Latest Fieldnotes

Visited 19th April 2003: I confess this was my first visit to Gors Fawr, and it lived up to my expectations. It was really sunny, and visibility was good, so the Preseli range appeared formidable and central to the focus of the site.

The outlying stones to the north of the circle stand between it and the mountains. Beyond them (obscured by trees, gorse and buildings) are the Rhos Fach stones, which could once have been visible from the circle. Off in other directions are numerous standing stones, orientated towards the mountains. The probability that the people who erected those standing stones would have known, and possibly worshipped at Gors Fawr amazes me. The circle is a megalithic cathedral surrounded by little chapels (and gorse).

We eventually wandered over to the outlying stones, which are relatively large compared to the stones in the circle. All the gorse in the area has been grazed into topiary by the sheep (I assume) so the immediate landscape has a bit of a manicured feel to it. William seemed to like it though. When we got back to the car we found that Alfie had lost a sock (he’d been in the backpack) so I had to retrace our steps on my own. It was good to be out there without William tearing about. The place was that bit more tranquil.

Incidentally I found the missing sock, but if anyone finds a little woollen hat near Bedd Arthur please let me know.

This is a nice spot and is enhanced by the walk over the moor with all of it’s features and megalithic oddities. Stu reassures me that the site looks a lot better now that it’s had a good coat of looking at.
The setting amongst the birch trees and with the new turf give the site a park – like quality.
I liked the tree with all the bobbles and ribbons on it. It gives a focus to folk who feel the urge to leave their hair care products at this ancient site, although I think a used bobble is pretty crappy gift to leave. At least they’re not strewn all over the stones.

“Love comes pouring out”
The Crystals

Sums it up for me
Nuff said?

When I saw this stone from the road I just had to smile, it’s gorgeous!
It’s a beautiful proto temple and fits right in with the other megalithic wonders of this part of the Peak.
A climb to the top is worthwhile, there are two oversized cups with channels. I think they’re what those blokes on the antiques shows diplomatically describe as “being made in the style of”

Hahaha me and my mate Dan... we reckon that some one has nicked it from a cartoon... it’s a perfect round hill with sheep on it HAHAHA!

Standing Stone approximately 1.2m in height, the Devils Causeway (Roman Road) passes close by.

Visited 19th April 2003: Louise chose this site as a minor detour on our way to Gors Fawr. The first thing we saw was one of the two modern standing stones on the common. We parked up near these and my initial reaction was to check the Landranger in case we’d entirely screwed up. Having established that one of the modern stones is marked on the map as a monument, we set out to find the real thing.

The Rhos Fach Standing Stones aren’t on the common land, but to the north of it, hiding behind a huge forest of gorse. You can get good views of them from the common land, with Carn Meini behind them. We were extremely lucky with the weather, and the whole setting was beautiful (if a bit windy). I’d definitely recommend a visit to anyone visiting Gors Fawr.

The name Rhos Fach means little moor or little heath.

Visited 18th April 2003: I spotted this stone on the Landranger, and persuaded Lou that we should detour to visit it on our way back from Fishguard (aka Abergwaun).

The first thing we saw as we approached was a small stone, slightly further south than the place I’d expected to find the Ffynnon Druidion stone. On closer inspection it turned out to be a recently erected stone, with lots of tell tail signs that it had been recumbent not that long ago. Subsequent investigation confirmed my suspicion that it isn’t prehistoric. I’ve christened it the Ffynnon Druidion JCB Stone.

The real Ffynnon Druidion stone stands in the next field along from it’s fake neighbour. It’s rather tall (maybe 7ft) with a slight zigzag shape to it, and covered in lichen. At it’s base it tapers and there are lots of exposed packing stones around it. I found it rather impressive, and having just visited it’s in neighbour, it felt comfortingly old.

[visited 19/5/3] – This is another delightful sight with what I’ve just found to be Robin Hood’s Stride very close by (ooh thats a very interesting rock outcrop). The stones definately look like the sorry remains of a circle & reminded me quite strongly of Bathampton Down. Very easy to reach from the road & lots in the area, well worth a visit as you’ll probably get this to yourself like me!

[visited 19/5/3] – Following an abortive first visit at night earlier this year (I was considering whether to tresspass when a dog licked my hand & I was so freaked I gave up :), I arrived here with the rain just starting. Luckily it was only a twenty minute shower and gave me a chance to eat some lunch.

