The Mystery of Stonehenge

Posted on January 22nd, 2009 in Travel by

The Mystery of Stonehenge

5000 years ago at a site near Amesbury, Wiltshire in England, someone decided to dig a serious of circular holes. Each of these holes was around a metre deep, a metre wide, and formed a part of a circle of 284 feet in diameter. Although human remains have been found, it is thought that the holes, known as ‘Aubrey Holes’, where originally excavated for some kind of religious ceremony. For whatever reason, the site was abandoned soon after its conception, and remained untouched for another 1000 years.

Then another ‘Bright-Spark’ had the brilliant idea of building a stone henge. Now, some of the rocks weighed around 4 tons, and just to make things a little more interesting, it was decided to bring in bluestones from the Preseli Mountains in Wales, some 240 miles away. Bear in mind, 4000 years ago a low-loader was out of the question. How they were moved, no-one knows for sure, but it is generally believed that the huge rocks were first inched along the coast of South Wales on rollers. That in itself is astonishing, but when you hear that the rocks were then loaded on to rafts and sailed up the rivers Avon and Frome, it becomes an almost superhuman effort. Back to the rollers again to move them overland to a place near modern day Warminster, then once more onto rafts to transport them on the River Wylye to Salisbury, and if that wasn’t enough, they then dragged them overland to where they are today. Let’s face it, no-one is going to move them again in a hurry. Imagine that journey, then multiply it by 82. Yes 82, that’s how many bluestones were moved from Wales, not counting any that may lie on the seabed through mishaps.
Anyway, after everyone had a nice cup of tea, the rocks were arranged in an incomplete double circle. The ‘Avenue’ was formed which aligned with the midsummer sunrise, and a pair of ‘Heel Stones’ were erected. Some of the stones were used as lintels, and if you’ve ever seen pictures of Stonehenge, it defies belief how these were ever lifted into position.

Why did they do it? Why did they go to all that trouble to create whatever Stonehenge is? I doubt very much that we’ll ever know with complete certainty, although the idea of a place of worship seems the most likely. There are other theories of course, such as the huge calendar idea. One of the problems is that Stonehenge was built by a culture with no written language, so there are no rock carvings to decipher. Over the years, the mystery of Stonehenge has been the focus of many books and debates, which have spawned some interesting theories. It’s not difficult to find someone who honestly believes that the rocks were placed in position by some extraterrestrial intelligence, or by time travellers who have yet to be born, but let me give you my theory; they’re nutters, and as for Stonehenge, I’m not even going to hazard a guess.

A more palatable theory was proposed by Mike Parker Pearson, the head of the Stonehenge Riverside Project. He suggests that Stonehenge was joined to Durrington Walls which lies two miles to the east. Durrington was the land of the living whilst Stonehenge was reserved for the dead, the journey between the two being the transition from life to death. Geoffrey Wainwright, of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and Timothy Darvill believe that Stonehenge was a place of healing.

It’s difficult to see how anyone can own such a place as Stonehenge, so let’s say that it has been looked after by some notable people, none more so than Henry V111, who having acquired Amesbury Abbey, gave Stonehenge and the surrounding land to the Earl of Hertford in 1540. It then passed to Lord Carleton and then to the Marquis of Queensbury. In 1824, the Antrobus family purchased the estate, but when in 1915, their last heir was killed during World War 1 they sold it by auction to one Cecil Chubb for £6,600, who subsequently handed it on to the nation.

1920 saw a nationwide appeal aimed at saving Stonehenge from being swallowed up by modern buildings, which were springing up in the vicinity. An aerodrome had been built during the war, and a road junction had appeared perilously close to the stones. In 1928, the land around Stonehenge was given to the National Trust in order to preserve the integrity of the landscape. Stonehenge was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Britain in 2002.

Alan Liptrot writes for Your UK Property Rentals.com, providing worldwide holiday rentals and holiday cottages

The Mystery of Stonehenge / Author: Alan Liptrot

Visiting the Ian Potter Center National Gallery of Victoria Australia

Posted on January 22nd, 2009 in Travel by

Visiting the Ian Potter Center: National Gallery of Victoria, Australia…

The Ian Potter Centre is the Australian wing of the collection in National Gallery of Victoria and the centre is located at Federation Square in Melbourne. There are over 20000 Australian art works in the areas of paintings sculptures, photography and even the indigenous art works and this collection is considered as one of the oldest and most well known collections of Australian art in the region.

