IronMan

Lovely walk up to the Twelve Apostles. Plenty of mud and puddles, path repairs on the way up meant we had to take several boggy diversions, then when the circle was reached the land immediately was drier and more forgiving. The darkness descended while we were up at the circle. I took a few snaps, and stayed long enough to get a feel for the atmosphere of the place. The circle is very fragile, some of the stones sit on the surface of the soggy moorland, propped up by smaller stones. They must get blown over by the wind and propped back up all the time.
The walk back was interesting, my torch wouldn’t work, so we found our way down with the little remaining light and using our feet to feel the way.

We arrived at the farm car park, after just reading Julian’s note about the barking dogs. Sure enough stood waiting in the car park, unchained, was one of these dogs! We sat in the car for a while, the dog strolled over and plonked itself outside my door, then just stared. Images of savaged ankles ran through my paranoid brain. Eventually my mate braved it and got out of the car, to which the dog rolled over – it only wanted to be petted! So much for the barking guard dogs! Next the dog proceeded to lead us round the site – first the henge and circle, waiting on the burial mound as we took it all in, then ran over the field to Gib Hill, again waiting while we took it in. Once we were done it was off into a nearby field and just ran round and round as we drove off. And it didn’t even expect any payment.
My advice for future visitors: Take some dog biscuits!

O yeah, and the site is amazing!

Sunkenkirk is tucked away on a dirt track off a quiet country lane. The surrounding landscape gives the circle a protected, private feel. The nearest, small hill – Knott Hill – dominates the view to the SE. To the North & West the craggy ridge of Swinside Fell cuts across the skyline. On a clear day (?!) the distant lakeland mountains peer over the low lying fells to the North East. This circle feels quite wild. The location, out of the way of the Lakeland tourist trail, the lack of signage (I think there’s only one signpost) and the fact you have to walk to it, albeit not so far, mean there’s a good chance of being left alone here.

Lacra A. Well this is all we could find here today. Or should I say this was all we could be bothered finding. It rained like I’ve not seen in a long time. It’s probably just the weather but I find this site depressing. On a good day the view out to sea, and of Black Combe would make this short walk worthwhile, but not on a day like this.
Lacra D is just a bit further on, after Lacra A – according to Burl this is ‘questionable’, and I’d go along with that!!
Lacra B is by all acounts the one to see, I’ve seen some shots and it probably is worth the visit. On a sunny day. A VERY sunny day. Mmmm summer...

Black Combe. People just seem to like saying the name of this hill. It’s domination of the coastal landscape round here is incredible.
It can be seen from very far away – on a clear day, along the coast of Lancashire it’s distinctive shape heralds the start of the Lakeland high ground. From atop the surrounding mountain landscape also, Black Combe is easily made out, part of the last high ground before the Irish Sea. Coniston Old Man has a particularly good view out to Black Combe, and from here you can appreciate how the surrounding landscape fits together.

Black Combe is a very special place.

A huge site, that gives you some idea (scale wise) of what might have been at Avebury. I visited alone, had a good couple of hours to myself, then watched the sunset from the smaller circle.

Pagan Hill nearby gives it’s name to one of the country lanes. What an address!

A Class-A site if ever there was one! Enjoy getting dirty !) as you climb into the hole. A real warmth can be felt inside. Standing on the top, looking down the top of the mound is wonderful, but difficult to convey with just a photograph. LOVE this site.

20/01/02 – Wonderful day. The elements were in full force – muddy, rainy, windy, cold. We slipped and slided our way round the circle, as far as we were permitted, then warmed up in the Red Lion. Strange things happened with my camera today...