Dry-stone walls pattern the pastures east of Scout Scar, giving the landscape a distinctive character. On a bright day the sun gleams on limestone and highlights sheep and Belted Galloways. The walls enclose livestock, keeping them safe. Although a few lambs escaped from Kendal Race course, venturing forth. Venturing too far. One died alone beneath a stone wall and lies saturated by September rains. Sometimes lambs jump up and strand themselves atop of walls. So farmers are constantly faced with wall repairs.
Which is your favourite dry-stone wall in the Lake District? One of mine is the switch-back wall that snakes over the ridge on Lingmoor Fell. Another crests the heather fell at Joppelty How. They're functional, well-crafted, stock-proof and delineate ownership. There are local styles and geology determines the look, and the species of lichen which colonise the stone. These walls seem to me to be works of art and I reckon the farmers who built them were aware they were creating something needful and beautiful.
When a section of wall is breached the farmer has to find time to build it up again. Often this is neglected and breaches in a wall are a familiar sight. There are no hedges up on Scout Scar because this is limestone country, stony ground with rafts of limestone clitter to hand.
When a section of wall is breached the farmer has to find time to build it up again. Often this is neglected and breaches in a wall are a familiar sight. There are no hedges up on Scout Scar because this is limestone country, stony ground with rafts of limestone clitter to hand.
I dislike sculptures being imposed on the countryside. Many walk this way seeking peace and solitude, a sense of wild. Leave no trace, that's the countryside code.
But look at this gravity-defying arch spanning the breach of a limestone-wall! It's witty and skillful. The style is Romanesque, I reckon. I marvel at cathedral architecture. How do those soaring arches hold? Who conceived this sculpture and how did they do it? If the mason left his mark it's discrete and hidden. There's a wedge-shaped keystone at the apex of the arch, locking it in place, giving it strength. The arch is unique in this place and long may it be so. Few could create such a sculpture, so hard to emulate. It should serve to protect that breach in the wall, unless next spring a lost sheep takes a jump through the arch. The stones in the arch came from the existing wall so sustainably sourced material, in the jargon of our times. The stone arch spans a breach in the out-take wall, forming a window onto Scout Scar.
But look at this gravity-defying arch spanning the breach of a limestone-wall! It's witty and skillful. The style is Romanesque, I reckon. I marvel at cathedral architecture. How do those soaring arches hold? Who conceived this sculpture and how did they do it? If the mason left his mark it's discrete and hidden. There's a wedge-shaped keystone at the apex of the arch, locking it in place, giving it strength. The arch is unique in this place and long may it be so. Few could create such a sculpture, so hard to emulate. It should serve to protect that breach in the wall, unless next spring a lost sheep takes a jump through the arch. The stones in the arch came from the existing wall so sustainably sourced material, in the jargon of our times. The stone arch spans a breach in the out-take wall, forming a window onto Scout Scar.
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