Our Samhain Visit to Avebury contd by Janie Spencer

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Once the sun had set, it was time to return to Avebury, and once again for Julie, Derek and Andy to put up the tents, while I cooked the tea by candlelight, tonight was a feast of noodles and soup. Tea eaten, we went and visited the stones, which have even greater presence at night. Lit only by the distant lights of the red lion pub and the occasional car, they seem to stand guard around the village, greeting the people who come to visit them at night.

We stayed out there for quite some time, celebrating the New Year (for Pagans and Wicca's, Samhain is the New Year, as well as being the point at which this world and the spirit world are closest), and thought upon what we wished to bring to the next 12 months. Chilled by the evening air, but warmed by our wine, we made our way, once again to the pub.

The next morning it was time to leave, but first we had to make some visits to the people of Avebury. Firstly we treated ourselves to breakfast in the vegetarian restaurant, and then it was off to the Avebury shop, a place full of delightful trinkets and books!! Our friend Eric is the manager of the shop, so it was lovely to pop in and visit him. There is even a charity shop in Avebury; the owners of the old antique shop now donate their funds to a leukaemia charity.

Sadly it was time to load up the can and leave the stones behind us. On reflection we all decided that it had been a wonderful time, and Derek, who had never been before said that it had been a 'powerful experience', while Julie said that it had been a 'lovely, fantastic time'. Andy said that as usual he thought the Avebury experience had been 'splendid!', and I felt relaxed and revitalised after my weekend away.

So why do we travel for six hours, sleep in tents and cans in November, and cook in a car park? Because we want to, is the answer. Some people will think that we are mad, but to us it's fun, a place of friendship and magical moments. Photographs copyright  ©2003, and courtesy of Janie Spencer and Andy Hogben .

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