Wholistic Arts

Castro de San Cibrán de Lás, Ourense At the same time that Raye and Dave were looking at hill-forts in Bakewell , the Spanglish section of the team were up in the hills near Ourense, checking out a fantastic hill-fort of our own. This castro is on the brow of a hill (as always), but with a circular wall around it of immense proportion. Further up the hill is a smaller circle of an inner compound, and between the two are hundreds of round houses, like a honeycomb. As we walked on the top, I helped Malusa jump down off a large rock, and I noticed that the floor beneath her made a hollow echo. I stomped around a bit, and Loreto agreed that it sounded like the whole hill was hollow. Castromao We also visited a second hill-fort, which looks like a more compact version of the one mentioned above, on a steeper incline, although this one is in a worse state of repair. It looks as though some archaelogical work on it has been abandoned (maybe they ran out of funds), because a lot of it is ba...

Bakewell and Pilsbury Castles We set off with the intention of going to two places. The first a motte and bailey in Bakewell. At the tourist information and the "local" said there was no castle in Bakewell! When I explained it was a bailey and motte and showed a picture there was still a sign of disbelief..."well if it is there its not visible?" Anyway, we proceeded and walked up, yes, Castle Hill! Behind a bungalow was a small field and a gate. We felt, as often happens on these expeditions, that we were trespassing. It has been left and is more like a copse with trees and bushes,but nevertheless is still there. What a find. It made sense that this would be a good position for a castle. It was difficult to capture in a photo because in order to get a clear view by stepping back the bushes then hid it. So, the two photos are taken one at a distance and the other close (but too close to get the feel of the 'bowl' effect inside. A bit of history: Edward the ...