The Ian Potter Centre holds some of the works by the artists namely Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts, Sidney Nolan and even the indigenous art works of William Barak and Emily Kngwarreye. The centre also has a touring exhibition to promote the Australian art around the world and hosts special collection of works by the prominent Australian artists.

The gallery opens at 10a.m.and closes at 5p.m. and it is closed on every Monday except for any public holidays. The National Gallery of Victoria’s shop is also open from 10a.m. to 5p.m. and from that a visitor can buy some souvenir to remember the journey. Getting to The Ian Potter Centre is pretty much easy from Flinders Street Trams or from train. Ample parking spaces are also available for the visitors.

The Ian Potter Centre organizes various educational programs targeting different segments of audiences. The program range is pretty much wide and includes activities such as lectures, floor talks, workshops, tours, films, performances and special children’s activities as well. Special access to the differently able people and late-night openings are also available after the prior noticing.

There is so much to see and witness in Melbourne, Ian Potter Centre is just one of the myriad of attractions this city has to offer. A great way to relax after a tiring sightseeing is to unwind at a luxury spa in Melbourne. Chuan Spa Melbourne is one of those great places to relax in Melbourne offering a traditional Wu Xing spa experience.

Visiting the Ian Potter Center: National Gallery of Victoria, Australia… / Author: eMarketingEye
 
Naveen Marasinghe is an Online Marketing Executive at eMarketingEye which is a search engine marketing company that offers integrated Internet marketing services and specializes in serving the online travel and hospitality industry. (http://www.emarketingeye.com/ )

Toronto Airport Limousine Cabs

Posted on January 22nd, 2009 in Travel by

Toronto Airport Limousine Cabs

Pearson Airport Limousine has a wide variety of limousines, Shuttles and Taxis. Pearson is looking to enlarge throughout toronto and Other states by joining the possessions they have. Our plan is to have Limos obtainable where and when people wish for Limousines, at a reasonable price, of all descriptions, Including limo, taxis , party buses.

Toronto limo determined lavishness taxis, business, particular occasions, airport transfers, Toronto limo make bigger limousines – special occasions and for weddings. Pearson reinstated vintage cars and classic cars.

Pearon Airport Limo Network

Airport service: It is a service studied for the clients that get there at the airport. Our manufacture office continually checks with internet the circumstances of the incoming flights, broadcasting the likely holdup or annulment.

Point to point: It is a limo toronto service, car hire with driver service, the compilation from a point, mainly hotels, restaurants, offices, dwellings, to another point, another hotel, restaurant, office, dwelling.

Road show: It is a service of car hire with driver, airport limo service, deliberate for the business man who wants to move rapidly from a place to another, reverence a agenda of meetings and a well prearranged timing, from a bank to another, from an office to another.

City tour: It is a service of limousine car hire with driver, addressed to a client who wants to unwind and take pleasure in the traveler prosperity of the place he’s in.

Meeting & Events: Pearson Airport Limousine employees is prepared to help you out, signifying transportation answer, car hire with driver, (limousine service) both with cars and buses of the utmost brands. Our knowledge joined with a deep net of international associates are our power point, that permit us to be there where our customers have to systematize a meeting, an occasion, a ceremony.

Travel Agents: Your travel agency has many car hire dealers that come banging at your door to present a limo, car hire services? You still haven’t establish the car appoint firm to trust? Well, Pearson Airport Limousine Network is the correct obsession for you and present a one and only “project solution” prepared to turn into your worldwide dealer and, from side to side an canadian and worldwide network.

All Pearson vehicles are kept, restored and rebuilt to the highest standard as you expect from a Pearson. We also have Lincoln limousines, Lincoln Limousine in Black and Lincoln Limousines in white and Lincoln limousines stretch in white and Black.

Toronto Airport Limousine Cabs / Author: Sharon Greenslade

Visit The Men Arena A Snazzy Theatre In Manchester

Posted on January 22nd, 2009 in Travel by

Visit The Men Arena, A Snazzy Theatre In Manchester

Manchester has a population of 452,000 & has been a city since 1853. in a 2006 poll of british business leaders, the city was voted as the finest place in great britain to situate a business. as well as this, Manchester was the host of the 2002 commonwealth games, & has a number of other sporting connections, containing the city being home to man united.

Manchester came to prominence in the nineteeth century, when it was at the centre of the industrial revolution. The city was perfect for the textile business as it was rather humid, as well as a perfect supply of water. The city’s rivers also generated water power that powered the machinery in the mills. the ready supply of coal & the transportation system of railways and roads also helped it to become an industrial centre. for this reason, countless mills started springing up throughout the city.

