Zadok The Priest

I remember first hearing this piece of music as a child in 1977 as part of a TV series which was in some way related to the monarchy this being the year of the Silver Jubilee. Although I have long since ceased being a member of a choir I did have the privilege of singing this on a number of occasions and it makes my spine tingle to this day.

Arilx

The Ideal Home Show.

I am guessing that Ingvar Kamprad cannot have imagined in his wildest dreams that he would launch such a successful empire when he founded Ikea. "Easy" [that point is debatable methinks] to assemble furniture, innovative storage designs, lots of fun and funky items which transform a house into a home. He is now listed as one of the wealthiest people in the world yet his idea, although innovative for the time, was hardly new. Turn the clock back 5000 years to a time before Stonehenge and the Pyramids and what do we have.......

Why flat pack furniture and built in cupboards............Skara Brae

Box beds, a dresser with a hidden storage space behind to conceal treasured items [sounds like a stone age safe to me!] and cupboards which would have had to be planned as part of the construction of the external walls. Due to the delicate nature of the houses you can't wander around them but the reconstruction below gives you a good feel for what it might have looked like back in the day.

The visit was fascinating I have to say but a little too sanitised for my liking [a bit like when you go to see Stonehenge] so fickle bird that I am I have to say that I enjoyed Barnhouses just as much even a little more. Although they are less complete you can wander around and still get a feel for them in the context in which they were built- if you look in the background you can see how close they are to the Stones of Stenness.

Like us our ancestors were filling their houses with all sorts of bits and bobs that put their individual stamp on their homes. One of the houses at Skara Brae still has a visible pattern scratched onto the bed ends and the finds show they had time on their hands to create and decorate items. I strongly suspect that originally there might have been some form of paint on the walls here too as found at the ongoing Ness of Brodgar dig. The photo shows pots made from oyster shells, whale vertebrae amongst other materials which still contain red ochre mixed with animal fat.

This pot has been made based on pottery shards found and the patterns were made using shells and bones.

Neolithic jewellery and beads made from various materials including a dog's tooth.

A mystery object. When I mentioned to the chap from Scottish Heritage that I had seen similar examples in the British Museum last year he said that he'd recently had a conversation with a fellow who's seen these type of carved stones being used like talking sticks in certain African tribes.

Finally this antler pick which beats all the others hands down. It's got some incised marks at one end and incredibly I was allowed to handle it. Instantly it reminded me of how I've drawn spirals on my Morris sticks so that everyone knows who they belong to it. Loved the feeling of being in touch with my ancestors.

The exciting thing about the Neolithic history on Orkney is it's evolving all the time as more discoveries are made year on year. You can keep up to date with all the latest news on the archaeology blog which covers the  Ness of Brodgar annual dig here http://www.orkneyjar.com/archaeology/nessofbrodgar/

Arilx

Caution! Slow Moving Muvva!

Being away on holiday, without the day to day distraction of everyday life and domestic trivia, not only gave me a much needed change of scene and pace but it also gave me thinking time. My anxiety by and large keeps my brain whirring and my physical self busy most of the time [or I'm conked out taking a much needed Nana nap] so it's a privilege I often deny myself. During the long drive up I was able to ponder various matters and the notes pane on my phone proved invaluable as I jotted down various musings before they disappeared into the ether.

There is no doubt that I have made progress these past few months since I have come off the old chuckle pills for the first time since 2009. Rescue Remedy has been my friend but even the need for that sort of crutch is dissipating. One of the decisions I had already reached prior to Orkney was to continue my gentle jogging as there is no doubt it helps me to keep the levels of adrenaline down and boost the serotonin. At one point I had decided to shelve the whole idea all together as I started to get caught up in all the hype around races but as I neared the 10k mark I gave myself permission to stop. I have no desire to run great long distances but just enough to keep me ticking over and keep my legs strong to help with the Morris stepping that's integral to our performances. I invested in some decent running shoes a few weeks ago so that I don't risk injury as I rely on the old bod to be able to earn my wonga as a housesparkling elf.

So as of this evening I've put a date in the diary for when I'd ideally like to be able to run a 5km Park Run again without stopping and set the timer on my phone for 10 minutes for a first trot out. Nothing is set in stone and I actually ran for longer than intended as I am still reasonably fit. Fear not I won't be dedicating endless posts to progress or otherwise- I simply intend to step outside my door and put one foot in front of the other. Simples. I honestly don't foresee me becoming a convert- if I was going to I think it would have happened by now....unlike another addiction of mine....erm did I ever mention that I'm a Morris Dancer?!! This is me at the weekend- I'm the one second in!

