Earlier today, I was honoured to discover that Cee has picked me as one of her Featured Bloggers for the Fun Foto Challenge this week, following my post Alaska Orca from last time! Imagine my surprise and joy. Thanks, Cee! It even inspired Rich get off his sickbed (well, couch, actually… it’s just a little cold!) to post a contribution to this week’s challenge. I hope it’s worth it!
For whatever reason, people can’t seem to resist cutting huge designs into the hillsides of Southern England’s chalk downlands. There are human figures and military regimental badges…
Long Man of Wilmington (left) & Cerne Abbas Giant – dodgy scans of photos Rich took back in the 1990s with his point-and-shoot film camera
… But most abundant are the white horses…
Pewsey White Horse needs a little TLC
Hackpen White Horse is quite small
Cherhill White Horse in the dawn mist
Cherhill White Horse, together with the prehistoric earthwork called Oldbury Castle and the Lansdowne Monument
The majority of the horses date from the 1800s right up to the present day. And even the Long Man of Wilmington & Cerne Abbas Giant are now believed to be no older than the 16th Century.
Which means the most famous of the chalk figures, the Uffington White Horse, is also the most authentic. It was first cut by prehistoric peoples approximately 3000 years ago!
Uffington White Horse from a distance
Uffington White Horse, closer to
Looking along the Uffington White Horse, with the head just behind me
I’ve got my eye on you!
Uffington White Horse from the air (photo from southernoxfordshire.com)
I wonder if they’d consider doing a chalk carving of a Giraffeses? I’d be happy to sit for the artist!
This post is linked to Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge for this week, which is Ground, and also to the current Daily Post photo challenge, Works of Art.
If you enjoyed these incredible giant-sized carvings, why not sign up and follow my continuing Journeys here at Jaspa’s Journal, or through my website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
And if that’s not enough for you, there are now three Jaspa’s Journey novels to enjoy as ebooks! Perfect for Kids 8 – 80!
This is so fascinating, we got to see two of them when we went on a day trip to Stonehenge. Lovely photos really makes us want to go back to visit England!
Thanks, Monkeys! I hope you get back there one day.
Beautiful countryside and oh so wonderful for this week’s theme.
Glad you enjoyed it, Cee.
Those carvings are so cool! And very unique. I haven’t seen anything like this. Wonderful share for themes.
Thanks, Angela!
I never seen this before, really cool. Truly artistic!
Thanks very much!
Thank you. I’ve seen the Long Man of Wilmington, Cherhill and the one that will always be my favourite – Uffington. A lovely walk up to it too. Have you seen the Rising Sun Badge at Codford, originally created by Australian soldiers during WWI?
I haven’t seen the ANZAC Badge at Codford, but it looks cool. Thanks for introducing me to it. I’ll have to try and get there next time I’m in the UK.
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I have never seen these before… what a magnificent post! The last one is awesome!
Thanks, Amy!