This page documents an afternoon visit to Avebury on Sunday 17 February 2008. This informal gathering of people from various druid orders had been arranged because the Druid Order of Tamaris (DOT) anniversary celebration had been on the same day as the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri Imbolc ritual at Avebury. Attendees included Unicorn and Moray, Gil, Lee and Chloe, Allen, Xowie and friends, Willth, Johnc and Terry, Akasa, Huath, Elsie and Andraste, Handswithenergy/Matthew, the Magical Order of Dorset Druids (MOODDs): Ian (Wildfox), Stuart (Pangurban), Lydia (Wykewitch) plus son Arthur and a friend, Bluecrow and her son Aaron, Sian and Alex and friends plus Amitda and family. The group split between eating at the Red Lion and picnicking in the remains of the South Inner Circle. I read my new 18-verse Avebury poem and threw a chocolate at the crowd after each verse to ensure everyone paid attention! Young bard Chloe followed me with one of her own poems. Great fun was had by all and the weather was superb. Possibly the first occurrence of sunburn in February?! Photographs from the afternoon appear below, along with selected extracts from my poem. It is hoped a video reading of this poem will be available later in the year.

"Avebury is a World Heritage site
Circles, avenue, barrows and hill
Thousands of years may now have passed
But it still provides a modern day thrill"

A lavish spread in the South Inner Circle

A lavish spread in the South Inner Circle

Some had eaten in the Red Lion

The group gradually grows in size

"The Southern Inner Circle was 354 feet
Made of a total of 29 stones
Better preserved than the North
Role of its Z Stones one of many unknowns"

The group gradually grows in size

Even the Weight Watchers members were allowed to tuck in

The Hellman's Mayonnaise was going down particularly well

"The complex originally had over 600 stones
Past incumbents alway wrecked with such glee
At least 20 are now burried in the earth
But only 76 remain for us to see"

87% Complete Daytime Waxing Moon (12x optical zoom on camera)

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

"The Barber Surgeon stone crushed its attacker
On its axis some say the Swindon Stone twists
The devils chair has seat and chimney
Sadly the impressive Obelisk no longer exists"

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

"The role of the site is something of a mystery
A clue to Atlantis or a map of Mars?
Creator of subtle energies or solar temple?
Whatever the truth we can make it ours"

Matthew reads his poetry and feeds the crowd. (Photo: Allen Gittens)

Young bard Chloe enters the circle

An amazing loaf of bread given to Matthew at the end of the afternoon by Wildfox and Pangurban