Arilx

Evening!

Most 'umblest apologies for my erratic blogging this month...normally I manage a postlet a day but having been away and only got back late last Monday and then bustled out of the door again after I'd finished my housesparkling commitment Friday morning for a whole weekend away I appear to have lost that darned jar with my brain in again! You'll be pleased to hear [or maybe not!] that there are no more big skipping off type jollies looming on the horizon so I should be able to gather my thoughts a little more coherently. I gave up in the end last week as I just couldn't engage the old grey matter sufficiently to write anything even half decent! Anyhow this chap is either a grey or a common seal [I can guarantee that if I say one or t'other I shall be wrong] was seen from the ferry as we crossed over to Orkney.

As for this weekend's shenanigans well....

There was originally a very innocent explanation in that my lovely dancing chum L and I were sheltering in her tent out of the drizzle but didn't want to get mud inside. However, she was breaking in a pair of New Rocks so she'd brought her other pairs just in case....well then we just got silly and rather smutty as you can see. Here we are in absolute hysterics!

Arilx

Looking At A Load Of Old Stones.

Well for once I have to agree with the teenager's summary of our time spent on Orkney but without the rolling of eyes and the mildly disparaging tone in which the original words were uttered! To be fair to him he has seen a lot of stone circles in his short time on the planet and therefore, is perfectly entitled to be feeling henge fatigue.

At 5000 years old this is believed to be the oldest stone circle - The Stones of Stenness. Although only a few remain now they are impressive. Unlike the big blocks at Avebury the local geology means that the standing stones are very thin when viewed side on. Within easy access of the road they form an integral part of the Neolithic landscape. I really enjoyed the way the sheep were grazing in and around them. The ancient and the modern co-existing happily.

This is the entrance.

Of course where would a visit to Orkney be without a visit to the Ring of Brogdar if you are a megalith fan like me! This time we took a slightly different tack and went on the daily walk/talk held by the local ranger. There are several walks held during the summer and all are free with no need to pre-book. I can thoroughly recommend going on one if you're visiting.

Originally it was believed that the Ring had 60 standing stones but now only 27 remain. However, the latest thinking is that this wasn't the case. Instead the Ring was never completed- stones were added and taken away/fell down over time so it was always a work in progress. The site is a huge henge but incredibly it is as clean as a whistle. Unlike Stenness there is absolutely no signs of burning, inhumations or even animal bones left over from feasting not even pits dug by antiquarians. As the lady said it is as if it's been cleaned up deliberately. Of the remaining stones it's now been established that 13 of them come from individual sites around the islands but only one per location. Interesting only one side of each stone has been cut and this faces inwards- the natural side points to the direction from whence it came. This together with differences in how the ditch around the Ring has been dug has led to suggestions that different areas and stones may have been worked upon by different family groups.

This stone was shattered by lightning in June 1980 and gives an idea of how some of the others may have become broken.

I think one of the most fascinating things I came away with is how the story of the whole area is changing with the new discoveries every year on the summer dig at the Ness of Brodgar. Following a complete survey of the area it seems likely that there is another stone circle and possibly a burial mound beneath the water to one side of the Ring [it would have been dry land when the circle was constructed] and that there is a Neolithic wall running round all of it enclosing it. Following analysis of the cattle bones found at the Durrington dig in Wiltshire last winter it has now been established that they came from Orkney. This for me shows our ancient ancestors in a whole and magical new light.

Arilx

Orcadian Nights

We were incredibly lucky with the weather on our trip to Orkney. Arriving in bright sunshine we soon learnt that it was the best day they had had so far this year. By the sounds of it the winter weather had extended into June and it had rained for months on end. Being that far North the sun doesn't set until about 10.30 and although by and large the evenings were cloudy, Mr GBT did capture these beautiful shots one night when he took himself out for an evening perambulation.

Arilx

Ahoy there me hearties!

Yoohoo anybody there....yes I am back from my travels. As I am currently considering retraining as a laundress if the state of our linen basket is anything to go by please bear with me whilst I attempt to regain some order here at GBT. There are many photos to be sorted and many tales to be told but that will have to wait for now as I'm sure you all understand. In the meantime here is a touristy photo of the happy couple posing in front of the touristy sign just to prove "we was 'ere". I hasten to add that we have been in Orkney sans enfant who had no wish to go and "look at a load of old stones". My parents kindly kept an eye on him [he doesn't exactly need looking after as such these days] and he split his time between here and theirs. I am glad to see family and feline are now reunited under one roof once again.

Arilx