On a gloriously golden September afternoon who could resist a walk by the lake?
The English Lake District attracts many thousands of visitors throughout the year. The energetic ones spend their time walking, climbing and sailing whilst others photograph or paint the magnificent scenery. The majority come to sit or stand and stare then take some light refreshment before the homeward journey.
We left the lakeside yesterday to visit the ancient stone circle at Castlerigg. It was built by Neolithic man around 4,500 years ago and sits on the brow of a hill with magnificent views in all directions.
Was this a place used for trading goods, for worshipping the gods, or was it used for Neolithic 'gatherings'? No one will ever know for sure.
Today it is looked after by the National Trust and we leave our lives of clutter to come and marvel at the ancient simplicity of the place.
With a soft wind whispering round the stones our own shadows merge with those of our ancient ancestors.
Below is an artist's impression of Neolithic man. The Lake District was a wild inhospitable place in those days and scratching a living from the stony soil would have been extremely difficult. How different this life would have been to ours.
I wonder what Neolithic man would think to our life of leisure and pleasure.
Enjoy your weekend