Latest Fieldnotes

Got fed up after Xmas and decided to take a trip out to clear the cobwebs.
The day I decided to go (Dec 28th) it had snowed the night before, the weather reports were doing the usual scaremongering about ability to travel, so to prove em’ wrong I took the train. Great journey, no glitches, train to myself, got home safe. Got off the train in Matlock and hiked through the snow up to Stanton Moor. To say it was a perfect day would be an understatement. The sun shone beautifully through the trees, the snow lay undisturbed on the ground, and I saw more wildlife than at any time I’ve visited during the summer months. Best of all though...no one around. The Andle Stone stood with a cap of snow, looking not unlike an ice cream cone. anyway, I trekked across the field to the site, and rather foolishly decided to climb to the top as somebody had kindly left a pile of stones to reach the footholds. On reaching the top I quickly thought I’d mad a dumb mistake. The summit was covered in Ice and it was fairly treacherous trying to hold on. I spent five minutes clearing some of the snow to try and find the ‘cup and ring’ marks a friend told me of. Couldn’t find em’, only a lot of old (and not so old ) graffiti. The view was spectacular. Looking towards Birchover, the snow marks, and low winter sun revealed what looked to be the remains of a prehistoric field system , (though I’m no expert) overlooking the village of Birchover, and a multitude of ridge and furrow type features underlying the current field layout. The place was pure tranquillity (as the road from Stanton to Birchover had been closed). The day was perfect, though when it came to climbing down, I nearly broke my neck as I couldn’t see where to place my feet, and my hands were like ice from clearing snow. Once on the ground I took a path down towards a wooded copse where Doll Tor stood silent and alone. No one had come down here, and I had the place all to my lonesome.
The little circle was pure heaven. The snow muted all sound, and the dusting around the stones and nearby trees was pure picture postcard stuff.
A robin perched on a recumbent looking stone taking scraps of bread, and I couldn’t believe the sheer other worldly ness of the place. I came away understanding how these places were believed to be haunted by fairy folk, as the whole place had a ‘magical’ feel about it. Simply put, the place is fantastic.

A superb setting and very peaceful, but I didn’t feel a great deal here. I guess all the emmets, including myself, have drained the living daylights out of it.

I too crawled through the holed stone, three times against the sun, and my back pain returned with a vengeance. I’ve had it ever since. Don’t go expecting a cure, but if you’re after a level head, it’s a great place to get it.

Also, go on your own. It’s better.

I visited this site last summer, after ‘discovering’ it in the book ‘Ancient Stones of Dorset’ by Peter Knight. I decided not to make an entry here, as it didn’t seem right to ‘advertise’ this little known gem that is hidden away in the woods, from the passing droves of tourists on the adjacent road. Now I guess it makes no difference.
A friendly, homely feel coaxed me in from the road. The stones have been partly reclaimed by the forest, their roots distorting the circle and contourting the small (2-4ft high) stones. About half the circle remains, (ten stones). Despite the passing cars on the road (about ten feet away through a thin shield of trees) the main stone (to my feelings) nearest the road, has several holes and cracks into which coins have been left as offerings. A feeling of priveledge and true sanctity prevailed. Time seemed to stop and all my worries in the ‘outer world’ faded away. As eventually left, I felt that I really didn’t want to go! If you go there, and I know you have as much right as I do, please keep it low profile and respect this treasure with the revernece it deserves. Thanx.

we took smoke grenades to cairnholy 1, late one night in may 2000, for the opening scene of a shoestring film about the return of elvis from some other dimension.
as we came up the road through the forest, the vibe in the car suddenly changed, it all seemed a bit Blair Witch Project...when we cleared the forest, there was another car there.
it turned out not to be bloodthirsty masonic beer monsters, no, it was a bunch of hippies fae dundee, ken, makin’ a film...
we made ours...

My girlfriend and I visited our local pre-historic site last autumn after reading about it in The Modern Antiquarian. It was a great experience and felt as if we were entering a new world; according to my school, Britain’s history only began in ‘AD’ 43.
The tour of The Chestnuts was extremely interesting and informative – the dowsing rods provided by the owner certainly had minds of their own and were continually drawn to the same stone. We felt bad only paying 50p for admission to the woman’s back garden to see The Chestnuts although she assured that this was plenty to pay for her lawnmower’s petrol consumption. A minor point for the update of the tome: the lady living there told us that she is not suing the Department of Transport as that matter was resolved in the 1960s.
All in all, a truly eye-opening experience. 2 down, 298 to go.

