Hello Beastie friends! Are you ready to go globetrotting again with Paddy and Plunkett? I hope so… Because stone the crows, this week’s destination rocks!
Yes, it’s a pretty easy guess this time! Through the miracle of computer wizardry, Plunkett has managed to transport himself and Paddy into the heart of one of the most recognisable monuments in the world. And since we’re here, how about we take a look around?
Please note that Plunkett’s images may not reflect the actual size of this place. That’s the joy of editing yourself into someone else’s photos.
“Oh, sorry! Here’s one with some humans in it for scale.”
“Wow, Plunkett! This place is really massive!”
This monument is believed to have been standing here since round 2500BC, although new findings indicate that some of the stones were quarried and shaped much earlier.
The smaller ones (called “bluestones”) which you can see in the foreground originally came from a prehistoric quarry in Wales. But archaeological evidence at the quarry suggested that there was a significant amount of time (around 400 years) between the stones being cut and their arrival at their current home. So, what happened to them in between?
Well, it turns out that the bluestones are second-hand! After a whole lot of digging on some pretty soggy Welsh hillsides, archaeologists discovered the remains of another, earlier stone circle. One which, after 400 years, was apparently picked up and moved east.
Oh yeah, and how do they know that these were the same stones, you ask? Surely rocks leave pretty samey indentations in the ground, right? Luckily, one of the bluestones broke as it was being removed, leaving a piece behind that could be paired with the end of one of the stones in this famous circle. Amazing!
But the best-known feature of this place is this arrangement of huge standing stones.
So after all that, I’m sure you’ll find it an absolute breeze to tell me the name of this place and where in the world it is! Go on, hazard a guess in the comments.
And where were the boys last week?
Answer – Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, Japan! Congratulations to Tammie who pinpointed the boys’ exact location – nice one, Tammie! Be sure to swing by her site too… She’s preparing for the launch of her new novel at the end of the month and there are special offers and freebies up for grabs!
Don’t tell me, don’t tell me….this one is the Empire State Building, yes? : ) Thanks for the shout out. Not quite as good as a trip to Japan, but I’ll take any prize I can get.
No duh, it’s the Eiffel tower silly 😉
Argghh…I always get those two mixed up 🤓
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Yes, with the pyramids of Egypt in the foreground 😂 Glad you liked your prize – on the upside, this way you don’t need to deal with airports and air travel in the time of Covid. You’re welcome. Cheers for stopping in, Tammie!
This seems to be Stonehenge… or? 🐻🐼🐨
Have a pleasant day!
Herzlich Lu
Yes indeed, Lu! Well, the Stonehenge part, at least. We’ll have to go hunting for bears, pandas and koalas in a future episode 😂 Thanks for popping in, have a great day too!
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Oh I thought they were really there! I was wondering how they got away with running about famous ancient structures! 🙂
Hahaha! Yes, unfortunately Stonehenge is very definitely closed for the time being… But in more normal times it is possible to book a special visit to get up close and personal with those famous stones! Something to think about when you make it over to this side of the pond, maybe? Cheers for dropping in, Tierney!
I’d definitely like to get a 1 on 1 with Stonehenge…unless I start strangely glowing and sparkling during the visit – ha! 🙂
Hahaha! You know, I think I’d be prepared to take the risk. If nothing else, your photos from the visit would be interesting 😂
For a moment I thought the Beasties and grown in giants overnight!
Hahaha! Oh, the wonders of technology eh? Cheers for popping in, Mariss! 😁
I see some of the stones are lying on the ground….I hope Plunkett didn’t push them over for a closer look! I know he likes rock formations so I’m sure he was wild about this lot. Could he have found a better collection anywhere?
I think Plunkett would have had to have made himself A LOT bigger to stand a chance of pushing one of those mighty stones over! No, I think he got enough of a kick out of admiring them respectfully through his computer screen. It’s right up his street though, isn’t it? Thanks for dropping in, Queen Bee!
Technology is great isn’t it? Now the boys can go anywhere!
I read about the stone end they could trace the monument with – that must have been a staggering find!
Yes, I watched the documentary about the whole story behind the discovery of the original circle location (really interesting if you get a chance to see it, by the way) and I was so happy when they found this piece of proof! Those digs did NOT look fun!
Cheers for joining us on our digital adventures, Simon… And yes, the boys could end up just about anywhere next week 😁
I will have to look that up. Always good to join you and the boys… Let’s see where they go next! 😀
Great choice, P&P! How interesting that the bluestones are Welsh and 400 years younger than Stonehenge. It seems the concept of ‘upcycling’ has long been with us! 🙂 I would have liked to see the moving crew on that one! (and am now imagining a prehistoric upcycling Youtube tutorial). Hihi. 🙂
Hahaha! Yes, I can just picture it now… “Quarrying rocks is TOUGH, right? So in today’s tutorial I’ll show you how give your dull old stone circle a makeover in time for the summer solstice” 😂
Cheers for popping in, Shirley!
🤣 I nearly choked on my tea there. I think “Stone circle Makeover” needs to come to Netflix. 🤣 (and whoops, I meant to type 400 years *older* than Stonehenge. Which is incredible!).
I’d watch Stone Circle Makeover! I’m sure I’ve had less credible things playing in the background as I knit 😂
hey hey, how is the weekend going?? 🙂 would like to tell you that I nominated you, this blog and your lovely beasties for the Outstanding blogger award 🙂 of course dont feel obliged to take part, but it would be awesome to read your answers to the questions I left you at
https://worldwidepedrol.com/2021/02/20/outstanding-blogger-award/ 🙂 see you soon then, PedroL
Aww, thanks! Much appreciated 😊 I’ll pop over later and check it out… In the meantime, cheers for joining us on our travels! Hope your weekend was as good as can be in these weird times 😂
Thank you so much for your feedback 🙂 hope you and your little ones find it interesting to take part eheh have a great week, PedroL
Those are seriously cute AF!
Heehee, thank you! I assume you mean the stones in the circle? 😜
Naturally! 😂😂😂