Last August ('98), I went down to Wiltshire with a couple of friends, Sean and Mel. The idea was to have a look at some of these so-called 'crop circles'. We intended to meet some of our cohorts from the MIRC UFO Chat site, people we had talked to for yonks, but never got to meet.

We all met up in the Barge Inn, a lovely pub, right on the river and overlooking the 16th Century carved White Horse. With barges chugging by, it was an idyllic setting for a weekend of summer circle spotting!

Andy and Lorraine arrived from deepest Cornwall with their friend Dave Gillam, who runs the Cornwall UFO Society. Darren from Coventry was already there, and Lloyd arrived about the same time. We decided we better try the local poison.......we did........it was good! Here's the proof!

Left to right: Darren, Lorraine, Mel, Sean, Me, and Lloyd.

I was amazed at the global interest that the area attracted. There were people from all over the world, coming here to see these odd patterns in the corn. A German visitor who kindly offered to work my camera, by the way, took the photo!

We set off at around 23.00, and made our way up to East Field, the scene of many large patterns. We heard that a BBC film crew was in the area hoaxing circles. Most of the gang went off, and did succeed in disrupting the filming, much to the producer's annoyance. He threatened to call the police! When all were back at EF, we started looking out over the fields. Because it was dark, you could see 'Cropies' whizzing by, looking for evidence of whatever phenomenon they claim make these circles. Whoever/whatever it is, they are still wonderful to look at!

The next morning, I awoke at about 5.30. I was cold, stiff, hung-over, and desperately needed the loo. I realised that I was in the back of the car and opened the door. Jesus!! It was cold and foggy! What was I doing here?? Then I heard it. What in the name of......there it was again....a muffled grunting that chilled my spine. I looked around, and located the source. Full length in the front of his car, was Darren........snoring and farting like there was no tomorrow. In fact, if he had carried on much longer, they may have NOT been a tomorrow. I couldn't resist it....I took my camera and FLASH!! Gotcha! He didn't move a muscle. Poor ol' Daz was dead to the world. So, we left him.

It was decided that we should all go for a big brekkie, so we all piled into Lloydy's car. Now, there aren't many people I would gladly throttle, but Lloyd is one of them. Why? Because he used too much throttle! I didn't think we were going to survive the journey to the Little Chef......GIT!

When we returned, we went to a few circles and Daz did some dowsing. We saw something odd in one of the fields, and I managed to catch it on camera........... see, I knew there was a logical explanation for these circles! It's just a matter of keeping your eyes peeled. I should tell you that we have video footage somewhere, of Sean being very friendly indeed with this little visitor!!! However, that is another story!

We travelled to Avebury, the site of the largest stone circle in the world. The stones encircle the whole village of Avebury, and stretch away some distance. Unfortunately, some of the stones were destroyed hundreds of years ago, by berks that thought they were the work of the Devil. They burnt some of the stones until they cracked and eventually crumbled. And who says that vandalism is a new thing?

The stones are remarkable, and are now a national monument. One of them is called the Devils Seat, and looks as if there is a chair carved into the stone itself. The photo here, is the back of the Devils Seat. I had a go and immediately wished that there were a Devils Cushion to go with it!

All in all, it was a great weekend, and one that I hope to repeat this year.

My own view is that the crop circles, magnificent as they are, are probably man-made, but I'll still go and visit them.