Ancient stones

A totally different day from yesterday. Yesterday was grey and damp; today was clear and bright. We even got sunshine. 

We set out early for Lakeland - breakfast and a bit of shopping. Then we returned through the Lakes - what a joy to be able to do this with so few people about. We parked in Grasmere and Gordon set off walking, whilst I leisurely browsed Barney's Jigsaw Shop and then the lovely bookshop close by. 

I bought a few jigsaws and chatted to the lady about how they coped with the pandemic. Imagine the situation when their online sales went from 30 a week to 800 a week . . . suddenly! Imagine moving all the jigsaws from upstairs to downstairs, where they are now. 

I also bought a book in the bookshop - Cumbria's Prehistoric Monuments. This is such a well-written and well-laid out book and is comprehensive, mentioning many places I did not know about. Some exploration ahead! 

I felt we could not but call in and see Castlerigg Stone Circle,, a prehistoric monument we know well, hoping that this might be that rare thing - the place without any other person. Well, it was almost that. It doesn't matter how many times one visits, (although I haven't been for a few years, probably when we took Blipper NannaK when they were staying with us), it is always magical - especially if one can be there alone, not easy. 

The aura of the place, the breathtaking situation . . . and those ancient stones!