Some Random Rocks

Here are a couple of interesting rock simulacra that I have encountered. The first is a pebble that I found in my garden back in May 2012. The pebble immediately stood out to me as it was a good likeness of a classic “Gray” extra-terrestrial, with the typical large eyes and small mouth and nose. As good a simulacrum as it seemed to me, it was unfortunately deemed “not striking enough” for Fortean Times' “Simulacra Corner”, but has featured on Andrew May's Forteana Blog.

The second rock is described as a “Cocke (or Cock) Rock” and it is plain to see why it is so named. This particular rock was photographed in the Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft this year. As the caption accompanying the rock says “This phallic shaped flint has been used as a fertility aid in the donor's family for several generations. As late as the 1920s women wishing to conceive would place the stone under their pillow on the night of the full moon. They would be “with child” within nine months.” Whether the Cocke Rock actually worked it is hard to say, but given the rock's shape, it certainly would not have been easy to sleep with it under your pillow.

Pictures, Wiltshire (May 2012) and Cornwall (August 2013).

If you find this post interesting please share it using the buttons below.

Mrs J's Nessie Encounter

In October 2011 Mrs J and I hired a boat and took a trip along the Caledonian Canal in Scotland. During our trip we spent a day moored up in Fort Augustus prior to crossing Loch Ness. Fort Augustus lies at the South West end of Loch Ness and is home to a former Abbey (a Benedictine Monastery) that sits on the Loch’s edge.

While walking along the Loch’s edge in the shadow of the former Abbey Mrs J was alert enough to spot Nessie lurking in the trees. It seems that some artistic person had taken the time to "decorate" a natural kink in a tree to make it resemble the famous serpentine resident of Loch Ness (Nessie). Slightly hidden in plain sight, this simulacra of Nessie is no-doubt passed by many tourists each year, but I suspect very few actually notice it.

This picture of Nessie has previously featured in Andrew May’s Forteana Blog, and on the Loch Ness Mystery Blog.

Pictures, Fort Augustus (October 2011).

Peak District Rock Art

The below three simulacra were captured by my colleague, David "DB" Byrne, during a visit to the Peak District in 2011. I submitted these pictures to Fortean Times on David's behalf for consideration for "Simulacra Corner" in July 2011, but they are yet to feature. Here is hoping that one or more of them will grace Fortean Times' pages one day.

Simulacra 1, a face in profile, looking to the right.

Simulacra 2, a face looking roughtly towards the camera (facing slightly to the right of the frame).

Simulacra 3, a sheep sideways on, facing the left hand side of the frame.

Pictures, David "DB" Byrne, Peak District (2011).

Kilve Smoking Simulacra

On a visit to Kilve beach in Somerset Mrs J spotted the below simulacra. Foliage growing from a disused chimney seems to have naturally developed into the shape of a small cloud of smoke drifting from the top of the chimney. The chimney in question is part of an old and disused oil retort house.

It was discovered in 1916 that the shale beds of Kilve beach and the north Somerset coast were rich in oil and the Shaline Company was formed in 1924 to take advantage of the discovery. This brick-built oil retort house is believed to be the first building to be erected for the conversion of shale to oil. Sadly however, the enterprise never really got off the ground, as the process was found to be too costly to make it profitable. It does seem however, that extracting oil from shale is coming back in to vogue, as easier to access oil reserves begin to dwindle. However, I doubt this oil retort house will ever see real smoke again!

This Simulacra has also featured on Andrew May’s Forteana Blog.

Picture, Somerset (April 2011)

A Face Like a Camel's Arse

Mrs J spotted this simulacra while we were perusing the exhibits in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Not only has this poor camel been stuffed, but it has had its posterior arranged into a vaguely comic face!

I sent this simulacra into Fortean Times for Simulacra Corner, alas I was told that it was “not striking enough for use”.

Picture, Edinburgh (October 2011).