Shining Stones

The local name for the large expanse of karst up on the Moor. Castle Folds, which is in this picture, was/is a Romano-British defended stone settlement.
It's been a registered historic site for a long time, because it is really rather special. Most of these were simply settlements, but Castle Folds, scooped into a naturally higher knoll, was especially defensive. Ten foot thick walls, between twelve to fifteen foot high, and several stone roundhouses in the centre, with enough space for precious livestock. Most of that is ancient history now, as archaeologists believe it's impressive walls were specifically destroyed, rather than eroded or pilfered for later structures.

A significant part of the defence of the settlement was its truly remote location, and it's specific siting surrounded by vast swathes of limestone pavements in all directions. Its only safe approach would have been by the man made avenue of moorland to the South.

It's been a long time coming, but as off today MrsIttH is finally only working four days a week. We celebrated with a longer socially distanced walk... though we saw lots of people at a distance making the most of what was a spectacular weather day.