So much for my first nights sleep in my new tent. Half an hour after i went to bed the party starts up and the loud dance music is coming barely twenty feet away from my tent. I don't sleep a wink. I am a light sleeper at the best of times, later on that morning Lynne seemed puzzled that i got no sleep and i explain that I've lived in a house for way to long. And i wonder how long it will take to adjust.
So I get up for the big day of dancing having had no sleep. I had been so careful to be ready for today, and i end up sleeping in a bloody party, the best laid plans and all that. Still the excitement drives me.
I acquired some neighbours over night who have put up a small yurt and just happen to be putting the kettle on as I rise and stretch. They came from Rotheram and like most people here they have made the journey every year since they first came. Theres not enough cups so i take my morning tea in a measuring jug as a drunken Scotsman in a kilt staggers past, then back again as he realises he's walking the wrong way down the path. I take my time getting ready, boldly getting my kit on, secretly hoping today will not kill me.
Abdul has not long crashed out in his car, I had heard him puking not long ago so i leave him be a while. A distinguished gentleman stops to talk, he gives me a tip off about some bards who walk the old paths and sing for their supper, sounds like my kind of people but i am yet to track them down. (any info very welcome) Something interesting about this guy i can't put my finger on and sadly i can't remember his name and didn't get to talk to him again before I set off. I rouse Abdul and convince him to take my bag forward before he heads home. He's worse for wear but agrees. Which means i can dance at least part of the way today with no rucksack on my back.
As I'm about ready to go, Lynne and a few others are walking the horses down to Avebury centre and i walk down with them intending to start my journey proper from there.
Passing through the stones we bump into Corky, that same drunken Scotsman I saw as i drank my tea. He is of course most charming and after chatting I agree to give him one of the bells off my legs to attach to his dreadlocks. It's lunchtime by now. I sup a couple more pints of water outside the pub and set off dancing as the small crowd cheer me off. Round the corner one of my sashes falls off my shoulder, so I stop and ask somebody to pin it back on. I notice how out of breath I am as I try to talk, I'm worried now, that was only a few yards, but off i skip again. I dance through the pathway of stones that extends out from the circle (I'm missing a technical term here I'm sure). The pathway ends and a stile takes me onto the road where rows of traffic cones have been laid on either side as if to carry on the path that had been marked by stones.
And here I go and the day is beautiful, following the village roads towards Upavon where Abdul has taken my bag. This is surely my best ever day dancing on the road, no bag on my shoulder, little traffic and beautiful scenery. I keep a steady pace and my breath is fine, and I'm not even sweating in the glorious sunshine. Past Knap hill I dance, some young bulls in a field rush to greet me so I stop and chat to them for a while, maybe they like the bells.
A van pulls up next to me and a chap who turns out to be Pete the druid asks me where I'm going. "Stonehenge" I say, so is he, with his girlfriend who's beautiful name escapes me, "do you want a lift?" he asks, "no I'm dancing all the way" I reply, "yeah i know, that's why i stopped to offer you a lift" his response, and then he declares they are off to meet king Arthur and I should find the van when I get there, then he bangs the outside of the van door with his hand and drives off. My light heart is lifted higher still.
Later I get a text from Abdul to inform me he has left my bag at a pub in Pewsy Warf. That's not where we discussed and miles out of my way to collect. I head on to Upavon and decide to book into a hotel. Cheating a bit but I didn't sleep last night and I know I'm not likely to get much sleep at solstice before heading off dancing the following morning.
I get a bus to collect my bag, and taxi back, an expensive day paying for a hotel room too. But I get a good rate at the antelope Inn. After a well earned hot bath I tuck myself into bed as the sun goes down.
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