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The Longest Weekend

Friday 20th June 2003
Visited Trethevy Quoit with a group of 8 people on a guided walk. I apoligise to the two sun worshipers enjoying the blistering heat, hope my talk was interesting. As always with a group of people you get into discussions about why it was there? how was it built, is it on a ley line?.....
My own theory is that the capstone had possibly collapsed even before the earth was removed from around the quoit. I do not see that there is any way it would have balanced on just the east wall and the fallen stone.
We left the lycra clad duo to think over the rambling of eight curious walkers and headed towards the bright lights of Darite.

Saturday 21st June
Up for the sunrise at Rillaton Barrow (see fieldnotes) a group of us then walked towards the Pipers leaving the few at the Hurlers in peace. (If the Hurlers were built to witnness the solstice then why are they tucked away on the wrong side of the hill?) We then headed for Craddock Circle, still clear of bracken and then onto explore the remains of bronze age villages dotted around the area. After a coffee break in a round house we descended towards Siblyback to find the Stone row (new area of the moor to me). By now the sun had risen over Stowes Hill and even at 6.15 in the morning it felt like the middle of the day.
As we headed back towards Minions we walked up the embanked causeway with its mini barrows lining the route before once again arriving at the Hurlers where some people trailed off to have a quiet moment.
We headed back to the carpark, did an interview with Radio Cornwall and went for breakfast....it was still only 7.15.

Monday 23rd June
It's my 40th birthday! as a treat I am heading off towards Brown Willy for the day. I plan to visit King Arthur's Hall on the way and perhaps return by way of Stannon ... who knows, will be in touch.

Rillaton Barrow — Fieldnotes

23.06.03ce
Slightly overshadowed by the numbers at Stonehenge, there was still quite a gathering on Bodmin Moor early saturday morning. About 30 people gathered to watch the sunrise and then walk over to Craddock circle whilst approx 40 bikers from the Plymouth area also joined us on the barrow. Add to this those camping out and you have numbers approaching 100.
The sun rose right on time over the northern edge of Dartmoor before dissapearing into the cloud cover, the mist sitting in the Tamar valley making for a wonderful vista. The bikers departed to visit a friends grave, we headed off towards the Hurlers and Craddock Moor.

King Arthur's Hall — Fieldnotes

24.06.03ce
I have been wanting to get out here for years....So, seeing it is my 40th birthday and I felt like doing something special I decided to walk up Brown Willy taking in King Arthurs Hall, Garrow Tor, Loudon Hill and Middle Moor Cross.
Loaded up with lots of goodies I set out from Casehill (I have never had a problem parking there), first stop KAH. What a site, the sun was shining like it only does in Cornwall and in the middle of the hall the reeds were all topped with cottony blossom. Overhead Skylarks kept up what would be the soundtrack to the day and everything was perfect.
Must geta picture I thought........got camera out focused everything with Roughtor standing proud in the background......click......something don't sound right.....the shutter has not closed.
Well it wasn't going to spoil my day but I am afraid i will have no photos of my birthday walk to share with you.
I had a great day, didnt make Loudon or Middle moor but I can reccomend using the Garrow route to climb Brown Willy. It took me 2 hrs each way...but I do stop and look at things.

Emblance Downs — Fieldnotes

25.06.03ce
Maybe it was the sun beating down on my bald patch but I thought I counted 9 stones with 2 still standing proud. Did not realise till I got home that there was another circle to the south east, another reason to go again.

Garrow Tor settlements — Fieldnotes

25.06.03ce
The footpath from King Arthurs Hall takes you beside this settlement. Lots of huts that are each devided in two by a grass covered ridge. Did not explore far up hillside, only into two or three huts.
Standing on Butter Tor looking back you can make out early field patterns on the hill side to the right of Garrow farm House.

Brown Willy Cairns — Fieldnotes

25.06.03ce
I have reached the top of Cornwall, this is my second time up here, the first being in thick mist about 16 yrs ago. What a difference 16 years makes! The views are fantastic, Morwenstow to the north, Rame Head to the south, Dartmoor to the east and looking in to the wind most of Cornwall to the west. I wonder how many TMA sites can be seen from here?
There are two barrows up here though I would guess the one on the summit is modern in its construction (though many of the stones possibly belong to an older structure) The southern one though looks to be original with a shallow depression in the centre.
My plan to walk back via Loudon Hill has been cancelled as the track from Fernacre looks barren and windswept, I shall return via Butter Tor.
But before that I have a birthday lunch to eat.....with the best view one could ask for.....the wine list please waiter....waiter?

Craddock Moor Stone Row — Fieldnotes

25.06.03ce
The row lies accross the bottom of a natural bowl below the Craddock Stone Circle. Iain, our guide on Saturday morning, found it easy after we had visited the settlement below Golddiggins Quarry. This is a new area of the moor to me and there is lots to discover! Much discussion was had as to what various mounds, stones, dips might have been. Hopefully I will have some photos to post soon.

Craddock Moor Embanked Avenue — Fieldnotes

25.06.03ce
Again, pointed out to me by Iain, this embankment is in line with the stone circle and Brown Gelly. It may also line up with the Hurlers and Caradon Hill but neither are visible(except for the TV mast). The trackway passes between small barrows for approx 25 yardsup the hill. There are also two barrows on the hill above and to the right, covered in vegitation.

Kerris — Fieldnotes

01.07.03ce
Kerris Inscribed Stone

Whilst in Penzance for Golowan (who needs Glastonbury?) I had to visit some friends out at Kerris. First time I had been to the house so imagine my surprise when they told me they had a "stone" in their fireplace.
The house has been renovated over the last few years from a very ruinous state. Whilst making the old fireplace safe they discovered letters on a granite upright. Calling in Craig Weatherhill, who then called others they found out they had a 6th century inscribed stone. It is in a form of Latin and spells out something to do with Kerris. I promise to find out more....
Although not inscribed, the stones in the fireplace at the other end of the cottage are huge! If as they have been told there was possibly a circle in the area before Borlase came then perhaps this is what happened to the stones. The biggest one that makes the right hand side wall of the fireplace is approx 4 ft deep by 6 ft high! whilst the lintel is a good 7 ft long.

Craddock Moor Stone Row — Images

01.07.03ce
<b>Craddock Moor Stone Row</b>Posted by Mr Hamhead

Rillaton Barrow — Images

01.07.03ce
<b>Rillaton Barrow</b>Posted by Mr Hamhead<b>Rillaton Barrow</b>Posted by Mr Hamhead

Kerris — Images

07.01.04ce
<b>Kerris</b>Posted by Mr Hamhead<b>Kerris</b>Posted by Mr Hamhead
Mr Hamhead Posted by Mr Hamhead
23rd June 2003ce
Edited 23rd June 2003ce


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