So the skies temporarily cleared and I quickfooted it to the henge. In one word, wow. I loved the visual effects the makers had created, not being able to see the stones from outside the henge & aiming straight at the meeting of the two hills in the distance. I was lucky enough to have the sight to myself and if I hadn’t been on a fairly strict timer I’d have stayed much longer. As it was more rain & more sites to see drove me back to the car.

And so onto the incident which prompted the unwritten actual fieldnotes to start ‘Still shaking & ouch’. Whilst at the henge the kindly farmer had put cows, sheep & lambs in the field between the henge & the farm. I’m not sure but I think cows like to protect lambs in the same field & I am definately sure that a cow trotting into me is gonna hurt more than the electric fence I gripped two handed after leaping over the nearby stone wall. Watch the cows, keep watching the COWS!!!

[visited 19/5/3] – What a lovely site. Ignoring the rape of the landscape from the mines, the views are tremendous & the ambiance just right. I parked at the start of the Five Wells farm track & walked the 10 minutes across the fields, setting myself up nicely for the landscape to open up in front of me as I reached the summit. When you are at the site, stand on the mound and rotate 360 degrees, warmed the cockles of my heart that sight!

I was still buzzing from Arbor Low when me and Stubob hit this site.
Stu sorted out the access and we were away.
It can’t be a coincidence that this site and it’s beautiful grove of Beeches can be seen from all over the area.
This is an awsome place, full of wonder and dignity.
I gotta big-up stubob for letting me in on this lovely spot.

A return visit – this time with Si and Ursula.

For me this site is really under-represented! Looking at the first circle of the White Moss pair, we all commented on the fact that we’d not really heard much mention of the place and couldn’t understand why. This circle in particular is in really good condition, considering it’s location, and taken into consideration with the other four circles. The only reason I can think of for why more people haven’t visited is it’s remote location, but it’s not that difficult to get to. We took a more direct approach this time, venturing over Hard Knott pass and, despite difficult driving conditions, decided it’s a much quicker route than the one we had taken previously (the coastal route) and offers some spectacular scenery (and a Roman fort).

Burn Moor exudes a real magic. For me the best spot is within the first of the two Low Longrigg circles. From here the view down to White Moss and Brat’s Hill is very clear, and quite overwhelming. I’ve yet to see these sites in sunny conditions, and I must admit, these overcast doomy skies do kind of add to the place, but next time I will definitely try to visit on a cloudless summer’s day, just to see how much this affects the sites.

I’d go as far as saying it’s pretty perfect up here, and would urge anyone with an interest in the stones, who can, to pay a visit because it really is a very special place. The walk from Boot is steep, but well worth the effort. Fantastic.

Still smiling we walked over to Gib Hill.
This place..........The henge, the circle, the cove, the avenue, the half-a-henge, it’s just too much for an unsophisticated lad like me.....
I’m still smiling!

Well wierd.
Did they just give up?

A double first for me. Not only was this the first time I’d been to Arbor Low but this was also my first Derbyshire circle. What a way to start.
I just smiled and smiled.

Visited 18th April 2003: We parked in the yard in front of Longhouse Farm, and followed the footpath north east to Carreg Samson. There’s a concrete track most of the way, but it’s a bit muddy from the cattle. I reckon an adventurous wheelchair user could get very close to the site with a little bit of help.

The cattle own Carreg Samson, or that’s how it looked as we approached. Luckily they were just inquisitive bullocks, using the chamber as a sun shade and scratching post. They took a shine to William, and we got close up to them under the capstone. It was all very friendly. The fact that cows can fit under the capstone gives an indication of the size of the chamber. It’s whopping, and I had no trouble standing at the northern end to admire the lumps of quartz in the rock. What an amazing site. It must be second only to Pentre Ifan amongst the burial chambers of south west Wales.

As well as the cows we met a very friendly and extremely posh couple who had come to visit the chamber. If I recall correctly, her mother lived at the farm as a little girl. Sadly no folklore was forthcoming, but the gent entertained William with some simple magic tricks. Just goes to show, you can meet people at Carreg Samson.

Visited 17th April 2003: I might be able to shed some light on why Chris couldn’t get close up to the tomb. There’s a sign on the gate with an unfriendly message on it (I can’t remember the exact wording) plus a barbed wire fence and an electric fence in the field where the chamber lies. The farmhouse is relatively close by, so you get the distinct impression you’re being watched.

