Exploring – Page 8

More From Orkney!

Posted on August 28, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

I have to say, I’m incredibly impressed by the amount of interesting things Paddy and Plunkett have found to see and do on Orkney! For some relatively small islands, there’s a lot going on!

After their visit to Skara Brae, they decided to pop down the road to visit Skaill House, which is the “big house” of the Breckness estate, where Skara Brae is located. In fact, it was the 7th laird of the estate who first started excavations at Skara Brae back in 1850. According to this article I found, he used the house’s dining room table to display his finds from the site! Skaill House has been open to visitors since 1997, and it is just full of treasures, including this rather fearsome tigerskin rug…

Hey Plunkett, watch out for those teeth!

The boys also got to see the actual dinner service from Captain Cook’s ship! These well-travelled plates made it back from the famous explorer’s ill-fated final trip to Hawaii, and ended up here because Orkney was the ships’ first port of call in Britain on their return journey.

Am I the only one who’s having a hard time imagining intrepid explorers and salty sea dogs eating their dinner from one of these pretty floral plates? It certainly looks like the Beasties are bemused by them too!

After a spot of lunch, the lads thought they’d check out the Ring of Brodgar, which is part of the same UNESCO World Heritage site as Skara Brae.

This stone circle (officially described as a “Neolithic henge and stone circle) is the third largest in the British Isles, and the most northerly. It’s quite a mysterious place – its age is still uncertain, and although an archaelogical excavation took place in the summer of 2008, many questions about the site, such who built it and why, remain unanswered.

Unfazed by unsolved historical riddles, Paddy and Plunkett were at least able to establish a purpose for one of the stones now – as a handy viewing platform!

Then they rounded off their day with a visit to the working blacksmith’s workshop in St Margaret’s Hope…

… And a wee dram*!

Uh-oh… Too much, perhaps?

Let’s hope this doesn’t spoil their holiday! I wouldn’t like to be in their woolly little shoes tomorrow morning…

* “A wee dram” = “A spot of light liquid refreshment”

Plunkett Investigates Skara Brae - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

This Is What Happens…

Posted on August 21, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

…When you let a pair of adventurous Beasties out into the world, and then forget to check up on them regularly. With so much else going on last week, Paddy and Plunkett’s ongoing Scottish adventures kiiiinda slipped through the net… Sorry lads!

To try and get my attention, they decided to abandon the Scottish mainland and visit the Orkney Islands – an archipelago of around 70 islands that lie 10 or so miles north of the northernmost point of Great Britain. Having put their hiking boots on (with debatable success), it was time to head out and explore!

Their adventure started in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkneys! It’s a town and port on the largest of the islands, and about 9000 people live there. It’s also got history – the first mention of it was in the Orkneyinga saga, a part-fiction, part historical account of the lives and times of the earls of Orkney, written by an unknown Icelandic author in around 1230. According to the saga, Kirkwall (or “Kirkjuvagr”, as it was then) existed as far back as 1046… That means that in a few years’ time, the people of Kirkwall can legitimately celebrate the 1000th birthday of their home town!

However, Paddy was apparently more interested in checking out this creepy grinning skull on one of the tombstones in St Magnus Cathedral!

Mind you, it looks like Plunkett was too afraid to even venture inside! Oh no, wait… he’s just getting himself some lunch.

Probably a good idea, since their next move was to cut across the middle of Mainland Orkney to Stromness…

…And from there, make their way over to the west coast to see Skara Brae!

Skara Brae is a Neolithic village, sometimes called “the Scottish Pompeii” because it’s so incredibly well preserved. However, it’s much, much older than Pompeii – it’s estimated that the eight houses here were occupied between 3180-2500 BCE (thanks for the numbers, Wikipedia!), meaning that Skara Brae predates both the Pyramids and Stonehenge!

The story of how Skara Brae came to be rediscovered is also pretty interesting… It seems that no-one was aware that there had been a settlement here until the winter of 1850, when a severe storm lifted the topsoil covering a lumpy hill known as Skerrabra. Once the storm clouds had dispersed, locals were intrigued to find the outlines of a number of small houses, complete apart from their roofs! The site fell victim to a number of well-intentioned (mostly) amateur archaeological excavations in the years that followed, until another storm in 1924 swept away one of the unearthed houses. It became clear that this important find could be completely lost if it wasn’t properly cared for, so a professor from the University of Edinburgh, who revelled in the glorious name Vere Gordon Childe, was put in charge of all further efforts to make the site secure and investigate its history. His work started in 1927, and today Skara Brae enjoys UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Plunkett was certainly interested to see these ancient underground houses!

