Keeping regular

''Oak before the Ash, we're in for a splash, Ash before the Oak, we're in for a soak'' is what they say, well, something like that, but you get the gist. If they're right then it should be a good summer, as the Oak has surely won this year. We'll have to see though. There would have been a period when these countrys' folklore sayings, for the most part, held true. Although, with the effects of climate change increasingly felt, for how much longer these rhymes reflect reality must be speculation. I remember when I was a kid (puts on rose tinted glasses, mmm tinty) there did appear a regularity, which may have sometimes had its irregularities, but on the whole ran as we'd always been led to believe it had. You know, defined seasons, flying ants and stag beetles, spring flowers and the devils' berry, for everything a time and a place. Increasingly though, that place has been developed or destroyed and now that time could be, broadly, any time.  Still, we'll see.

Cockoo!

I heard my first Cockoo (Cuculus canorus) this afternoon whilst walking in Verditch Wood, hark, the herald of Spring does sing. I've never seen a Cockoo, yeah, I hear them every year, but have never been able to spot one, no matter how hard I look. Still, I'm not grumbling, just to hear them is a treat. And, not todays' only treat. Along with the birdsong was the waking wildlife, rabbits hopped into cover as we approached, squirrels scampered up trunks and out on to the most ridiculous of boughs and deer tried to stand motionless as we passed, although they couldn't hold their bottle and were off into the green. Plants are also all getting their thing on. Amongst the bluebells the white fragrant blooms of Ramsons can be spotted, and smelt, I collected some flower tops, along with a bag of nettles to add to tonights' dinner.  Always a bonus to collect some wild food whilst out walking. The trees too are all coming out now. It wont be long before the canopy closes over encapsulating the woodland and the views through the stands are truncated, adding another of mystery and wonder to your walk. I'll never spot a Cockoo then!

Loving Spring

You've got to be loving Spring!

Buckland Rings

Not all hillforts are sited high on prominent hills, others just take advantage of the natural lay of the land or less imposing rise, although hillforts are rare in lowland areas. Buckland Rings is one such rare example of a lowland hillfort, though far from as you'd imagine by it's location on a gentle rise up from the Lymington River, Buckland is a large and imposing feature. The site features triple rampart and ditch defences (3 ramparts and 2 ditches) laid out in a rectangular plan, the highest inner rampart is about 2.5m high, with the middle rampart being lower and broader.  Much of the eastern side of the hillforts ramparts and ditches have been ploughed out completely, whereas the remaining ramparts, which remain in good condition, are tree covered creating great wildlife habitats. Excavations in the early part of the 20th century revealed little, more recent geophysical investigations also revealed little and still a fuller picture of the site and its time-line eludes archaeologists. Buckland is a great site to visit and explore.

Bluebell woods

A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,
Each one its own sweet feeling breathes
With more or less of power.
There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell
That fills my softened heart with bliss
That words could never tell.

(from 'The Bluebell' by Anne Bronte)

Gad under-cliff

Here's a few images which aren't of the Gad under-cliffe landscape, but of some of the things found there, both natural and man made.  

No shit, Sherlock! I saw three of these signs in a various states of decay, this was the best preserved of them, a testament to the truth of their message.

The only piece of ordinance I saw today.

A couple of the numerous Ammonite fossils to be seen amongst the under-cliff rocks. Well, it is the Jurassic Coast after all.  These were about 40cm or so in diameter.

By Gads!

By Gads! The cliffs, that is. The stretch of coast under Gad cliffs is always off limits to the public because, I think, it's part of the Lulworth range overshoot  and probably hard to clear of any potentially dangerous ordinance, another reason maybe is that the land is steep, rugged, susceptible to landslides and has no discernible paths and so would represent difficult access anyway. Whatever, it's land less trodden, for sure. Until last year, in all my years of regular walking the Jurassic Coast, I'd never walked there, looked longingly from afar, but never walked there. I made a second foray into forbidden walking today, and managed to walk and scramble the entire length of the under-cliff. And it was marvellous. I imagine being out along this piece of coast during a storm would be a terrifying as it would dangerous, the rocky foreshore of jagged boulders is treacherous and the under-cliff unwelcoming so say the least, and that wouldn't be so marvellous. Though with the sun shining and a gentle sea lapping the rocks it's blissful. It's a real escape from the the more familiar, more human landscapes we find ourselves in; no matter how wild we think the places we walk are, more often than not they're the result of years of human activity and exploitation, and would have looked quite different in their 'natural' state. This piece of earth hasn't been altered by human activity (to my knowledge) With no tracks (beyond deer tracks), and what with the terrain being so rugged, you get a real sense of being in wilderness. I don't think the smile left my face throughout the walk, so many groovy things to see, so many different unfamiliar views of a familiar landscape. Not a long walk, although a taxing one, and one on which you have to keep your wits about you, wilderness is dangerous.

