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Chapter Four: A weekend with a Stranger - 1
Waterloo Station, 6:55 am.
Arjun reached Platform no. 2 with two tickets for Salisbury. He was about to call her when Sahira waved at him from a distance. With a bright smile, she greeted good morning. Arjun also wished her.
Arjun: A nice sunny day for having a trip.
Sahira: Yeah. Did you have breakfast?
Arjun: Just a cup of tea.
Sahira: Don’t you worry, breakfast is served during the ride and I am a fan of their blue berry muffins.
Arjun: Great.
The train reached Waterloo Station at 7:12 am. Arjun & Sahira boarded and the train departed at 7:15 am sharp. As expected,breakfast, an English breakfast, was served. Arjun really liked their blueberry muffin. Sahira was gobbling the food. Arjun smiled at her. He then served themselves two cups of steaming tea. The hot liquid refreshed their mind and they started talking about their trip. But as the train escaped the periphery of the city, 40 minutes later, their conversation died down and the view from the window captured their attention. The quaint villages, rare heathland and rolling hills immediately transported them to the medieval age of the history book. Bright Sun, chirping birds, shallow stream flowing, cows and sheeps gazing the pastures, all appeared so surreal that both of them got drowned in nature.
At 9 am, Sahira and Arjun alighted at the Salisbury railway station.
Arjun: The journey was awesome, I wander, what the destination beholds!
Sahira: Well Mr Rawte, ‘morning shows the day’.
They bought two tickets for the Stonehenge tour hop-on hop-off bus got boarded. The first stop was the Salisbury Cathedral, one of the finest Gothic Cathedrals in England. For visitors, the ‘Magna Carta’ on show in the Chapter House has always been a special attraction.
Standing in front of the ‘Magna Carta’, Arjun whispered to Sahira, “What is this thing?”
Sahira (whispered): Magna Carta Libertatum, commonly called Magna Carta, is a royal charter of rights agreed to by King John of England at Runnymede, near Windsor, on 15 June 1215. It’s a document of immense historical importance to this land.
They took a walk around the Church to feel the emotion of the old medieval wool industry based town. The stroll in the shopping area and the cream tea was absolutely worth it.
Their next stop was the Old Sarum. What attracted them first were the immense earthen banks forming the defence of the original village, still very much in evidence 2,000 years after they were first created. The banks were a part of an Iron Age Hill Fort, part of a truly impressive defensive system with a village inside. The Normans came in the 11th century, they quickly realized its strategic importance and constructed a classic motte and bailey castle within the old earthworks. The lush green uneven field around the site against the backdrop of the clear blue sky makes the place a picture post card like awesome.
Finally the two reached the Stonehenge about 9 miles from the railway station at around 11 am. As they walked by the stone pathway towards the pre-historic site, the megalithic circles slowly uncovered giving a panoramic view of the unforgettable ancient world marvel. The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Neolithic age that was estimated to have been built in 3000 BC left them speechless.
They hired a tour guide, Mr Roberto Simpson, to learn about the place.
As they walk around the 2.6 km periphery of the henge, Mr Simpson filled them in with different facts and figures about thep lace.
Mr Simpson(Guide): The Stonehenge consists of a ring of standing stones, each around 13 feet high,seven feet wide, and weighing around 25 tons. The stones are set within earthworks in the middle of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds. Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. Deposits containing human bone date from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug, and continued for at least another 500 years. The massive structures that were built using simple tools provides evidence of highly advanced engineering knowledge. Though the archaeologist and the historians argue over the purpose of the mega structure being a burial ground or an ancient astronomical observatory, yet the massive henge is still one of a kind.
Being fascinated by the Stonehenge, Arjun thought to himself, there are numerous thing around that he didn’t know of, yet for all these years he thought that he has nothing to get from this life. He smiled and affirmed that travelling do broadens the outlook.
Sahira requested Mr Simpson to click a picture of Arjun and herself against the background of the glorious Stonehenge so that she could capture the memory of the day. Thanking him, Sahira & Arjun roamed around the site for some time before heading towards a local eatery for their lunch.
Sahira (munching on a burger): So what do you think about the place?
Arjun (munching on some nuggets): It’s a magical place with many mysteries that makes it a fascinating destination to visit. I got to experience the extraordinary site and taken in the stones’ eerie symmetry. The Stonehenge’s unique design as a result of the high level of precision during construction is mind-boggling especially because it was bound in an era without advanced technologies. This ethereal experience is worth every penny we spend. The stones are indisputably aligned to the solstice and witnessing this is life-changing.