None of this was too much of a deterrent to me until I realised that the field was full of crops I decided to go no further (aggravated trespass is a crime, and I’m a good boy at heart) and took some photos from the edge of the field. It’s a shame that access to the site is so poor.

According to G.E. Daniel (in The Prehistoric Chamber Tombs of England and Wales) this site is of the ‘earthfast’ type, but this is contested by others because the level of the ground where the capstone rests may not be original. Apparently the tomb not oriented towards the sea, but towards Milford Haven Sound (not that I could really tell from the distance I was viewing from).

The walk to the circle from Robin Hood’s Stride is beautiful. You see the stones in a field up ahead, you see the farmer between you and the stones, the farmer smiles and waves you on.. you’re there... Stone groove.
Lovely stones in a beautiful setting. Each stone is fiercely individual. The stone with all the deep depressions on the outer face is my foxy favourite,
the stone in the wall looks too shy to join in.

This beautiful outcrop is the most dramatic of the area’s proto temples.
The first circle builders must have been awe struck by this landscape.
Walk up to it from the B5056 along the limestone way breathe it all in, and then look across the fields to 9 Stones Close...breathtaking!

This beautiful stone greets you as you walk up onto Stanton Moor from the south.
It’s a fun sphinx

I arrived at the school at playtime and it was mental.
I Mooched over to the office/staffroom to get permission to visit the stones. All the teachers were in the staff room drinking tea, they were very nice but I found the whole experience rather unsettling...the staffroom ...erghhhhhh bad memories.
I also had in the back of my mind the recent case of a council wanting to ban photography in and around schools. Fortunately this school is very welcoming to strangers and shows no signs of PC police holding sway here.
Of course this doesn’t mean that you should just wander into the place without first getting permission.
The carvings are lovely. They were locked behind a fence when I was there but I was still able to get a good view , although it would have been nice to touch them. The sun was fairly high so the shadow wasn’t too great but you could still appreciate the beautiful designs.
The children have created their own monument next to the carvings which is lovely.
The round house is coming on well too.

This is the megalithic section of the Ure Swale Landscape, this bit was built by folk from the moors, ‘stone people’ as their contribution the sacred landscape...
“we’ll ‘ave nun o’ yer fangled swaimish henges,
Tell ye what tho’ I can get thee some reet lovely geet big stanes.
Did thee see that job I did at Rudston?”

For me these rude fellas are a gatepost to the North Yorks moors. They stand beside the ‘Great North Road’ and beside the two main routes onto the moorland plateau.

I think I may have cup-mark fever, is it me or..........

No rampant badgers today, But the new housing developments seem to be gradually stalking the site!

Visited 26th April 2003: Dad looked after William while I explored Devil’s Dyke. I wasn’t alone. There were hoards of kids on bikes at one end, playing some sort of game that was leading to tears. Being off duty, I did the responsible thing and walked the other way.

The sun was doing well getting through the trees, and the bluebells were out, so it was all rather pleasant. The dyke is really quite deep in places, tapering off at each end. Getting from one side to the other is tricky, and because the sides are steep and eroded by generations of bike riding kids. Not a good place to visit for anyone who’s not sure footed, but an excellent place to take kids (Dad assures me he took us here, but I don’t remember it). The best parking for Devil’s Dyke is on Ceaser’s Road.

The Slad is on private property, and not visible from he road as much more than a line of trees. The southern end of the Slad peters out into a long curving pond, which you can just about get to from he road.

What a place! The road leading up to the track is a normal seaside town suburban road. Bungalows and terraced houses with clipped front lawns and twitching net curtains. All very nice and Stepford.

The track leads up past some allotments, and then the fun starts.

Most of us carry a plastic bag to put rubbish in when we visit sites. I think this place would need a fleet of dumper trucks. In a walk of less than 500 yards, I saw 2 mattresses, an armchair, 3 large gas canisters and countless bags of assorted household refuse. I seriously thought I’d strayed onto the council tip at one point, and if it weren’t for the GPS telling me I was getting close, I’d have given up.

Very very sad. I’d planned to continue on to look at Thunder Barrow, but was so depressed by what I’d seen when I reached the stone, I turned back to the car.