Sorry for the delay in posting. We tried to use the Internet yesterday in Lyndhurst, but several angsty British teens were monopolizing the hotel’s one public computer. So that means we have a few things to update you on–none of which are really about renewable energy!
Yesterday we drove from Lyndhurst to Stonehenge, where we fully realized for the first time that we are, in fact, tourists. Despite the hoards of people wandering mindlessly listening to their free audio guides (yes, you could, at points, count us among those hoards–the audio guides were actually pretty informative), it was an incredibly impressive site. The sheer size of the stones–called sarsons–and their arrangement/design/assemblage are mind-boggling. The cloudy skies and treeless rolling landscape (plus thousands of goats and cows) gave the entire site a mystical air. And the Druid procession–complete with 40 modern Druids wearing capes and wielding staffs–certainly added to the atmosphere.
We then drove to Exeter, a distance of about 90 miles. Erin foolishly predicted that we would arrive in Exeter within two hours, a boast that soon proved to be a jinx. All throughout our travels, particularly on non-motorway roads (the British motorway is akin to an American turnpike), we wondered what one would do if one’s tiny British car broke down, since there are no shoulders. The answer is: one would be forced to stop one’s car on the roadway, thus causing a more than three mile and one hour traffic jam. Traffic notwithstanding, we eventually arrived in Exeter, tired, smelly, and hungry. Though the downtown is a bit of a maze, we serendipitously stumbled upon our hotel, a great little B&B recommended by Let’s Go. Our room was the only one on the top floor, and we had our own porch overlooking the rolling hillside of west Exeter. Now’s a good time to mention that we stupidly forgot our camera cable at home, which means we’re unable to upload any photos - at least until we go to a well-equipped Internet cafe. So our descriptions will have to suffice.
This morning, still in Exeter, we visited St. Peter’s Cathedral, a medieval church that was built in 1156 and survived the extensive bombing that occurred in the city during World War II. (We just passed a section of the main thoroughfare, High Street, that had been completely destroyed and was rebuilt during the early ’50s.) This cathedral is almost impossible to describe–huge, gorgeous, and full of intricate carvings.
We’re about to head out of Exeter, and if all goes according to plan, today will be the first day that we see wind farms! We’re headed to Cornwall, on the southwest coast of England. Perhaps we’ll run into King Arthur!

5 comments
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June 24, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Nicole and John
Sounds like the conference was very informative. Can’t wait to pick your brain about all this information when you return. Enjoy being a tourist!
June 24, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Chris & Peggy/Mom & Dad
Reading your comments on the traffic backup, it reminds us of the Garden State Parkway when traffic backs up for miles as folks rubberneck accidents and such. I remember a time when a family which stopped to picnic along a shady part of the Parkway caused an enormous jam, as our fellow Jersey geniuses slowed to see what they were doing.
So what exactly does the edge of the typical roadway over there look like? Are there ditches or something preventing one from getting out of the way? Do people mutter and/or yell, or gesture, in ways typical of those from the NYC area under similar circumstances?
What have you been eating?
June 25, 2007 at 1:12 am
Gus
Redsox update: sox took 2 of 3 in San Diego. Becket pitched 8 innings today and Papplebon took care of the 9th.
Sounds like an exciting trip you are having!
June 25, 2007 at 7:19 pm
Carol Nylen
Additional update. Red Sox are 11.5 ahead of the Yankees.
June 26, 2007 at 3:27 am
Angela
Hey Mr. Hill. Sorry I haven’t been on to talk with you. So anyway, The things you said about the places are very interesting to here about. Anyway, have fun on the rest of yous trip and I hope you tell us other very informational data, okay. One more thing, why drive place after place?