I have begun my journey. My house is sold, and I am now visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Wellington, Ontario as I make preparations for my trip to Europe to research my book.
The experience is turning out to be even better than I expected with so many avenues to explore that I didn’t even realize were there. Many serendipitous things have happened along the way, but I will stay focused this morning on the plans for Europe and my research into the peaceful Neolithic people of Europe who left such a mystical legacy written in stone all over Europe. I am so excited about exploring it.
After spending a short time in the Maritimes visiting family and friends, I will fly into Duplin on June 19. Here, I will visit the Boyne Valley region just northwest of Dublin. I plan to spend a week near Newgrange taking tours and exploring the region on my own. The area is a UNESCO heritage site. Besides the main attraction, the huge quartz passage chamber that predates Stonehenge and the pyramids, there are thirty-five other tombs and archeological sites throughout the region. Although the main passage chamber is aligned with the rising winter solstice sun, there is a smaller one called Summer Solstice Townleyhall passage tomb located just north or the large tombs at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. www.knowth.com/townleyhall.htm It is more basic in design than its bigger neighbours and only a few of the original stones remain, but it is still possible to see the alignment if the weather permits. I plan to be at Townleyhall for sunrise on June 21st. I will take loads of pictures and post them on my blog.
Besides the Neolithic tombs of Newgrange, the Hill of Tara promises to be of great interest. It is one of Ireland’s best vestiges of Neolithic spiritualism.
I have also booked a two-week Goddess pilgrimage in Crete for the end of my journey but I will post that in tomorrow’s blog.
Ruth Welburn 