Meanwhile, Paddy was getting up close and personal with the Neolithic furniture – it was full of Beastie hiding places!

I wonder if there were Beasties back then?

More Paddy and Plunkett adventures next week – I’ll definitely be keeping a closer eye on them in future!

Paddy and Plunkett at the Glasgow Mausoleum - H Crawford/CrawCrafts Beasties

Bonny Beastie Scotland!

Posted on August 7, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties

Paddy and Plunkett are back!

Or, more correctly, they’ve gone on holiday again and sent me more tales of their adventures to use on the BeastieBlog. This time, they’re exploring the delights of Scotland!

Their journey begins in Glasgow, which is almost a homecoming for them – I’m a quarter Glaswegian myself, so there should be a teeny bit of Scottishness knitted into the genetic material of these otherwise Irish little monsters!

Their first photocall was at the Glasgow Necropolis…

…What is it with Beasties and graveyards at the minute?!

They also visited the Transport Museum – Paddy has a bit of a thing for classic cars.

I think he’s going to have to find someone a little taller than him to help with the driving, though. Meanwhile, architecture buff Plunkett had stumbled on this incredible staircase at the Central Hotel, in the railway station!

Since they were in the station anyway, the two of them decided to hop on a train and head to Aberdeen on the north east coast… And look what they found when they arrived!

How nice of the locals to knit up a cosy Beastie hotel for them to stay in!
“We think we’ll stay here for a while… Check back with us in a week or so!”

About Paddy and Plunkett
Paddy and Plunkett are a special sub-species of Beastie called “Barróg Beasties”. “Barróg” is the Irish word for “hug”, which neatly sums up how friendly these little monsters are! They’re also special because they’re made from 100% Irish wool, which is spun and dyed in a family-owned mill in Co. Kilkenny.

Super-observant regular readers may also notice that further changes have been afoot on the BeastieBlog – after nearly two years with the same look, I was encouraged by Blogging 101 to consider overhauling my theme. I’d love to know what you think of our makeover… let me know in the comments!

Today on Blogging 101…

Posted on August 6, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Info, Knitted Beasties

…It’s all about you, lovely readers!

Today, I’ve been asked to write something especially for my imagined ideal audience member. And the unspoken first part of the assignment is, I suppose, to have a bit of a think about who that person might be, and what makes them tick.

When I started this blog in (checks facts) November 2013, I had a very clear plan for it – the blog was here to support my embryonic Beastie business. I had just quit a job in a web design company in Northern Ireland to move back to Dublin and, coming from that background, the idea of attempting to start a business without some kind of online presence was completely unthinkable. So, I set up my blog, and went about filling it with photos of my work, in the hope of getting more people interested in what I was doing. Back then, I was writing for customers, and I was simply telling them what I was making, and where they could buy it.

But somewhere along the line, it seems to me that something shifted. If I were to try to pin it down to a particular moment, I’d say it was the first time Explorer Beastie went out for an adventure.

Having Explorer Beastie accompany me when I went out and about allowed me to start bringing some of my other passions onto the blog – travel, food and sharing my favourite places around Dublin. And then, as more Beasties went to new homes further afield, I started having even more material for these kinds of posts…
…So it began to feel like a real little community! The BeastieBlog might have started life as “the store”, but now it’s the fan club. And in my book, that’s a lot more worthwhile.

All this considered, how do I see my ideal reader now? Well, I imagine they’re quite similiar to me – people who grew up loving cartoons and hoping that their stuffed animals would come alive (although not in a “Child’s Play” kind of way). They still get a kick out of exploring new places, even if they’re only across town, and they’re constantly amazed by the bizarre array of creatures we share the planet with. They’re probably a bit kooky or nerdy, and have a penchant for cult movies and almost-forgotten music. They love to read, but were never too big on sports. And they always have time for a bit of silliness.

So to you, imaginary perfect reader, I want to say – RELAX. This isn’t just for kids. There is enough serious stuff going on the world, and you can get back to it in a few minutes – if you want to. For now, fix yourself a cup of tea and your favourite treat, and come and hang out with me and my little monsters.

