Now, I have nothing against the stones In fact. I'm sure I'm missing something. But they are stones, and they are old, and many people think they're wonderful. But aren't all stones old, by definition? Each with its own little past?
But the bank - (see picture) - is wonderful for rolling down (if you are young. I tried rolling down a bank fairly recently, and found that at my age, it doesn't really work). And the hills are beautiful, and great for picnics, and there are some wonderful old oak trees. In fact, I really like Avebury.
Just not the stones.
(And just in case someone rises up in furious defence of the stones, please remember that (a) I have nothing against them and (b) like you, I am entitled to express my opinion. But if you like them, please do tell me why.)
I do like stone circles and other stone shapes. We, or at least I, don't know who put them there or why, but I'm sure it was a lot of effort and must have meant something important to them. I like that they cared enough to do it at the time and that the stones are still there for us to derive whatever benefit it is they're supposed to bring.
ReplyDeleteI guess my problem is that all those unanswered questions will never be answered, and so I'm for moving on. And picnics!
DeleteI love "old stones". If I happened to be passing by, I'd certainly find them worth a stop. With sites like this, what tickles our imagination is really the ancient forefathers who first bothered to bring the stones together and put them in a certain formation. How did they do it and why? (after all, they were only old stones, even back then...) Well, why do we still bother with gravestones and monuments? Because they will remain standing after we ourselves no longer do, and so connect the past with the now and the future.
ReplyDeleteGravestones and monuments commemorate particular people or events. The stones are there for.....what? But if you do stop off to admire them, I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Most people seem to!
DeleteThey are beautiful because they are mysterious. I think it's wonderful that you have your own stones to walk around. I've never made it to Stonehenge and now you can no longer walk amoung those stones. We have a little cluster in the ditch between my parent's house and what used to be Grandm's place. I have a lot of fond memories of playing on those old rocks. No mystery as to how they got where they are though. Dragged there by teams of horses when they cleared the fields for farming when my Great Grandfather first came to these parts. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Yvonne!
DeleteIn Derbyshire there is a large stone jutting out over the road and locals call it The Toad because that's what it looks like. It was there when I was a child and will still be there for generations to come. That's what is so fascinating about stones. They survive everything and are virtually indestructable.
ReplyDeleteBut so is the humble pebble! One of these stones is supposed to resemble a woman's ...er...bits. Can't see it myself. But I like the idea of a toad. I have soft spot for toads.
DeleteI am not much interested in big stones, but I did spend several months earlier this year collecting small round stones when gardening so that I could put them all together in another part of the garden as decoration. It was important to me that they were " local" stones, not bought in from goodness knows where. I have also in the past brought home various stones from places visited ( beaches and the like) and they now have their places in my garden.
ReplyDeleteMy first order via Amazon was cancelled as they had sold out of Birds and Bees! Hopefully I now have one on the way from a different seller.
Hope your husband is getting better and will soon be home.
He's improving slowly, thanks. But we live on four floors, and he hasn't tackled stairs yet!
DeleteI hope you enjoy Birds and Bees!
They are like a question mark in the landscape. Why? How? Who? It's not the stones, it's the story. Stand amongst the stones and reach out to all that has passed. (for about two minutes, and then move on)
ReplyDeleteI've done that, ER!
DeleteEnglish Rider has put it so well - it's not the stones, it's the story. I have nothing to add to that.
ReplyDeleteNever mind. Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteMust admit I like the mystery surrounding such stones, although I didn't get the sense of awe I expected when standing at the ones in Orkney! I used to love rolling down banks and have used such a scene (with an adult) in a recent Victorian short story.
ReplyDeleteI don't think awe can be summoned up on demand. Maybe that's what's bothering me!
DeleteYou live too close to them. On can't remain in awe-inspired mood all the time. As a tourist, you stop if you ARE in the mood for it. Not if you aren't.
DeleteVery pretty green landscape. I think the stones are interesting, but I'm the type that glances and says 'oh yeah, can we move on now?'.
ReplyDeleteCharmaine, you're a girl after my own heart!
DeleteI have never seen these stones at Avebury but my husband has and he has told me that he found it moving to think of how very old they are, to think of the people who put them there so long ago and how they lived on this same land that he calls his home. Even though he has lived in America since the 80's, England is still his home.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is why I would like to see these stones at Avebury.
I for one would pause to look at these stones...I am always interested in things that are different....the mystique.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that one could not walk around the stones at Stonehenge anymore. I still want to visit them though.