The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

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Avebury (Circle henge) — Fieldnotes

Sorting through old photos, I've been reminded that in June 1996 me and my wife had a memorable day in Avebury. Went round all the Avebury sites for the first time in glorious weather. Felt sad for the party of little schoolkids who were all wearing Foreign Legion style hats to protect their skin because the ozone layer is fucked. Saw what seemed to be a gang of people in the distance making a crop circle in a field overlooking the long barrow. Had a laugh at an American bloke and his family in the main circle, because within 1 minute of giving them a reverent pep talk about the age, mystery of the stones etc, he then stood by while his additive-addled kids raised merry hell by fighting round, climbing on, and kicking the shit out of the stones.

Then back at Avebury caff, met Julian, his partner and little girl. My wife didn't recognise him but I did, but I wasn't going to let on or tell her - since I thought he probably didn't want to be pointed at. He spoke about his research for the Modern Antiquarian, and was bloody hilarious about the gerroff-my-land farmers and their scabby dogs he'd had to cope with when doing the research (he showed us the bitten leg...).

My wife took a photo of his little girl playing in the garden, because she was very cute. I think I clocked Julian's partner looking disapproving at this, although in her defence, she didn’t know who they were. In fact, it's finding the photo that's reminded me of all this - if Julian (but NO-ONE else) wants a scan of it for the album, he's welcome to it.

I read a report in the paper next day about how someone had painted squiggles all over the stones in the avenue, and how it was must have been done just after we were there, and wondered if it was anyone I'd seen, maybe the crop circle people...
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