It seems hardly possible that it is almost a year since Stuart and I headed west and north on a research trip that took us, over the course of nine days, through Cheshire to Wales, up the west coast through Lancashire and Cumbria to Scotland then down the east coast, through Northumberland to Yorkshire. Nine days that took me weeks to write about for the blog, so much had we seen and discovered… nine days that formed the backbone of But ‘n Ben, the first book of Lands of Exile… and added thousands more photographs to the folders on my PC.
The picture above was one of those taken before a snowy dawn at Sandbach, where these crosses have watched the seasons turn for over a thousand years… except when they were broken and hidden during the darker periods of their history.
The sacred sites we have seen… and written about… this year have spanned millennia. As we approach the solstice and the turning of the year towards the light, I cannot help but wonder what the coming year will bring and what mysteries lie waiting in the landscape for us to discover our future in the ancient past.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Great post Sue, and a brilliant Haiku 🙂
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Thank you.These old stones have so much to say. 🙂
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You’re welcome Sue 🙂 I imagine you could write a few books on the tales they could tell 🙂
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We already have 🙂
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We saw some of these crosses in Ireland too. Not as large, but equally mysterious.
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We’ve spent much of the past two years trying to decipher some of their stories. These ones are exceptional.
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Another year flies by… It hardly seems like it has been a year already!
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I know… Crazy 🙂
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Fascinating photo. I am so in awe of the history you have practically at your doorstep.
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Literally on the doorstep here, with Roman remains, prehistoric settlements and a French château within a few yards of home 🙂
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Beautifully said and photographed. Appreciate the mystery and wonder you share through your pictures and words.
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Thank you Leonide. I love this land so much 🙂
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What a fascinating trip that must have been!
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They always are 🙂
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Pingback: Mysteries | Love, Laughter, and Life
🙂
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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Thanks you x
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You have so much fun adventuring!! Amazing stories, Sue. Wishing you great fun on your adventures in 2016!! 🙂
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We have a list that will keep us occupied a lifetime, Patrick… we just need time and funds, that’s ‘all’.
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It’s going to be exciting! I can feel the vibrations. 💗
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I certainly hope so, Colleen 🙂
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If we believe, it will happen, Sue. ❤
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Indeed, intent is everything 🙂
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I ashamed to admit, I envy your travels!☺️
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I feel incredibly lucky to have these monthly trips north.
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Lovely Haiku and picture, Sue.—- Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne.
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The sandbach cross is stunning and so unexpected in the middle of that town
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The crosses are superb…we had made the trip specifically to see them and, getting there before dawn on a snowy, January morning, were lucky enough to have them to ourselves for a while.
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where does your interest stop? do you know about tailor’s cross in foulridge?
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I know of it… though I haven’t seen it yet. It is also called the Maiden’s Cross, I think?
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maybe. they moved it anyway
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Really?
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