is to prevent some wanker adding deep thoughtful graffiti such as "Knobby was here".
The henge has been a source for traditional British ways of life for a number of years. I don't mean the 1000's years tradition of druids worshipping the great celestial being but another British tradition: an excuse for a good old Fight. From an AP article:-
A clash between police and revellers at the solstice celebration in 1985 led to closure of the monument for the solstice for 15 years. During those years riot police and people determined to celebrate the solstice often clashed.
But in 2000, English Heritage reopened Stonehenge for the solstice, and celebrations since have been peaceful, with only a few arrests for minor offences each year.
"People generally respect the stones and we don't have a problem," English Heritage spokeswoman Rebecca Milton said.
I have been to Stonehenge once before and was disappointed that you couldn't access the stones. I think I will add a summer solstice visit to my future trips to make.
My overall impression on Stonehenge was that it is worth a visit. It will look very nice when it is finished.
Phileas Fogg,
Hiding indoors from the summer Houston sun,
21st June 2008
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