Sahira (making a surprised face): Wow….That was quite a speech. I see you are really impressed by this place.
Arjun nodded with a smiling face.
Arjun: Where to next?
Sahira: To the city of dreaming spires – Oxford.
When they deboarded the Hop on Hop Off bus at the Salisbury Railway station at 2:10 pm,they literally had to run to get themselves a ticket and board the train to Oxford. After catching their breaths, they settled down on their seats. Again their attention was caught by the beautiful scene along the train route. Green meadows, rolling hills across the horizon, meandering streams filled their hearts with a strange sense of tranquility. Arjun captured some of these wonderful landscapes in his phone and so did Sahira. The train reached Oxford Station at 4:10 pm.
As the two walked down the Botley Road towards the Broad Street, they felt like walking in an open air museum. They joined a group of fellow walkers for a walking tour of the city sharp at 4:30 pm.
First destination – The Bodleian Library – Extensively known as the Hogwards Library, has a magical vibe in it. One of the world’s oldest operating library having a mesmerizing architecture along with its huge collection of books.
Second destination – The beautiful Radcliffe Camera is the biggest domed library in the country. Perhaps the biggest domed architecture in entire Europe built in 1749 and is as pretty as their Italian counterparts.
Third destination – The Christ Church College – It is the most popular college in Oxford and its alumni numbers over a dozen prime ministers, arch bishops and even Lewis Carroll! For Harry Potter fans – the Great Hall was a huge inspiration for the dining hall in the movies.
Fourth destination – University Church of St Mary’s the virgin - This Gothic church with a baroque porch is proclaimed by historians as one of the most beautiful in all of England. And no wonder – it is a truly breathtaking place to visit in Oxford. Arjun & Sahira even climbed 127 steps to reach the tower and enjoyed the spectacular view from above. The view was indeed worth the toil.
Fifth Destination – The University College – The oldest college of Oxford with its neo – gothic architecture is a treat to the eyes. It has an old world charm that captivates all the visitors. Arjun awed at the fact that Bill Clinton and Sir Stephen Hawking were among the alumni of this famous college.
Final destination – The Oxford Castle & prison - The Oxford Castle is naturally one of the oldest buildings in the city – it’s over 1,000 years old. Arjun& Sahira climbed the Saxon St. George’s Tower in the castle. Another spectacular view of the city from above greeted them. They then visited the underground crypt, the prison and even got thrilled learning a bit more about the inmates.
The walking tour ended at 8 O’ Clock exactly at the same spot where it was started. Both Arjun & Sahira felt the need to rest their legs a little so they headed towards a nearby restaurant for their dinner.
They then ventured towards the famous covered market of Oxford to visit the famous Alice Shop. Lewis Carrol conceptualize and wrote the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ here in the streets and rivers and medows of the city of Oxford. As such visiting the Alice stores is a must for the first timers in Oxford. Both of them felt reliving in the Wonderland when they stepped inside the store. They loved the experience. They once again travelled back to their childhood days and marveled at the masterpiece written by Lewis Carrol. Arjun &Sahira bought some souvenirs from the shop. While leaving the store, they felt young at heart again.
They reached their pre booked hotel at around 9:30 pm. They were lucky enough to get adjacent rooms. Though they had a long day yet none of the two were tired. It is rightly said that you are tired only when your mind is tired.They freshened up and then Arjun received a call from Sahira.
Sahira: Sleeping?
Arjun: Nope. You?
Sahira: Neither do I. Come to my room.
Arjun knocked her door.
Sahira: Hey… come on in! Sit.
Arjun: So what’s the plan for tomorrow?
Sahira: Tomorrow after breakfast we will go Punting in the morning at 7 O’ clock.
Arjun: And what is Punting?
Sahira: Ride a hand ridden boat in the river Cherwell, in the serene morning.
Arjun: Sounds interesting. Then?
Sahira: Then we will visit Bilbury, one of the most beautiful village in England and then visit a brewery.
Arjun: And taste some beer. Great.
Sahira: Then after lunch we will head towards Startford-upon-Avon. Then in the late evening, back to Square one, London.
Arjun: You are really a good travel planner.
Sahira: And a good co-traveller as well…what say?
Arjun: Nope. An enthusiastic co-traveller.
Both of them laughed at his statement. Arjun bid her goodbye and returned to his room. He hit the bed at 11. Recollecting the day’s travel he felt contended. He was thankful that Sahira found him and helped him to travel and see places beyond London. Wondering what the next day has in store, slowly Arjun drifted into a deep sleep.
“Still round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate.” – J. R. R.Tolkien.
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