Squelching our way over to the 'lapidarium', Mac1 and I slithered the last step through the gated door. Inside was another surprise. Eleven stones of the 14th and 15th century, from what is called as the Loch Awe school. These carvers were almost specific to the Argyll area and produced work which was rougher and less defined than many other West Highland schools. these carvers also did not carve their inscription, so there can be no accreditation or differentiation between the artists. The stone used is believed to be local and is schistose in nature, having a greenish hue. Most of the stones had the usual assortment of knotted motifs and animal markings, though one is much later and clearly a marker for the grave a church minister. Then there is this one; believed to have been a part of a market cross and worn by the hitching of animals to it.
There was a surprising sense of peace in that little room of ancient presence.
There was an additional surprise. We located not one, but two geocaches up behind one of these stones!!! Not that we were actually looking for any - but one had clearly not been replaced very carefully from the last discovery and was visible to the naked eye; in attempting to replace it, Mac1 knocked the second one down - both had been placed behind the same stone!
We squelched our way back out of the graveyard, to Little Ren and back onto the road. We did make the stop at Jubilee Point - a favourite photographic stop. Mac1 made all the sounds of stripping off and going for a dip. The presence of others prevented this demonstration of masochism and instead, the tootsies got chilled.
Then it was back home for a quiet night in. Sunday morning we fitted in a pleasant walk around the neighbourhood. The weather had been really kind to us - if a tad chilly. I walked Mac1 down to the ferry after lunch and that was the end of a very fine visit. We packed a fair bit in to our 48 hours!
There was a surprising sense of peace in that little room of ancient presence.
There was an additional surprise. We located not one, but two geocaches up behind one of these stones!!! Not that we were actually looking for any - but one had clearly not been replaced very carefully from the last discovery and was visible to the naked eye; in attempting to replace it, Mac1 knocked the second one down - both had been placed behind the same stone!
We squelched our way back out of the graveyard, to Little Ren and back onto the road. We did make the stop at Jubilee Point - a favourite photographic stop. Mac1 made all the sounds of stripping off and going for a dip. The presence of others prevented this demonstration of masochism and instead, the tootsies got chilled.
Then it was back home for a quiet night in. Sunday morning we fitted in a pleasant walk around the neighbourhood. The weather had been really kind to us - if a tad chilly. I walked Mac1 down to the ferry after lunch and that was the end of a very fine visit. We packed a fair bit in to our 48 hours!
Yes, you found a lot to fit into 48 hours! When you stop and think how much time and effort it would take to carve those stones it is even more remarkable! Will you be geocaching in the USA?
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Hari OM
DeleteWell I am not the actual geocacher - that's the father and friend Aitch; but am always happy to tag along! The find here was purely coincidental... Yxx
Mac1 is lucky she didn't go in any deeper... the Loch Ness Monster COULD be there...
ReplyDeleteOMD you found TWO geocaches in the SAME location. THAT is amazing...
LOVE the HISTORY and seeing the carved Stones
Another great wee tour.
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever at finding (and describing) the interesting and non-obvious.
Cheers!
Gail.
you inspired me to TWO things with your post today! furst we will look for geocaches soon and second I will make some copies from old stone slabs with paper and coal pen :o)
ReplyDeleteI have never been geocaching! Might try it once this triathlon stuff is out of the way. Oh wait, it will be holiday time then. And once I am back it will be almost winter!
ReplyDelete