Interview with author Dianne Ebertt Beeaff

Late last year I reviewed the book Spirit Stones and it got me re-interested in all things Stonehenge-like. My last trip to Stonehenge was a bit of a non-event - we got there just after it closed for the day and took pictures from the roadside, as close as we could get. It was a bit of a touristy non-event, really, but I must say I now have a much better appreciation of the place and would love to go back one day. The author of Spirit Stones, Dianne Ebertt Beeaff, agreed to an interview so I could delve a little deeper - thanks Dianne!

The "big bunch of stones" all my readers know about is, of course, Stonehenge. Can you give us a quick summary of why it's an important site?

Stonehenge is important as the centerpiece of a vast complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments on England's Salisbury Plain. Its construction spans 1500 years through three distinct phases and in its role as an awe-inspiring symbol of the mystery, power and continuance of prehistoric architecture, Stonehenge helps to keep interest and appreciation of those ancient constructs alive.

Stonehenge at dusk

Can you suggest a short itinerary for a trip around Great Britain and Ireland that would cover a few of the key sites mentioned in "Spirit Stones"?

Focusing on some of the more prominent monuments, I would start with a visit to the icons of Stonehenge and Avebury in the south of England, journey north to the Lake District where there are several of the grandest and most ancient stone circles, hop over to the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for some real 'back-country' specimens and then finish off with the Boyne Valley monuments of Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange, in Ireland, which does, of course, make a stop in lively and agreeable Dublin almost mandatory.

And because I love dreaming of travel plans: where in the world would you like to go that you haven't been yet, and why?

A tough one; there are so many. Iceland has appealed to me for its other-worldliness and lack of crowds; a trans-Canada rail trip for the ease of travel and the outstanding scenery of my native country; and Australia/New Zealand, as an Australian friend who visited this summer left behind a photo book that fired my imagination with the variety, beauty and inspiration of a corner of the world I've never before ventured to.

Thanks again Dianne for taking part in the interview. I have to agree wholeheartedly with all of your travel dreams - I'm very intrigued by Iceland, a big train trip across Canada sounds perfect and obviously, my number one suggestion would be to get down here to Australia as soon as you can because it's an incredible place!