Cardiff

After visiting Salisbury and Stonehenge I proceeded to Weymouth and Sidmouth. In that area I saw quite a lot: Dartmoor National Park, some lovely towns, and especially the magnificent perspective of the central nave Gothis vaulting of Exeter Cathedral. Later spent couple of days around Land's End -- the tip of Cornwall Peninsula and contunued to the elegant Bath and busy Bristol. The weather was cooperating all the way. However here, in the capital of Wales, it is not so nice -- the whole day is cloudy and raining though slightly. The collection of impressionists at the Welsh National Museum is the largest in the world outside of Paris. However it is closed now -- and perhaps for quite a long time -- leaks in the roof.

In an hour I am going by bus to Caernarfon. Its castle built around 1300 was since that time the place of ceremonial investiture of the Prince of Wales title on the heir to the BRITISH CROWN. It was first done in 13th century by Edward I -- just to show that Wales is dependent on England. And Welsh nationalist feelings are still run high. When the ceremony for Prince Charles took part in 1969 there was an attempt to blow his train. But I hope they will spare me, as I have no desire to be a British king.

Ciao,
Leo

From Britain with love

So, I am in Britain now. Spent 9 days in London. Though the weather there was mainly unpleasant -- rainy and very cold -- I did enjoy this city of great museums where I spent most of my time. However it was not enough. Will try to visit more museums on the way
back. But now I have started my grand tour of the British Isles. The weather substantially improved and I enjoy tremendously the charming medieval city of Salisbury. Its huge beautifully preserved cathedral was built in 1258 and has not been changed since then. On the outskirts of town lies Old Sarum -- an old very impressive hill-fort occupied since Iron Age. After the Normans invasion in 1066 William the Conqueror built there his palace and surrounding town. Now everything is in ruins, but very impressive ramparts and moats just breathe with power. And the primeval power of the nearby prehistoric Stonehenge does not need my introduction. It is world famous. The archaeologists still cannot agree whether it was a giant astronomical calender or a place of sun worship and ritual sacrifices. So much has been written about it that you do not need to listen about its mysterious influences on my mystical soul.