personally, i'm now convinced that stonehenge is only as famous as it is because it happens to be very visible next to the a303. that was at least our reason for stopping there impulsively. we wouldn't have made a mile of detour to see "effing stonehenge". despite of that - it was a lot of fun! especially if you consider the hype around the whole thing, including some very elaborate and professionally looking crop circles in the area --> [link]

why do people go nuts about it? no idea.

the neolithic sights in the west might be smaller, but imho more beautiful. especially mên-an-tol, lanyon quoit and chysauster (photos to follow). it also happens that cornwall's landscape was not completely morphed by industrialisation or farming industry. it's still so very rough and primitive in the best sense of the word. people seem very connected to their home still, as you can see by rowena cade's minack theatre [link] , countless wild gardens [link] and traditional homes - even if those are more and more abandoned in favour of modern housing.
greetings to dear casey, niki and paul who showed us around and shared their time with us. the whole week went by so fast and instead of the seaside chill anticipated we chased along narrow roads to see everything the region had to offer.

all the while ... london was burning. partially, a least. poor pooka (one of our group) actually lives in one of the affected areas. hopefully, all his friends were safe. most of the trouble had already spread elsewhere when we returned and (of course) the touristic centre was completely unaffected.  from what i gathered by talking to people and reading various local newspapers the whole thing was NOT about politics or inequality, but more about some very frustrated individuals turning against their own neighbourhoods. yes, they burned down that sony warehouse, but most of the damage was done to small businesses and local people -  there were no political agendas - just inexcusable, random acts of violence against innocents.

being the bourgeois arse she is, this culture-vulture was overjoyed at not having her plans disturbed by actual people's problems and went on to appreciate the finer things in life. i happened to stumble upon a "talk-and-draw" at the national gallery and had a nice chat about life drawing and portraiture with one of the lecturers (p.s.: being told by such a person that one could really make a living out of portrait painting strokes one's ego).
and theatre ... well, the THEATRE ... *sigh*

"butley": a gloriously ironic, funny, harsh, touching and sadly humorist look into a narcissistic academic's soul. dominic west practically shouldered the play all by himself. paul mcgann's small part as a gay publisher from leeds was a nice addition, even if hearing his soft voice butchered by a northern accent was a bit disturbing (don't get me wrong, i love the northern brogue - eccleston be my witness - it just doesn't suit every person)
"much ado about nothing" was a splendid (if set design-wise sometimes eye-cancer inducing) piece of work.  david tennant's playful and seemingly easy portrayal of the part cancelled out catherine tate's very committed, but overacted comedian approach.
"doctor faustus":  it's been my first time in the globe but it won't be my last. i'm still blinded by the richness of costumes and props and by actors actually interacting with the audience instead of merely playing in front of them (fourth wall, damn you!). arthur darvill's job as mephistopheles consisted mostly of standing around pissed off and following the enthusiastic lead. well, he is used to that part in television, but easily managed to convey an aura of shrewishness and aggression so unfamiliar to his usually favourable face. he also rocks playing the lute.

too bad that had been the last day. would have loved to stay longer, but any more would have been beyond decadent.
so if you are actually still reading this, expect drawings and infrared photography next week when i'm back home from visiting my parents.
comments are welcome, as usual.