Tree in a boulder

Goldsworthy Sheepfolds
Mountjoy Farm Folds, Underbarrow

After a wet morning, the afternoon turned out bright and sunny and, having just today taken possession of a new car, we decided to take it out for a drive and go in search of sheepfolds.

These two are near Kendal, close to the village of Underbarrow. It certainly took a bit of finding. We had a sketch map, some rubbish instructions and an OS map, but it still took a lot of walking and climbing and looking over walls before we eventually found the field where the sheepfolds are. These two folds are at corners of a large and extremely hilly field. This gives an idea of the kind of field it is. And this shows more clearly the first fold. The folds each contain a large (very large) boulder in which has been planted a mountain ash tree. Unfortunately in this fold, the tree is quite obviously dead.

The trees in the second double fold, which is the one I have blipped, are thriving. I would look large to see the fold better. I am not sure what the point of planting a tree in a boulder is, but I think he got the idea from one that is already growing from a rock on the hillside.

In order to get the boulders into place a machine had to be used. But when even that failed for this one, the boulder was pushed down the hill to land in the corner and then the fold was built around it.