Monday, June 23, 2003
Hi Gang:
I love to write, but sometimes it's hard to put a jumble of thoughts into words. So here goes nothing.
Byron and I drove all over the Lake District on Saturday. We logged about 250 - 300 miles. It was a wonderful day. If you ever get a chance to go there, do not hesitate. It is a beautiful area, even if it's raining cats and dogs. The light is indescribable. We drove up and down a few of the lakes, but the best part was when we decided to follow this paved goat track to a Roman-era fort in the middle of nowhere. It was up a road that was hardly what you would call a single lane. There were hikers and bicyclists all over and a fair number of cars. Everyone is polite about pulling over and letting each other pass. We are talking about an area that is a favorite of hikers and bicyclists from all over the world. Everywhere you look there are explorers. But the unique thing about this area is that the scenery is so breathtaking that you don't really notice the people all about you.We took a few wrong turns, but eventually found Hard Knot Roman Fort. Personally, if I had been a Roman stationed there I would never have left. True, it would have been quite chilly in the winter, but man what a view. Because of the location of this fort it is in great shape. Still a ruin, but not as many bits and pieces of it have wandered away through the ages. There are Sundews (Drosera rotundifolia) growing all over the ground. I was able to mark a few more flowers off my list for the year. By the end of the day we were back up at the north end of the Lakes. So we decided to save our money and drive home for the night. On Sunday we headed back to see a stone circle and a mining museum. The stone circle is unusual in that the National Trust has had the property since the 1890's, but no real excavation of the area has ever been done. Usually some sort of archeological survey has been undertaken at some point. The explanation for the circle is actually a landmark circle, or as one American I was talking to, "The politically correct" version for the Late Victorian Era. But quite a few of the stone line up with various peaks and outcroppings. A number of the stones are left unexplained and ignored, so anyone's guess is appropriate.
We then headed out to the Threlkel Mining Museum. It has a great exhibit with lots of examples of mining in the Lake District. The man and wife who run the shop and exhibit are very knowledgeable about the history of the area. Much slate was mined commercially around here. They had examples of slate from a great number of these sites. A great hands-on exhibit for kids to enjoy. There are tools and slate and examples of mining throughout the history of the area. I was really impressed. We spent five hours there. So the day over we headed home. Both quite content with the weekend. Especially, after fourteen days straight of work. Was a great way to unwind and recharge our enthusiasm.
Monday, was back to the rocks. There are specimens coming out, but the guys are mostly getting ready to move rock with poppers and heavy barring. I have more than enough to keep me busy. Sarah is going to go to a training course for the month of July, but Bill will be here to help me. Sarah returns in August.
I have to go to the quarry and into the garage, so off I go.
Cheers from the mining crew,
Jonina and Byron
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