Dracula's Castle

I've been asked the Dracula questions recently, so I'll post a few pictures I took in January and I will write a few things about Dracula and his castle. :)

Bram Stoker used Bran Castle as his model for Dracula's Castle. This was featured in multiple film adaptations of Dracula, and has informally become known as Dracula's Castle.

The Count Dracula character was supposedly based in part on the real-life Vlad the Impaler. But Vlad's castle was the one at Poienari in Wallachia, not in Transylvania.

Sorry to disappoint you, but Dracula's Castle (in Stoker's novel) is not the real Dracula's Castle!

He he, I promise I will disappoint you even more in the next few days, as I'll write more...

So what on Earth's the big attraction?

Stonehenge has been voted Britain's most disappointing attraction. One said it is a dull "pile of rocks". Another complained about its position at the junction of two busy roads, as he said that the "road does seem to detract from the spectacle".

It's true, it desperately needs a really good visitor centre. And rerouting the road into a tunnel it's a great idea.

Trust me, despite the crowds and the waits, the busy roads and the poor visitor facilities, it's still magical!

I loved the way Bill Bryson (with whom I remain in love!) defended Stonehenge:

"Stonehenge is a classic example: you've seen it so many times before you actually see it that you have a very powerful image of what it's going to be like and because of that the likelihood is that you're going to be disappointed"

This is the world we live in: mysterious ancient constructions, busy roads, tourist crowds, lovely queues...

Do not allow small things to spoil the charm of big, wonderful things! Let there be magic!!!!!

Is It Just Me?

Can you spot a face carved into one of the stones or is it just me?

The Dancing Giants

When I was a child there was only one TV channel in Romania. We only had a few hours of programming a day. But on Saturdays there was "Teleenciclopedia", a documentary program I used to love watching (it's still on!). Among other documentaries on various subjects I saw one about Stonehenge. You might think I dreamed about actually going to see it. No, I didn't.

It was only years later that I started to think about the possibility of ever seeing it. And I saw it on Sunday. I am happy I remembered to say "Thank You", as I don't say it up-to-date enough...

I enjoyed Sunday, I actually saw one of the most famous ruins in the world. Somebody up there loves me!

Scientists believe they have finally discovered the answers to many of Stonehenge's mysteries, such as how, why, and by whom it was built... but I do love dreaming, so forget about the scientists: :)

The legend has it that one day the giants were dancing and circling around on the Salisbury plain. Suddenly they were caught in a beam of sunlight and transformed into stones. Their arms were around each other and that's why the megaliths we see today resemble the shape of giants holding hands.

"The Candle" of Dartmoor

A tiny church, lots of myths and legends, various versions of how the tiny church became to be built...

Once upon a time there was a settlement at the bottom of the tor. The pagan inhabitants worshiped the Devil. Becoming Christians, they decided to build a church. Legend has it that the church was originally to be built on safe ground, at the bottom of the Tor. But the Prince of Darkness was not too happy to be losing his followers. He waited until the church was finished and then he perched it precariously on the top of the tor. The people decided to leave it there and that they would endure the steep climb to the top. St. Michael beat off this devil spirit hurling rock after rock down upon him (version dated to the 12th century).

And my favourite version:

A wealthy merchant was caught in a storm off the coast of Devon. Apparently, at the time the devil was getting bored and he decided to create a terrible storm and wreck a ship or two :)) In return of his rescue the merchant promised to build a church on the first and highest land he saw. The ship was delivered safely to port. The first high land the merchant saw was Beacon tor otherwise known as Brent tor.

As promised the merchant began on building a church on the tor. The devil saw what was going on and every night he would go to the top of the tor and kick down any building work done thus far. This went on for many days. Finally, with St. Michael's help, the merchant completed the building and it is said that this church is the smallest on Dartmoor due to the fact that the merchant had wasted most of his fortune during the struggle with the devil and the church was built with what little money he had left.

According to this version the church is known to the moorfolk as 'The Candle' in memory of the beacon that once stood there.

I think 'The Candle' is a lovely name for this church :)

The Wishing Steps

Yesterday I turned 28. I remembered I made a wish while standing on these "Wishing Steps". It is supposed to come true.

Buckfastleigh is a small market town in Devon, on the edge of Dartmoor. The name Buckfastleigh contains half the letters of the alphabet, none of which are repeated ;) On the top of the hill above the town is the ruined Holy Trinity Church.

There are 196 steps up to the ruins of the 13th century church. Among these are the Wishing Steps. The stones of these two steps are laid in the opposite direction from the others and it is said a secret wish made standing here will come true!

I missed the two "Wishing Steps" on my way up to the ruins, but I found them on my way back. Better late than never!

I like to believe it means: "Don’t be scared at the delay, the time we wish is near"

As I have already said: They'll come true, IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO do...

Beer

Hehehe, I say Beer and I mean the historic fishing village of Beer on the East Devon coast :)

The red rocks of East Devon change and younger ( just 70 million years old) white chalk cliffs emerge around the pretty fishing village of Beer.
Beer was once a smugglers haven, as the steep cliffs created ideal hideouts ;) It was also created a second industry for the men of the area.

The Postbridge Clapper

It is said that the Dartmoor clappers are "prehistoric" or "ancient" :) Even though that's what we like to believe, probably the Postbridge Clapper dates back as early as the 1300s. In fact, all the existing clapper bridges date from medieval times (if the fact that many have been rebuilt several times after being demolished by flood waters is ignored).

It is probable that ancient man used handy granite slabs to bridge streams, but this does not make the existing clapper bridges ancient!

The Post Office made these bridges ancient! :)) In 1968 the Post Office issued a set of commemorative stamps. The stamps bore the image of a famous clapper bridge on Exmoor, beneath which it said "Prehistoric".