Solar System Henge

On paper, this was such a great idea.

Marking out a series of concentric elipses with big pebbles, to represent the orbits of the planets in the Solar System. We figured that we'd light a fire in the middle of Big Meadow, then people could walk round the 'orbits' to represent the different planets. We reckon this is just the sort of thing that the original Beaker Folk would have done, if they'd had any idea about the heliocentric model of the solar system.

And initially it went so well. Sure, "Mercury" would have got a bit singed, but Venus, Earth and Mars were at nice, comfortable distances. Even Jupiter, although its orbit went round behind the Doily Shed. So we had to give up measuring with the rope and set the distances by eye. That was even worse with Saturn, whose orbit meant that Gwladys had to keep jumping in an out of the brook.

Still, the good news for the three playing the roles of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto was that they were able to stroll in a very leisurely manner around the village. Especially Young Keith, who found that the White Hart was on his orbit. Though when we found him later he seemed to be suffering from a bad case of conjunction.

I can't honestly say there was much spiritual benefit in all this. Although many of the outer planets enjoyed the benefits of a walk in the fresh air. Not so Burton, of course, who was Mercury. He was last seen hyperventilating in the ditch by the driveway.