Uploads from parkerkrhoyt

Blood Stone

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:34 -0700

The large stone in the foreground is called the "blood stone" because it changes color to blood red when it gets wet. Myth has it that this is the blood of sacrifices performed at Stonehenge. Chemical analysis says that the stone actually consists of a mineral that turns red when it gets wet. It also used to be standing, like many of the other rocks.

Heelstone

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:33 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

From the viewpoint of standing in the center of Stonehenge, the Summer solstice sunrise will take place over this stone. Like so many other parts of Stonehenge, this rock has myths behind it as well. Namely that the devil through the rock at a friar who was going to reveal the secrets of how the stones got to the location.

Family at Stonehenge

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:32 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Stonehenge is just outside a town in the countryside called Salisbury. The town is about a 1:30 ride by train. A taxi or bus can take you the rest of the way. When we found out that it was so close, we thought it would make a fun day trip. After viewing Stonehenge we had lunch at a cafe in Salisbury, and then made our way back to London.

Paige at Stonehenge

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:31 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Stonehenge

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:31 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

You can no longer just walk up to the actual rocks that make up Stonehenge. There is a path that goes all the way around. There are lengthy myths and ideas about how the rocks came to be where they are located. While they look disjointed today, the actual construction thousands of years ago used complex woodworking techniques to secure the rocks.

St. George's Chapel

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:30 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Vast chapel on the Windsor Castle grounds.

Paige with Guard

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:29 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

This guard was near the chapel at Windsor Castle, where there were no ropes to keep you away. Paige rushed up for a quick photo opportunity.

Round Tower

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:28 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

One of the more imposing structures on the Windsor Castle grounds - and it was very much conceived and built for that purpose. It was actually made taller by thirty meters in the 1800's.

Round Tower Garden

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:28 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

The Round Tower stands overlooking a large moat. The moat had never been filled, but rather took the form of a vast garden and park area.

State Apartments

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:27 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Windsor Castle consists of several parts, called "wards". Visiting public are really only allowed access to a small part of the overall castle. That area is called the State Apartments, which are used for various purposes. The tour through the inside goes through about 25 rooms filled with enough ornate craftsmanship and historic art to put most museums to shame.

Purple Flowers

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:26 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Windsor Castle

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:26 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Windsor is about a one-hour train ride from London, and is the weekend home to the royal family. Windsor Castle is still very much alive and functioning. It even houses upwards of 150 staff. The British flag flies over Round Tower in the distance, which signifies that the royal family is not currently present. The royal crest flag flies when they are there.

Dragon Gift

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:25 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Coin Values

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:25 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

One of the many lives of the Tower of London was as a mint. While we take coin currency as a given today, that was not always the case. Determining fakes, keeping value consistent, reflecting the current ruling family, etc. Sir Isaac Newton (known for gravity), was actually head of the mint for many years, employing his mathematical prowess to solving the complex puzzle that is money.

Coins

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:24 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

Countless coins, printed to reflect just about everything you could imagine from year, to ruling family, to value.

Money Stamp

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:23 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

An enlarged example of one of the many stamps used in minting money.

Gun

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:23 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

The Tower of London served as the armory for many years, so there is a vast display of military artifacts. The evolution of armor and weapons was fascinating.

Tower Bridge from the Tower of London

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:22 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

If you have seen any of the recent Sherlock Holmes movies, then you have seen this bridge prominently featured. This view is from the White Tower in the center of the Tower of London.

Dragon Art

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:21 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

This artwork of a dragon is created entirely from various (replica) arms from the present and past.

Ornate Knights Armor

nobody@flickr.com (parkerkrhoyt) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 19:13:21 -0700

parkerkrhoyt posted a photo:

I can not imagine drawing something with this detail, not to mention working it into a metal suit using tools and techniques from several hundreds of years ago.