Finally made it to the Three Brothers on New Years Day. We were staying up at my Fathers in Arnside over the holiday period, and instead of a long drive around the top of Morecambe Bay to Ulverston, we decided to drive round to Warton Crag and have another go at finding these elusive rocking stones. We had visited Warton Crag before around November 98 but had no luck in finding the stones. That visit had played on my mind for the next couple of years as I had not had any trouble with any other MA site. So of course we had done Long Meg, Swinside, etc on our Cumbrian jaunts, but these Three Brothers had eluded us. So we set out on New Years Day morning with serious intent. It’s a steep climb from the road up onto Warton Crag especially for my three year old daughter! However the path does level out and a gate on the right now has a map on it giving visitors directions to the stones! I’m not making excuses for our previous failed visit, but this does help. It’s pretty rough terrain as you drop down to the stones, but as Julian said they were so wonderful to find. We hung arond for a while walking around the stones in a quiet state of bliss. Even my Father, who is more of a hiker than a stonehead, was beaming with smiles and proceeded to race around with his camera taking photos from every possible angle. I think we may have coverted him. Brilliant visit, ” It’s a classic!”

This site is quite different to others I have visited in South Wales, and consists of a south facing cliff in a wooded valley. The cliff face bears an unusual sand coloured stone tear, or phallus shaped stone, standing proud of the darker stone of the rock face. A large granite slab immediately below the phallus/tear stone, is reminiscent of an altar, and a spring issues forth from the base of the cliff. Surrounding the stone are numerous carvings, mostly of faces, but with additional crosses and sickle shaped markings. I took a number of photos which show both the site and carvings well, but was amazed to find that on one photo, the prominent tear stone, had taken on the appearence of a hare sat upright as if shocked by our presence. Strange!

Directions: Although the site is located on private land it is easily accessed from the public footpath running along the north side of the valley. There were no signs to the site, or marking the footpath, but a green kissing gate on the right hand side of the road between Beddau and Castell is quite easily identifiable a few yards from a bungalow. From here a series of yellow arrows on trees easily guide the traveller to the stone face.æ

Family favorite... lost count of the number of times I have visited here, sneaking off from Bangor Uni or taking people here for picnics. I’ve even seen it from the air once, on a pleasure flight from Caernarfon air port. It’s a perfect circle. What can be said?

The high light on 18/01/01 was meeting two old guys from Porthmadoc, who were both pretty clued up on the place, (and other sites in Snowdonia).

There has been a good car park built since I was last here (used to park on the verge) and a proper footpath. The farmer must have got pissed off with Pagans walking across his land at midnight on the solstices.

I always come away from here with a reasurance of our survial as a race, that we are still here, and that the Ancient ones are just with us all along the way. And I’m glad that there are folk out there who lovingly tend sites like this, be they archaeologists or visionaries (or both).

Ah ha! We wonder if you managed to unlock the door to this one, Julian...from your entry in the Gazeteer, me thinketh perhaps not. Journeying from the Rhosneiger direction, along the A4080, from A5, just before the x-roads for Aberfraw/Rhosneiger, there is a little general stores on your left, Wayside Stores....ask for the key...(£5. deposit>>>)continue journey along coast, half mile or so, the site is preceeded by an ample car park, with the little bay on your right, walk along the well trod foot path, you will see the dome of the chamber ahead of you. Unlock iron gates...and enter.....
a dark womb of mysteries...lit well enough from the day light coming in, although, as we discovered to our delight, a torch can reveal more wonders...the “Giantess” (Gawres) with her pregnant belly holds up one end of the cap stone ( the belly is not apparent, run your hand gently down the back of the stone to find it.....) which stone? go see....there are faint spiral and chevron markings on about 5 stones, like drawings on a misted window pane, visable almost only to the minds eye, without a torch (luckily we had brought one with us. it was my 3rd visit to the chamber and I’d not seen them before, being too awestruck with the pregnant belly on previous visits) Sit for a while at the back of the chamber and watch the sea spray the rocks of the nearby beach and listen to the cry of the lapwings.

Ty Newydd a bit average, perhaps better had it been left to the elements. A fun scramble to sit on its cap stone and watch the clouds and rabbits...(well, ok, only Mort saw the rabbits...these Tylwydd Teg are so sharp)

Hey, by the way, I was at Barclodiad y Gawres on 12th March 1994, just missed bumping into you by less than a week.

You and your family are most welcome to come stay with us next time you visit Snowdonia. We live down near Porthmadoc and would love to show you some other sacred sites...

Casterton, albeit small and flimsy (Burl), is a lovely little site just above the Lune Valley close to Kirby Lonsdale. It is situated close to a dry stone wall near a clump of trees. The site is a beautiful vantage point to look out over the valley. The stones themselves are low and set into a rubble bank. This is a small circle but in my opinion worth a visit. The circle is pretty much overlooked by the tourists and can be a place for a quiet meditation – Robby Lowton 2001 CE.

