The rain patters softly outside, and we potter around inside, LSs birthday on the 18th, so as a birthday treat we are going to the opening of the new visitor centre at Stonehenge, unless of course it continues to rain for the next two days. The battery was flat over the weekend but seems cured of this minor fault, and so we can look forward to the trip. In another part of my life I'm a newshound, (put a page in front of me and I will read from beginning to end no matter what it says - compulsive) the Guardian and the Independent, tells of a pretend 'funeral cortege' up and down the road on the day because locals are cross because the little road used as a 'rat run' has been closed and grassed over and people can now walk to the stones from the new visitor centre, or use the the land train. Arthur Pendragon, chief druid of the Wiltshire lot will also be there because of the 'display of bones' of his ancestors - yes I know but don't go there because the argument is too emotive for him!
I have come across Arthur several times, once I followed him and his band (it's called the Warband) round Avebury, strolling forth they made the circuit of the stones, staffs in hand, not sure if anyone wore antlers but in their white cloaks quite impressive. Also saw him once, all by himself on top of Silbury Mound, he was doing a ceremonial service, must have been August, and everyone stood below listening, Professor Ronald Hutton was there to, a bemused smile at all the goings on. I am not being cruel I just love the way the world revolves and if Scientology is to be recognised well the Druids and their beliefs really have been on the scene for a few hundred years.
The new visitor centre is of course modern and controversial, it blends into the scenery, the car park hidden and is a much better option than the horrible old visitor centre that has now been thankfully demolished.
But what took my fancy this morning, and which I was going to write about, well it was this small Christmas video of the Animal Asia bears finding their xmas presents, perhaps OB will like it, it cheered me up anyway.
I liked it Thelma, it really cheered me up, so hope it did the same for OB
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it, there is a slow realisation in China that extracting bear bile is cruel, so I believe there is some optimism for the future.
DeleteHow lovely to see those bears enjoying freedom again (and freedom from pain) - they certainly enjoyed the mince pies.
ReplyDeleteI hope you make it to the new Visitor Centre at Stonehenge. We will have to try and get there next summer.
What would Britain be without its eccentrics?
"What would Britain be without its eccentrics?" I would not mind going eccentric and pretending the real world did not exist ;). Stonehenge accrues its history, sometimes I think what it represents to the imagination is probably far more important than its original purpose.
DeleteWe loved the video Thelma. Inspirational. x
ReplyDeleteSlightly teddy bear's picnic, but the bears are lovely. As they are mostly born into captivity freedom in the open is not an option, glad you both enjoyed it...
DeleteI suspect Arthur Pendragon may be Alexander Thynn in disguise.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Don't hear so much of Thynn and his 'wifelets' now, must lose them in the maze at Longleat.....
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