The second half of today’s project is to use a new element in my blog, to mix things up a little. Exciting! I didn’t actually realise that I was able to embed from Pinterest, so I’m going to share a couple of boards that I’ve been putting together recently. Enjoy!

Goth Beastie in Glasnevin Cemetery, by CrawCrafts Beasties

Glasnevin Cemetery, With Goth Beastie

Posted on July 31, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family, Knitted Beasties

Call me macabre, but there’s nothing I like better than wandering around cemeteries. They’re peaceful, interesting and a little creepy at the same time. And Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery is one of my favourites! Luckily it’s just across the river and up the road, in the inner suburbs on the north side of the city. Opened in 1832, it now covers an area of around 124 acres, and is the final resting place of 1.5 million of Dublin’s departed. On my most recent visit, I was accompanied by Goth Beastie. She looked strangely at home among the gravestones…

If you’re interested in Irish history, Glasnevin is a must-see. Many of the significant figures from our recent past are buried here, including Daniel O’Connell, whose campaign to allow Catholics to be offered the same right to a dignified funeral as Protestants led to the establishment of this very graveyard! An early-mediaeval style round tower stands on his tomb, and it can be seen from pretty much anywhere in the cemetery – it’s in the background of this photo…

Glasnevin is also home to some beautiful old trees, which line the pathways between the graves…

And there’s such a huge variety of styles in the monuments here, too! There are underground crypts…
…Traditional crosses…

…And some more understated ones. Goth Beastie was particularly taken with this one.

But it wasn’t long before the sun got too high in the sky for certain pale-faced Beastie ladies! There was just time for Goth Beastie to seek out a little cool shade before we headed for home…

How do you feel about graveyards? An interesting place to spend an afternoon, or too spooky for words?

Summer in the Countryside

Posted on July 24, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Explorer Beastie

It’s been a while since we last caught up with Explorer Beastie… with so many of his Beastie brothers and sisters sending reports of their travels to us, he hasn’t really got a look-in! So a trip out west to my boyfriend’s family farm was a perfect opportunity for him to take a wander, and for me to take some long-overdue photos.

First up – check in with the cows!
Cows in Roscommon - CrawCrafts Beasties Then a quick stop to smell the flowers… Explorer Beastie Stops to Smell the Flowers - CrawCrafts Beasties …And then off up the road!

I think this is the first chance I’ve had to share photos of the farm in high summer, and even I was surprised at how green everything was! Look at this… no filters, no fiddling, just nature doing its thing.

Next, we decided to head up onto the bog. The path was a bit overgrown… but that’s no problem for an adventurous little Beastie!

Even in summertime, the bog is noticeably less lush than the surrounding meadows – definitely easier terrain for those with slightly shorter legs!
Explorer Beastie with the Bog Plants - CrawCrafts Beasties
It’s also the perfect place to stop for a snooze in the sun! Explorer Beastie found himself a comfy place to rest for a minute in a patch of springy heather. I bet he’s glad he packed his sunscreen!

After a refreshing nap, there was more exploring to be done!
Explorer Beastie Makes a Botanical Discovery - CrawCrafts Beasties
But eventually Explorer Beastie decided he’d had enough of my paparazzi-ing, and made a break for it in the long grass!

Don’t worry, he made it home in time for dinner!

More Beastie adventures next week, wishing you all a monster weekend!

Mia Beastie in the Mountains!

Posted on July 17, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

Hooray! I always love to catch up with Beasties after they’ve left Beastie Towers for their new homes. This week, I’m happy to share some photos of Mia Beastie, taken just after her move to Poland a couple of months ago! Of course, she had to get there first… Passports at the ready!

And don’t forget to check the size of your cabin baggage…

I think Mia Beastie was really excited to see planes for the first time!

Once she touched down in her new home, Mia Beastie started exploring pretty much immediately! Her first big adventure was a visit to Zakopane, a town in the very south of Poland, near the Slovakian border. Zakopane lies at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, and is a popular destination for skiers and climbers. Mia Beastie decided to tackle Kasprowy Wierch first… it’s one of the most popular ski peaks in Poland, and it marks the border with Slovakia, so you can literally be in two places at once.

You can also take a cable car to the top, which makes the climb a lot easier. Well, Mia Beastie didn’t want to ruin her pretty dress!