I visited this site in early 99 and found it one of the most peaceful sites I’ve visited along with the hillfort is a neolithic camp and is sited on the Ridgeway.
I liked this place so much, in true Remington style, I bought a house that sits opposite with beautiful views of this enigmatic gargantuan.
So if ya passing drop me an e-mail and I’ll meet ya there
:-)

What a size!!!
Set in a secluded site, I see how Mr Cope had a great journey to get there, very difficult to see until your nearly on top of it. The view looking along the Llyn is impressive, and as I went there on a very cold but sunny day, managed to have some lunch there.
From looking at the OS map, there seems to be many other stones and chambers within a short distance of this site, which I hope to visit soon.
If there are any other gazeteers out there thinking of visiting, do go, its well worth it, the capstone itself is one of the largest pieces I’ve ever seen in this part of Britain, how they managed to get it up is one of the most unexplained mysteries to which we can still wonder about today.

LYNEHAM LONGBARROW – Visited 23/12/00

I have realised that my last report here was inaccurate...as we found the Hoar Stone in 1999, not 2000 as I originally said.
On this day (20/12/99) I tried in vain (with my good friend and fellow Modern Antiquarian, Rich Simpson) to locate Lyneham Longbarrow (as usual without the OS Map) by driving around the village...it became colder, darker and more icy so we gave up. However, a year later, armed with the right map and location we found it, helped by the large stone in front of it, which was easy to spot from the road as we drove past. A good spot to park is by the bridle path entrance a few yards along the main road to the north.
Spookily, the shutter on Rich’s camera jammed open whilst taking a picture, however, despite the light that must have been flooding in, he got a perfect photo...strange

HETTY PEGLER’S TUMP – Visited 26/8/00

After visiting the Longstone of Minchinhampton we continued driving around in circles in the Gloucestershire countryside until we came upon Hetty Pegler’s Tump. This was a really fine barrow that you could get right inside of, provided you weren’t put off by the enormous slugs that guarded the entrance, preventing the passage of the more squeamish amongst us.

(Visited 4/8/00)

After a long climb, we were above the man himself, but couldn’t see him anymore. We decided not to clamber down, as they are trying to prevent erosion on the hill.
However, its definitely worth continuing over the top of the hill, to explore the barrows and be rewarded for all your efforts by breathtaking views in all directions.

THE LONGSTONE OF MINCHINHAMPTON – Visited 26/8/00

My god...Minchinhampton is a bit of a maze. Once again we tried to locate this without an OS map, and the many and varied streets of the town and the common didn’t make using the road map very easy at all. However, as we passed the correct field we spotted the elusive stone, stopped, turned around and jumped over the fence to view this strange object. The type of rock was like many others we had seen, but the holes and shape added a uniqueness to the stone.
We took our photo, but alas, were not rewarded with a rainbow. We shall return at night, with Mike Reid, to see if it really does RUNAROUND the field!

REMPSTONE STONE CIRCLE, ISLE OF PURBECK – Visited 18/4/00

This is truly a magical place.
At the end of a long, wet day touring Dorset (Hambledon & Hod, The Cursus, Knowlton and Badbury), we drove through Purbeck along the B3351 from Corfe Castle to Studland. As the fog and gloom of late afternoon/early evening set in we walked through the woods, past what we took to be fallen stones from the original monument, to what was, in the opinion of myself and my companion, Pete, the best site of the day. That fact that it was sunken and broken up, made it all the more fragile and beautiful.

EGGARDUN – Visited 20/4/00

We arrived at the fort with it shrouded with fog. After dicing with death along the narrow road encircling it, we parked and headed up to the top. With the fog blocking the view all around, we contented ourselves with exploring the fort itself and located a strange octagonal feature shown on aerial photographs...a henge, an enclosure...who knows..?

THE DORSET CURSUS & ACKLING DYKE – Visited 18/4/00

A trip to Dorset gave us loads of time to tick a few more sites off from the book...if only the weather had been better.
Along with fellow enthusiast, Pete Barrett, we took upon ourselves to locate sites as never before this cold, wet, windy Tuesday. After climbing BOTH Hambledon and Hod, our next task was to locate the Dorset Cursus. Heading down Ackling Dyke from the B3081, we tried to decide at what point we were actually ‘on the cursus’ as it were. We managed to get our bearings via a few barrows, then found a very useful post on the edge of the adjacent ploughed field, with a map showing the cursus and marks in the next field going off to the south, which we reckoned might be there to show its course.
Photograph taken, with a token Pete peering menacingly from the bushes (a la the book), we headed back in the rain to the car. Unfortunately we couldn’t seem to locate the spot where Cope’s picture was taken....does anyone know?

