When is a tree a rock?

I was beginning to worry I was running out of things to see and do in Sardinia as it is a small island and I have been here for nearly 3 weeks! But today was a cracker. It started off with a self walking tour of the old town - the Centro Storico. Unfortunately, I parked my car in a free spot at the bottom of the hill, so it was hundreds of stairs to the top, but totally worth it. Castles, cathedrals, and some sensational views. A long walk back down again, then a thorough look around Castelsardo, which is a bit touristy but kind of nice. I am glad to be staying in Lu Bagnu. It was then I decided to go exploring in the country side and my first stop (or course) was ELEPHANT ROCK, a rust coloured trachyte rock which rolled down the hill and was shaped by atmospheric agents to look like a pachyderm. It stands about 4m high and there are supposed to be 2 tombs in the rock that date from 3000BC. I then visited the Signora Di Tergu, a 12th-century Romanesque church. Built out of wine-red trachyte and white limestone, it sits in a garden alongside the few visible remains of a monastery that once housed up to 100 Benedictine monks. It was very dark and quite eerie inside. It is said that this church was responsible for a stack of miracles and the interior walls used to have crutches etc all over them but they have been removed.

From there I took a 60km detour to find the answer to my question: When is a tree a rock? Well, this would have to be the most underwhelming (as you can see from the car park pic) but weirdly interesting part of the day. These were trees that turned to stone 20 million years ago. A volcano caused the forest to sink into a lake which filled with ash rich in silicon which created the perfect substrate for fossilisation. Amazing!! Then it was onto another church (of St Pietro del Crocefisso). I found this church interesting as right outside the front door was a bar!!. Finally on the way home I called into a Cantina famous for its 100% Vermentino grown on sandy soils by an award winning young female winemaker - so of course I purchased a couple of bottles!! All up was a great day of exploration.