Look at that view! And there was more to come…

It was certainly a bit nippy at the top of the mountain, but the scenery made it totally worthwhile! Mia Beastie was also tempted to try her hand at skiing, but unfortunately they didn’t have any skis in her size…
Let's go skiing! Mia Beastie at Kasprowy Wierch - A Szymura/CrawCraftsBeasties
Soon it was time to come down again… the prospect of tasty pierogi for dinner meant that Mia Beastie wasn’t going to hang around in the mountains all day! Better head back to that cable car…
And apart from one hair-raising moment, when someone suggested Mia Beastie might like to recreate some of the action scenes from “Where Eagles Dare”…

…She made it safely back down to earth!

Let’s hope Mia Beastie has lots more adventures with her new Polish family! Thanks to Anna for sending me the photos 🙂

Submarines and Seascapes… Paddy and Plunkett in Portsmouth, Part 3

Posted on July 10, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

Last week, we left adventurous Irish Beasties Paddy and Plunkett in something of a sticky situation… captured by an irate security guard who objected strenuously to Paddy’s attempts to take HMS Warrior for a test drive!

However, this week I’ve received another round of photos in which the pair of them appear to have eluded their captor… How can this be?
“A good escape artist never reveals his secrets,” says Plunkett. “And anyway, we had to go and have a look around the Alliance submarine.”

Fair enough.

Although it seems like Plunkett was really only interested in hanging out in the bar…

Apparently when Alliance was in use, food was stored just about anywhere they could find space. So yes, those beers are indeed being stashed in a torpedo tube! Fortunately, it’s a long time since any torpedoes were launched from this submarine – Alliance has been a museum since 1981, so Plunkett can enjoy his tinnies in peace.

Suitably refreshed, the two lads set off for the Figurehead Museum…

…Where they met some pretty unusual ladies!
Yikes! Imagine if you saw those faces leering at you from the front of a battleship! But look what was waiting for the boys around the corner…

…A whole knitted underwater scene! Look closely and you’ll see turtles, starfish and mermaids as well as hundreds of multicoloured fish! Paddy and Plunkett could have stayed here for hours, but then they saw this…

“Is that the Giant’s Causeway? We really have been away for quite a while… maybe it’s time to head home. Hope you’ve enjoyed following us around Portsmouth, see you soon for more monster adventures!”

Paddy and Plunkett Head to Portsmouth

Posted on June 26, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

These adventurous little monsters can’t seem to get enough of life on the high seas! After their recent visit to the National Maritime Museum in Co.Dublin, Paddy and Plunkett have resurfaced in Portsmouth – a city with centuries of naval history to its name. Coming as they do from an island nation, it’s little wonder that they felt immediately at home here – Portsmouth is the only island city in the UK!
Ever eager for excitement, the first thing they did was to climb the Spinnaker Tower (that’s it in the background of the photo) and get a bird’s eye view of the city. This is always especially thrilling for a Beastie, since they spend most of their time significantly closer to the ground. Check out that view!
Mind you, I nearly had kittens when I saw this next photo…
Fortunately there’s a nice thick layer of glass floor to keep the boys airborne – for a moment there I was certain they’d decided to take up BASE jumping!

Their next outing was a bit more sedate – a trip over to the Isle of Wight by hovercraft. They got a great day for it… Here’s Paddy posing with The Needles, a line of chalk stacks that’s one of Britain’s most famous natural landmarks.
They made some friends while they were there too!
With all this exploring, the afternoon just zipped by! So much so that… uh oh! Is that the hovercraft heading back to the mainland without them?

YIKES!

Will Paddy and Plunkett ever make it back to Portsmouth? Or are they going to be marooned indefinitely on the Isle of Wight? You’ll have to wait until next week to find out…

Climber Beastie Gets a Little Bo(U)lder!

Posted on June 19, 2015June 19, 2021 by crawcraftsbeasties in Beastie Family

Climber Beastie is at it again! Last week I was sent a few pictures of his rock-based fun and games in France over Easter. He was really looking forward to tackling these big boulders at Fontainebleau (a paradise for climbers just 60km outside Paris) and even the slightly soggy weather that day wasn’t going to slow him down!

Ready, set… CLIMB!

…Nearly there!

However, scaling these dizzying heights was just training for something far more extreme…

…Playtime with Amelie the kitten!

ADRENALINE RUSH!

Who knows where Climber Beastie’s thrillseeking will take him next?

Has anyone else any similiarly exciting weekend plans? Share your dangerous exploits in the comments… Happy Friday, everyone!

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