Flint

Houses in Pegwell Bay in Kent. Chalk cliffs are just down the road.

Living in London, the beaches we go to the most are the ones in Kent and Sussex. Flint is the prevalant pebble on these beaches. Flint is found wherever there is chalk-it forms layers between the chalk layers-don't ask me why-but do read this fascinating article if you are at all interested in flint! I found out many interesting facts from it. Here are a few snippets:-

"Lumpy, rounded and often bone like, they inspired Henry Moore"

"Flints can reach the size of a cat and may have a coat of white or brown."

(Like a cat!)

Colours range through

yellows and reds,

browns

and

whorls of pale grey"

"Jet black flint is the most pure

and white is only found in parts

of Lincolnshire."

I have a number of flints, as if that is any surprise! I like the ones with holes-they are meant to ward off evil I think and they hang on a string to make a good light switch handle. (Though they do not last forever-there is a broken one in the group photo!)

I googled pebbles with holes, and this is the first thing I found. Have a look-do you think they ever sell any? A pebble with a hole bought on a website would have little meaning to me! My Dad always finds these and has contributed to my collection. There is a little explanation of the folklore associated with these stones here-I like the idea that they are a gateway to a fairy kingdom! Tomorrow is peace rock day-for obvious reasons. Visit Graciel to read more rocky tales. She has beautiful pictures today of somewhere called Murder Creek.