From passersby making rude gestures to a cute cat hanging out at some Roman ruins, Google Maps have captured all sorts of weird and wonderful sights while sending their camera cars out to create its Street View feature.
But how many times have you come across a 7ft tall dinosaur while checking out your old street or hometown?
This particular metal dinosaur statue is 12ft long, and it’s been featured on Google Maps since it was installed outside Miola, a homeware shop in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire in 2022.
Shop owner Louise Metcalfe dressed the dinosaur up for special occasions, including a Santa hat during Christmas, and poppy adornments to mark Remembrance Day.
But Louise is in the process of closing down Miola to wind down for her retirement – which meant her huge dinosaur needs a new home.
She was inundated with at least 20 requests to buy the dinosaur after listing the statue for sale on Facebook for £4,995.
And last week he was dropped off at his new home – and for now he’ll be kept in the front garden to be visible for Google Maps in the future too.
Matthew Riddell-Rovira spotted the dino for sale and immediately asked his parents for the huge dino as a 21st birthday present.
At first dad Dave Rovira planned to reject the ‘wild’ idea, but after some negotiations with Louise on price they’ve come to a deal.
Matthew, who turns 21 in December, has been a big fan of dinosaurs since childhood, making the artwork the perfect gift.
The dino is in pride of place on the family’s driveway, roaring hello to the neighbours.
Dave explained: ‘Matthew’s always loved dinosaurs and Jurassic Park and even though he’s not a young lad anymore he still loves it.
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‘He was over the moon when he saw it. He was just laughing his head off and he had a massive smile on his face.
‘Matthew had seen Miola was closing and messaged me at work to say “I have a special request” and I thought “no” at first.
‘I was shocked when I saw the price but then his mum said it could be a 21st birthday present.
‘Once our bid was accepted we moved to thinking where we were going to put it.
‘I thought it could go in the back garden, but Matthew’s thoughts have always been to put it in the front garden.
‘I love dinosaurs and it wouldn’t bother me but I have considered what the neighbours would think because you either like it or hate it.
‘I’m going to review what they think in a few months.’
Matthew has now named the dino statue Gus, after his late grandfather who died four years ago.
He said: ‘Everyone’s said I’m crazy but I’m really pleased with it.
‘When I saw it I thought “wow that’s a really big dinosaur”.
‘I thought it looked cool at the cafe so when I saw it was for sale I thought it would be really cool to have in the garden.
‘We’re going to have it in the front garden among the flowers because everyone will be able to see it as a lot of people walk down there.
‘It’s a bit of a wild idea but I’ll try to keep it under control.’
Louise was happy to sell the statue to the Riddell-Rovira family after negotiating a lower price, which she did not want to reveal, saying it’s ‘great’ that the statue is staying in the same village.
The artwork, made of recycled metal, had to be lifted from a van by four people into position on the family’s driveway where it was varnished and left to dry overnight.
Louise added: ‘As soon as we said it was for sale we got so many messages and we even had a few offers that we turned down.
‘We heard Matthew really wanted it and loved seeing it in the village so when they offered to buy it we thought it couldn’t go to a nicer home.
‘For it to still be in the village is great and it’s a work of art so it will hold its value as long as it’s looked after and it can be sold in future.’
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