Showing posts with label Tumulus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tumulus. Show all posts
Saturday, 9 January 2021
Monday, 20 May 2019
.. stoned ag'in in Exmoor .. pt 2
Or there and back again
A circular(ish) walk starting at Halse Farm to Exmoor's other stone circle - located on the south and west facing flank of Withypool Hill.
The stone circle - contains low lying stones - one of which contains white crystals - I think I've read somewhere that this placement is unique amongst UK stone circles? (I would welcome a comment below if this is incorrect).
Then there is the matter of the black crystal .. one of the circle stones has been recently struck and the corner is splintered - placed within this break is a black crystal. Whatever modern "magick" the perpetrator of this willful act of vandalism performed, whatever outcomes or wishes they hoped for does not justify the breaking of a stone which was placed in the landscape by our Neolithic or Bronze Age forbears.
The selfishness of this single act of destruction - is akin to that of an illegal metal detectorist cutting holes in the turf of an ancient site in the hope of discovering a secret artefact of personal worth Or a brick casually thrown against the stained glass window of a Church Or a Gargoyle chiselled from the exterior of a Cathedral to adorn a private garden.
Putting this unhelpful distraction aside - we continued to the barrow and cairn on the summit of the hill before descending into Withypool itself. At the local shop we bought a couple of bottles each of Exmoor Ales: Exmoor Stag and Exmoor Gold.
From the bridge we watched a grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) collecting food and flying to and fro a presumed nest site. We listened in hope of hearing the flight calls of an approaching dipper (Cinclus cinclus) - on Exmoor a relatively common aquatic passerine which - no punning irony intended - we were to dip on the entire long weekend.
Our return route initially took us back along the Two Moors Way before turning uphill and NE passing Great Bradley - and on to the open moor of Winsford Hill. Following the road past Wambarrows and stopping for that all important summit photo!
Back at the campsite we raised a bottle or two of Exmoor's finest to celebrate the end of a successful weekend's exploration.
A circular(ish) walk starting at Halse Farm to Exmoor's other stone circle - located on the south and west facing flank of Withypool Hill.
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| barrow - Winsford Hill |
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| Higher Knaplock |
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| descending Watery Lane |
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| fording the R. Barle |
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| second breakfast (or lunch as it's known in these parts) |
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| New boots, Old boots |
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| circle stone containing crystals |
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| stone circle details |
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| within the circle |
The stone circle - contains low lying stones - one of which contains white crystals - I think I've read somewhere that this placement is unique amongst UK stone circles? (I would welcome a comment below if this is incorrect).
Then there is the matter of the black crystal .. one of the circle stones has been recently struck and the corner is splintered - placed within this break is a black crystal. Whatever modern "magick" the perpetrator of this willful act of vandalism performed, whatever outcomes or wishes they hoped for does not justify the breaking of a stone which was placed in the landscape by our Neolithic or Bronze Age forbears.
The selfishness of this single act of destruction - is akin to that of an illegal metal detectorist cutting holes in the turf of an ancient site in the hope of discovering a secret artefact of personal worth Or a brick casually thrown against the stained glass window of a Church Or a Gargoyle chiselled from the exterior of a Cathedral to adorn a private garden.
Putting this unhelpful distraction aside - we continued to the barrow and cairn on the summit of the hill before descending into Withypool itself. At the local shop we bought a couple of bottles each of Exmoor Ales: Exmoor Stag and Exmoor Gold.
 |
| R.Barle from the bridge at Withypool |
From the bridge we watched a grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) collecting food and flying to and fro a presumed nest site. We listened in hope of hearing the flight calls of an approaching dipper (Cinclus cinclus) - on Exmoor a relatively common aquatic passerine which - no punning irony intended - we were to dip on the entire long weekend.
Our return route initially took us back along the Two Moors Way before turning uphill and NE passing Great Bradley - and on to the open moor of Winsford Hill. Following the road past Wambarrows and stopping for that all important summit photo!
 |
| Wambarrows, Winsford Hill |
Back at the campsite we raised a bottle or two of Exmoor's finest to celebrate the end of a successful weekend's exploration.
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