The Great Circle, North East Circle & Avenues

A real survivor, big and bold, but like an old war horse, badly scarred and needing nurture. Despite being such a big complex – three circles! – it didn’t get me going. It felt broken and somehow bereft. My state of mind perhaps? The stones are massive, impressive with highly worked flat surfaces, and as big as the monsters at Avebury. Impressively rose-coloured with peppermint lichen, the sun cast great dark shadows and allowed the spring green of the grass to sing. I made a sketch but came away feeling sad. Up at the Cove, by the church, conveniently situated in the garden of the Druid’s Arms, a monumental stone of the weirdest shape defies gravity and bends over to the left. I leave feeling sad.