Three weeks before the Full Circle workshop, Stuart and I had headed north to Cumbria on our ‘recce’ trip. Stuart had been ill for a couple of weeks and shouldn’t really have been going anywhere. But you can’t run a workshop without knowing the ground, so to speak, and we had a lot of work to do.
We got an early start and were in Cumbria by lunchtime, exploring the sites. By the time we finished our first day’s reconnoitering, and headed out towards our hotel for the night, we had been obliged to drop one of the major sites of the workshop, as the path to it was unsafe and a variety of other clues had made us rethink what we were planning.
That is one reason why these recce trips are so necessary. Plus, you never quite know what the land itself might suggest…and next day it was to give us two more sites that we had barely considered.
Our hotel lay between Penrith and Keswick, so we were heading west as the sun began to set. Knowing that the circle was just a few minutes drive beyond our destination, we decided to try to reach Castlerigg in time for the sunset.
We made it just in time, as the sky turned to soft flame, and for once I wished I had a better camera. Even so, it was more important just to be there and I would not have wanted to waste the moment fiddling with controls and settings.
We watched the sun as it sank behind the hills, noting that they resembled a reclining profile. Then, after it had disappeared behind the hill, there was one final flash as the sun peeped through a notch in the hills, lighting up the ‘eye’ of the figure.
We need no convincing that these ancient circles were designed to be part of the landscape and skyscape around them… but to see the winter sun set in the eye of the mountain? That was simply amazing.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
The photographs are beautiful, Sue. You do have some wonderful experiences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are incredibly lucky sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was, Barb. Utterly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I visited Castlerigg in 1976 and have never forgotten it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an incredible site, isn’t it? Ringed as it is with mountains.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember a long walk on a very hot August day but peace and beauty when we reached the ring.
LikeLike
It feels that way any time of year.
LikeLike
Just spectacular Sue! Wishing you the best for 2019. Hope your year is filled with good health, happiness and peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Fransi… and I wish that and more for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful shots. They seem worth the trip even in themselves.
LikeLike
That one brief moment was just perfect.
Happy new year, Trent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy new year 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think I’ll get a decent night’s sleep until I make the journey. ❤
LikeLike
I can imagine ❤
Happy new year, Alethea xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year to you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Not Tomatoes.
LikeLike
Thank you xx
LikeLike
Right place, right time, right photos. 😀
LikeLike
You could say so 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, absolutely amazing!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Loleta Abi.
LikeLike
Pingback: The eye of the sun – Where Genres Collide
That was perfection AND you got the picture!
LikeLike