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!
You’d hardly believe you’re in the heart of one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world here. This temple is set in a park of tall old trees and shady bamboo groves, and it’s possible to grab a quiet moment or two to yourself there, as you can see.
The temple is dedicated to a former ruler of the country where it’s situated, and celebrated its 100th birthday last year. It’s not just a tourist attraction either… The locals love it too! Many (and from what I can see, that numbers in the millions) choose to come here for the first prayers of the new year, making it the most popular shrine in the country.
“Pop it in the side of the computer here… We’re on our way! Look at all those photos.”
Let’s swing in for a closer look.
I don’t know about you, but this is EXACTLY the kind of view I needed to see today! And the boys’ tour isn’t finished yet… Now they’re off to Carlingford town.
“Yes, Paddy! Carlingford Castle was built by King John of England, and has been here on the shores of the Lough since the 12th century.”
There’s a medieval church too. Plunkett is in raptures over all that lovely stonework.
“I’ll just zoom in here, for a closer look…”
I can think of worse places to spend a day looking for the “little people”! The Mourne mountains are also nearby.
“And there are some incredible beaches, too.”
“I’d love to go there sometime, Plunkett!”
“… We can!”
Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to walk this off later.
Glengesh Pass is pretty spectacular at any time of the year. The last time we were there it was late summer – look at those rolling green hills! It’s also on the way to Glencolmcille, where a Beastie can dip his paws in the Atlantic if the mood takes him.
Mind you, it’s not all sunshine and sand dunes here. Sometimes it can be a bit on the breezy side…
… And the traffic is terrible.
All this would really give you an appetite. Lunchtime! Conveniently enough, we’re just passing through Ardara… Nancy’s Bar here does a cracking lunch, and a very tasty homemade cider.
Alright, time to head north! And because we’re travelling by blog, we can enjoy two sunsets at two different locations. First, Fanad Head, where there’s a beautiful lighthouse to admire…
… And rocks to scramble over.
Next, we can journey to the northernmost point of the island of Ireland – Malin Head.
Then we can cruise by the wide sandy beach at Five Finger Strand…
… Before catching the last of the daylight on our way home.
Don’t forget to leave a rock monster behind to show we were here!
And once we get home, we can warm up by the fire and swap adventuring stories.
Aaaaah! Toasty.
He’s just spotted it there in the distance… The Giant’s Causeway! Time to rush over for a closer peek.
Normally Paddy is left stony-faced by Plunkett’s enthusiasm for rocks, but even he has to admit that this is pretty cool.
Even more so when he hears about how they got here. Volcanoes are always awesome, even if they happened 60 million years ago! And this is just the beginning.
And yes, you are allowed to walk on the stones! The lads took full advantage of that.
“Aaaaah! It’s actually quite comfortable up here.”
… Before heading off.
“Come on Paddy, we don’t want to miss our train home!”
See you all next time!
Looks good, lads… But check out the size of that portion! Where do they put it all?!
“Oh Plunkett, can we have a go?”
“… It really does!”
But once they’d untangled themselves from these coiled ship’s ropes, Paddy demanded more shoreline sightseeing.
In certain places along the north Antrim coast, the sea has created a number of large rock pools… Perfect for a cooling dip away from the currents and waves. There’s this one, above…
“Who’s Peggy, Plunkett?”
And then, to wrap up today’s coastal sightseeing tour, let’s swing by what might be one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere – Whitepark Bay.
On a bright day, the sands on this beach gleam white in the sunshine. But even when it’s a bit overcast, it’s a lovely spot to stroll and look for fossils. As Plunkett contemplates the wilder side of the beach…
“Look how big this beach is, Plunkett! Those people look Beastie-sized from up here!”
This fearsome-looking beast is the Massereene Wolfhound, and he was a handy pooch to have around back in the days when wolves still roamed free on the island of Ireland. In life, the hound saved Lady Marion Clotworthy when she was cornered by a pack of wolves on the shores of Antrim Bay. And having got a taste for heroics, he subsequently alerted the castle’s residents to an advancing party of human attackers, allowing them to mount defences and save themselves and their home.
“Aaaah, lovely. Welcome to Bushmills, Beastie friends!”
That’d be the River Bush, supposedly one of the best salmon fishing rivers in Ireland.
It’s one of over 80 listed buildings in the town, although I reckon the boys’ interests are more gastronomic than architectural. They tell me it does a very good Sunday carvery lunch, and then there’s that very tempting garden.
The 
Fortunately, they didn’t consume too many free samples, and they were able to round off their day with a nice stroll along Castlerock Beach. Just as well, because this is a big beach! You can’t tell as you approach it over the dunes…
… But it’s really huge!
Antrim’s north coast is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, and like Downhill Beach…
… Humans can bring their cars right down onto the sand.
And that unusual little building on the headland? That’s Mussenden Temple, a private library built by the 4th Earl of Bristol in memory of his cousin. Am I the only one would would LOVE a private library with a view like this?
Night night, lads!
“Look, Plunkett! I think there might be another staycation in the pipeline. Shall we?”
“If we climb into the knitting bag, we’ll get to travel in the car, not the boot. Then we can look out the window all the way to our destination… Wherever that might be!”
“If we end up in an escape-proof prisoner of war camp, Paddy, I’m holding you responsible!”
“There! What did I tell you? Floor-to-ceiling windows, soft carpeting under our paws… And the humans will never spot us back here!”
“… Is this a castle?”
You wouldn’t mind being locked in here though. Look at these beautiful gardens!
The locals seem friendly too… And it looks like there might be a happy event in the not-too-distant future!
Huh. I always wondered where new scarecrows came from – I guess we know now!
… This time it’s up to Paddy to choose what they get up to.
… They hop aboard the next departing car and make for the coast.
“Aaaaaah! I can smell the sea air already!”
I think this is exactly what Paddy had in mind! This is Mullaghmore Beach, a crescent of perfect sandy shoreline that stretches for 2 miles along the Sligo coastline. Paddy can’t wait to feel the sand under his paws!
But on the beach… Look out, Paddy! HERE BE MONSTERS!
Eeeek, look at the size of these jellyfish! Paddy doesn’t seem to be afraid of them, but maybe we’ll skip the dip in the Atlantic Ocean for today, and seek further adventures inland.
Better go and have a closer look.
“Whose legs are these, Plunkett?”
That’s more like it!
Then there’s juuuuuust time for a little refreshment before they head for home!
Have you had any adventures on your own doorstep recently? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments!
“What’s going on here, Paddy?”
“… But hop in here and we’ll soon find out!”
“We’re here! Um, where is here?”
“We’re in the west. Sligo, I think!”
“Aaaaaaah!”
So many waterfalls! You probably won’t be surprised to learn that this town, Ballysadare, takes its name from these beautiful rushing rivers. It’s called “Baile Easa Dara” in Irish, which means “town of the waterfall of the oak”. Clearly Paddy has gone in search of the oak!
And Plunkett LOVES these.
“Fine. But we’re definitely going to the beach tomorrow!”