Manchester’s mills are still there today, although many of them have been transformed into flats and offices. thank you to a 1996 ira bomb that destroyed a chunk of the city centre, Manchester also has multitude modern buildings, too.

There are loads of activities to do in Manchester. From gorgeous green spaces to insightful museums, you cannot be bored in this city.

One of manchester’s finest museum is URBIS, which is the museum of urban life. The museum has countless permanent collections, as well as frequent touring exhibits. recent exhibits have been on gardening & fashion designer matthew williamson.

Manchester is a fantastic place for shopping lovers with a vast range of stores that suit any taste. you will find designer stores like vivienne westwood & armani on the city’s exclusive King Street, in addition to bigger department stores for instance harvey nicholls.

Discount shoppers will be pleased to know that there are plenty of high street stores on Market st. some of the best known stores are facelift, hmv & Game.

Manchester is well-known for its shops, which means that it is only right that you give us a try. Whether you like a slow glass of rose wine or going to a gig, we are sure that you will find some great things to do in this playful city.

Manchester is associated with music and a number of well-known bands come from the city, which contain oasis, Badly Drawn Boy and morrissey. if you’d like to catch the next big thing, you will find countless live music venues in the city.

For a more vip evening out, you could visit one of the city’s vip bars instead. Here you will be able to associate with an refined crowd and have some high quality cocktails.

Manchester boasts branches of most major hotel chains, so you will find some fantastic places to stay. you will be able to choose from the likes of the Hilton, the malmaison & the Radisson, so you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic stay in the city.

On the other hand, the city boasts numerous bed and breakfasts & backpacker hostels, which are well-suited to travellers on a budget.

Thank you for perusing our tourist guide to manchester!

Gracia Westolick is a former beauty model. She used to be a very successful busty Manchester escort, having spent many years escorting in Glasgow and being a professional model in Manchester.

Visit The Men Arena, A Snazzy Theatre In Manchester / Author: gracia westolick

Find Out More Information About Wonderful Yorkshire

Posted on January 9th, 2009 in Travel by

Find Out More Information About Wonderful Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a diverse & beautiful county, which offers miles of beautiful countryside, including National Parks and gardens. in addition to this, the county offers some vibrant cities for instance Leeds and Sheffield, plus some smaller market towns like Harrogate.

According to 1991 research, Yorkshire has a population of 3,978,484. This ensures it is the largest county in great britain, which is why the county is split into four bits: north yorkshire, south yorkshire, west yorkshire and east yorkshire.

Yorkshire is a extremely historic county, which was first occupied after the retreat of the ice age in approximately 8,000 BC. when the first millennium, Yorkshire was lived in by Romans, Angles & Vikings. in fact, yorkshire’s name, first appeared in the anglo saxon chronicle in 1065.

In the nineteenth century, Yorkshire was well-known as an industrial county thanks to its booming textile, steel & mining industries. The rapid expansion of these industries increased the countys population.

As Yorkshire is such a major location, there are lots of activities to do. Indeed, you will find that the county boasts many of museums and art galleries to offer.

In Batley, you can visit the Yorkshire Motor Museum. This lively museum has over 40 vintage, retro and classic cars, which are exciting to look at. alternatively, you can visit the yorkshire air museum in york. This astonishing museum boasts a exciting collection of significant aircraft for visitors to enjoy.

Yorkshire is a huge county, which means that it’s no surprise that it offers excellent shops. From excellent markets in smaller towns such as Harrogate, to large shopping centres in the cities of Leeds and Sheffield, you will find something for any shopper to enjoy in yorkshire.

Meadow hall is a really popular shopping mall in Sheffield. it was one of the first out of town shopping centres in england and has a sizable two hundred and forty stores.

With a wide variety of small market towns & enormous cities, Yorkshire boasts a varied shops that has something for everyone to enjoy.

If you enjoy down to earth evenings out at a rustic inn with a pint of cider & your mates, enjoy one of Yorkshire’s market towns for instance Harrogate. alternatively, you’ll find more elite cocktail bars in the county’s larger cities for instance Leeds & Sheffield. In these elite cocktail bars, you’ll be able to sip a tasty cocktail or glass of red wine in beautiful surroundings.

Thank you for browsing our yorkshire guide. If you require any many more intelligence on Yorkshire, please get in touch your closest vacationist information centre.

Leisha Greenfield spent 10 years working as a visitor guide at various top London tourist attractions, she now writes articles on UK tourism, focusing on Harrogate tourist information, especially Huddersfield art galleries

Find Out More Information About Wonderful Yorkshire / Author: Ms Leisha Greenfield

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