Milestone in St. Edmondsbury

Explorer Tom St Edmondsbury Gate Lodge claims smugglers used to hide crates of illegal jam behind the gate post. Who else would need that much preserved fruit? It sounds like total nonsense to me, but I’ll believe it when I see the sticky evidence. Keep your eyes peeled for jam stains on the stones.

Explorer Tom Barn in St. Edmondsbury has a dovecote on the side, which means it once housed birds and cows simultaneously. It looks abandoned, so if you hear a pigeon judging your life choices, that’s probably why.

Explorer Tom Gates in St. Edmondsbury have a New Year's resolution to stop rusting, but they clearly haven’t told the weather about their new goal yet. They’re part of an old agricultural complex that’s looking more and more like a hidden treasure in this suburban sprawl. I bet the farmer who put them there is still checking them every morning.

Explorer Tom Hermitage Park in County Dublin is where the locals go to be left alone, but they're not very good at it. No records? I bet there's a hermit who actually enjoys the company. Say hi!

Explorer Tom Ginkgo in County Dublin is an absolute fossil, older than your grandma’s dentures and twice as opinionated. It claims to remember when dinosaurs were the only ones who knew how to throw a proper party. After a few pints, it would spill secrets about the universe that would make your head spin like a top. Visit, then text me what you think. I'll pretend to read it.

Explorer Tom Giant Sequoia in County Dublin would win any county fair easily just by standing there and looking like it ate an entire forest for breakfast. It’s the kind of big that makes your car look like a toy in a toy shop. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Griffeen Valley Walk in County Dublin has strict rules that say you must whisper because the trees are very shy and get embarrassed easily if you shout too much. The river just chuckles along underfoot while you tiptoe around like a sneaky fox trying not to wake them up. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom The Church in Clonsilla had a poet fall in the ditch nearby who wrote a sonnet about his muddy socks. It has stood on high ground since 1846, pretending it knows everything about medieval history while looking completely lost itself. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next spot.

Explorer Tom St. Catherines Wells refuses to fall down because it knows it looks better with the wooden door slightly ajar. Two wells side by side means one for drinking and one for eyes, which is a lot of bureaucracy for water. Snap one photo, then put the phone away and actually look.