Robbie’s Inspiration – My rock collection – fossils

Posts about rocks seem to be popular in the Blogosphere at the moment. I’ve mentioned my rock collection to a few bloggers and they have expressed some interest so I thought I post a few pictures, starting with the fossils.

According to the Museum of Natural History in London, a fossil is physical evidence of a prehistoric plant or animal. This may be their preserved remains or other traces, such as marks they made in the ground while they were alive.

Fossilised remains – including fossil bones and teeth – are known as body fossils. Fossilised shells are also body fossils.

I took my boys to this impressive museum when they were little mites of 3 and 6 years old. When I tell people that my boys spent four hours touring this museum at these ages they are surprised. They ask me how I managed to keep them entertained and well behaved for all that time at a museum. This question puzzles me, because they were such good boys and never gave me a moments trouble. They liked rocks and dinosaur bones which is why we went there in the first place. Do you like rocks and dinosaur remains?

Here is a picture of Terence and Greg, aged 6, in front of a dinosaur skeleton at the Museum of Natural History in London in December 2009
  • Petrified wood
  • Ammonite fossil

Published by robbiesinspiration

Robbie and Michael Cheadle are co-authors of the Sir Chocolate series of books. We both like to write and bake.

93 thoughts on “Robbie’s Inspiration – My rock collection – fossils”

  6. This is neat! Love that you and your family are into rocks and fossils. My sister and I are as well. Each of us has quite a collection of rocks, crystals, fossils, and such. One of my cousins was a Geologist and worked for several major oil companies. He also wrote many college textbooks. He was delighted when he found out that we also found the topic attractive. Out of 31 first cousins, we were the only two who were on the same wave length as him!

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. I am delighted to know that, Gwen. I don’t know what all of my rocks are, to be honest. I have collected them over many years and wasn’t good, as a girl, at keeping the labels. I love how they look, so pretty.

      Like

      Reply

  9. Many children are fascinated by rocks and fossils. My aunt and I found many in the prairies around where we lived and had a great collection. We actually set up a display and charged the other kids to come and see them. I’m not surprised that your boys found the museums interesting. My grandsons loved them too.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Darlene, I am glad to hear that. Sometimes my younger colleagues surprise me. They wish their children’s young years away and can’t seem to control them. I loved my children when they were young, we did so many fun things together. My boys always behaved and I pushed Michael around London in a pushchair.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi Wayne, that sounds like a great career. I have toured the geology and anthropology departments at the University of the Witwatersrand her in Joburg. I don’t know what all my rocks are, but I will post them and others may recognise them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. These are awesome, Robbie! Our area is great for fossil hunting since we live near the ocean and mountains. I took a geology class once, went out on several fossil hunting field trips, and found a few fossilized shells and snails.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Pete, my dad is very interested in rocks and fossils so that is how my interest came about. I have toured the geology and anthropology departments at the University of the Witwatersrand here in Joburg. I also booked a birthday party for Gregory at a cave in the Sterkfontein caves suite and the boys could excavate for fossils. They had a great time.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. One of my friend’s daughters is an archaeologist. How glamorous is that? While a lot of her work is apparently not as exciting as it sounds, I know that she occasionally gets to go on actual digs.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Oh Robbie, I share your love for rocks, fossils and the deep recesses of the earth that holds their stories. Rocks and fossils connect me to ancient times and the mythologies that were formed centuries ago. They are the reminder that we belong to a wider narrative. I understand why your children enjoyed the museum – you gave them the gift of learning.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Tandy, I recently discovered a new blog hosted by a Celia and I believe it may have been through your blog. I will check if it is the same one. If not I will look for it. I am surprised that my younger colleagues are surprised at how my children were brought up. They started touring very young and Michael happily sat in his pushchair to be wheeled about. One of my fondest memories is his delight at the Crown Jewels in London. Both my boys love history.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  22. Hi Robbie, I love museums like that – and there’s endless fascination for children. I’m not surprised your boys loved it. I’ve always had a thing for rocks, minerals and dinosaurs, too. Toni x

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Toni, this sort of thing wasn’t big for kids when I was young. Fortunately, by the time I had my children, there was a huge amount of information aimed at children in this area of interest. I will be spending part of my Dec holiday organising my outdoor room into a library and display area for my various ‘hobbies’.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  25. Robbie, I remember a rock collection project, probably in grade school.

    Two other thoughts: I did not know that rock collections are trending right now. Also, how do you find time for rocks – ha! I see though this is from a while ago. My favorite? The Ammonite fossil.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  29. These are beautiful, Robbie. I’m glad you decided to share them.

    We took our daughter to museums. I think if parents are interested, children follow. She loves museums of all sorts. From what you’ve mentioned about your boys, they remain curious.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Dan, I’m so pleased you found this post because it was our conversation that initiated this post. I have some more interesting rocks to share over the next few weeks. I do think that parents set the tone. I was saddened by a recent work conversation when my younger colleagues literally wished away their children’s younger years. I wish I could have them back.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  31. Thanks for sharing your collection with us, Robbie. I love rocks and dinosaurs and things like that, and have quite a collection of rocks and minerals and the like myself. I shared my recent additions to my collection in my post about my early birthday trip to Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves And Dinosaur Park back in October, but will have to get photos of the rest and do a post to show off my collection. There’s someone I keep promising to do that for already anyhow, so maybe now I’ve said it to two people I’ll actually get it done. LOL!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  33. Great collection, Robbie, and I’m not surprised your children enjoyed the museum. I don’t recall ever truly collecting rocks and fossils (although I did like them), but I went to an annual exhibition they organise here, in Barcelona, and it was fascinating. I also talked to two Geology students who told me there are very few people studying it, and I think it’s a shame. Here, with the volcano’s eruption in La Palma, it seems to have become all the rage. It is a terrible tragedy for the people there, but it is incredibly beautiful as well. The Earth hides so many secrets! Have a great weekend, Robbie!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Olga, I am glad you enjoyed these fossils. I have many other rocks which I will share over the next few weeks. I agree that the Earth does hide secrets and it can wreak terrible damage on humanity too.

      Like

      Reply

  34. Ancient rocks and fossils, like old trees, are fascinating. So good to open children’s minds. I recall visits to Roman remains in Kent and a visit to the War Museum in London with two of our three lads, both of which they found most interesting. Good for you, Robbie! Cheers. x

    0sminds

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hi Joy, it is always lovely to see you. We have also visited the Roman museum in Kent and the Roman Bath in York. We went to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford but I’ve not been to the one in London. I’m glad you enjoyed these pictures.

      Like

      Reply
  38. Pingback: Gubbins | rfljenksy – Practicing Simplicity

Leave a comment