MAUMBURY RING & MOUNT PLEASANT – Visited 17/4/00

Oh...that will be it we said, as a great green mound appeared in the streets of Dorchester. Has anyone else noticed that the Cope’s picture has been printed back to front in the book?

Moments later we were sitting atop the Conquer Barrow looking out to the lost Mount Pleasant henge, the dark rings in the wet soil the only visible sign of its existence.

JULIEBERRIES GRAVE – Visited 28/12/99

This was a bit tricky to find at first. We followed Copey’s directions, but alas, were foolishly without an OS Map. The trick is to head round to the right after going up the path behind the houses and through the opening out into a field where the barrow “appears” to the right.
The dog in the house immediately below the barrow was none too friendly!
Still we managed to get a shot like the book only with winter colouring instead..which was nice!

LITTLE KIT’S COTY – Visited 21/12/99 & 27/12/00

This is a great site, so close to where I was brought up and I never knew it was there!
After running the gauntlet by walking down the road to the Countless Stones, I crossed the weird dual carriageway (know what you mean Julian) and headed up the tree-lined path to the wonderful Kit’s Coty, taking in the excellent views across Kent .
By the time I returned a year later, on a walk of the area with my girlfriend (persuaded along by the promise of a double brandy in the nearest pub), the railings around the monument had been fixed, and at the Countless Stones someone had placed white stones around the fence that enclosed the monument, with what looked like runic letters on them.....
Walking through the nearby fields we saw lots of ‘historic’ rubbish – pottery, tiles, oyster shells and the like, but sadly that elusive handaxe still evades me!

I first heard of Callanish after someone lent me a copy of Jehovahkill. It came at a time in my life that was bland and empty. After a few weeks of increasing pondering I decided to go there and experience it myself. I lived in Bournemouth and decided to cycle there. (I know. eveyone says I’m mad!) But I wanted to get there without contributing to the mayhem on the roads and in the atmosphere. I guess you could call it a pilgrimage of sorts.
I went through Wales and up the west coast of Scotland, Isle of Arran, Skye and eventually Outer Hebrides. I took about four three weeks to get there, and over 1000 miles of peddling!
When I got to the stones of Callanish it was worth every push of those peddles! What an awesome sight, atmosphere and island. I ended up camping in Callanish II (though at the time I didn’t know it was called that, I stumbled upon it whilst looking for somewhere to camp). Overlooking Loch Roag the weather closed in, misty rain, it was July but it was cold!
It was so weird at Callanish I, a familiarity and calmness engulfed me, I didn’t want to leave! I’ve posted a full account of my journey on my website:
keirle.freeserve.co.uk

Avebury is a very special place to me and ever since I first visted it I try to come and stay twice a year. It is my place where I recharge my batteries. I think we should be thankful that Avebury is still so accessable. We must all ensure that this place is kept safe for ever and ever.

This area has such a wealth of places to visit all of them special in their own way. and all worth while visiting. Walk, breathe, energize, rejoice and enjoy..... Take nothing you see for granted (as I am sure you won’t)
Avebury has changed my life and I am grateful for that, I will continue to visit and bring friends for as long as I am able.. discovering somthing about Avebury that is new and wonderful every time I return.
Back in March....

EXCITING !!!!!!

WOW this really took my breath away!!!

This was the first trip to the Avebury area that I had Julians book with me and was determined to use it in order to find Devils Den.

Parking was a bit of a nightmare, and the road a bit on the dangerous side, however once the road has been crossed you are well on the way to something special.

My 65 year old Mum seemed as excited as me as we walked up the track toward the site.

Suddenly I could see it, just above the brambles, tall grass and various plants. I screamed with excitement and left mum behind trying to catch up.....

For a while I couldn’t see how I was going to get inside the field and almost began to think there was no way. However after a little bit of searching I found a small clearing and jumped over the fence.

Mum and I stood in awe of the fantastic site. (it reminded me of Kits Coty a bit, apart from the fact that this lucky site wasn’t behind bars.....)

The huge cap stone is balanced so precariously that you wonder if you touch it whether it will fall!! The atmosphere all around is kind of strange and there didn’t seem to be a sound of anything whatsover, just silence. The field surrounding this site was a strange copper colour which added to the ambience.

I took many photos and spent a long while hear taking in every detail. I was interested to see the hollows in the top of the dolmen Stone which Julian mentions in his book, talking about the water and the devil....... it was said that if you “poured water into the hollows of the roof-stone it would always be found drained to the last drop in the morning by some demon...”

Go visit and enjoy this site, I will return again in early March...