The Fraud @ Chaplins & The Cellar Bar 21.4.2016

The Fraud are a local three piece (although I'm sure there were four in the clips I saw online) and were playing a bandstand evening along The cool grey 4 and Isle of Wight rockers Badow. I came upon The Fraud through a recent friendface post, one of the few good aspects of social media, I had a look at a couple of their youtube posts and thought, yeah. Chaplins was going to be their first gig, and I thought I'd take a gander.

Well, I wasn't disappointed, on the contrary. You'd never have guessed that this was The Frauds first live performance, they exuded confidence and competence from the first note, playing a nice tight set which gave the impression they'd being playing together for years. The Fraud play a blues/rock type ting and do so with enthusiasm and a huge does of professionalism. The lead guitar, who noodled and slid very nicely indeed, looked nervously around the room, as if expecting to be dragged off at any moment, I don't know why, as with all the bands members he was very proficient in his art. The bass player, who looked like a scruffy James May (from Top Gear) laid down some nice bass lines, as well as pulling some great faces as he connected with his other band members and the crowd. Humour, man, you've got love humour. The drummer was powerful, man, beating the crap out of his kit, and that's not a criticism, his drumming really driving the tracks along. Nice! With three bands on the list, the Fraud only had the opportunity for a shortish set, but it certainly gave you a flavour and left you wanting more, I for one would have enjoyed a longer set. All in all a great performance from a group of talented and proficient young performers, and if this is what they can do from the get go, then, man, they've certainly got potential...lots of potential, and are well worth looking out for.  I'm looking forward to catching them again.

A little note about the venue. I'm often heard to lament the lack of small venues in the area, and I have to be honest, I'd overlooked Chaplins for years, to my detriment.  Chaplins and the Cellar Bar is a great little venue, nicely laid, populated (at least on this evening) by nice types and friendly staff. My oversight noted, I'll be keeping an eye out for events here.

Ear, git orf moi lan!

Ear, git orf moi lan! Bolstered by the majority Tory government, the badger cull and the possibility of an end to the hunting ban, farmers are employing even more extreme measures to keep you 'off their land'. Only kidding (or am I?). You frequently see Apaches flying about the north New Forest and Cranborne Chase, but never before have I seen one up so close. The pilot was flying close to the contours of the land, appearing up over tree lines and hillsides, before disappearing again.  Periodically the Apache would stop, practicing hovering and manoeuvring I suppose, one such stop and hover just happened to be right in front of us.  I've always been fascinated by helicopters, they're like giant metallic insects, and this one certainly could give you a nasty nip.

Serenity Vol. 4

Well, that's the last of my Christmas graphics read, I didn't do too badly at all, all have been great reads. I'd saved Serenity vol. 4 for last, I wanted to build up the anticipation and excitement of new stories about characters I love, from the Firefly universe of boundless possibilities, so cruelly stolen from us from those bastards at Fox. Bastards!!! Man, my wait was worthwhile and I wasn't disappointed. The story in 'Leaves on the wind' takes place shortly after the events depicted in the film 'Serenity', Mal and what remains of the crew are in hiding, after they revealed the Alliances activities on Miranda. Sought by elements of the Alliance and Brown coat activists alike, the crew look to take on an search of their own, as well as a new family member.  A great story in which we see the continuing adventures of old friends, as well as the return of old enemies, and the plot around Rivers' 'treatment' at the hands of the Alliance thicken.  It's easy to hear the voices of Fireflys' characters in the well crafted dialogue by Zack Whedon, care and attention have been taken to ensure continuity, and the threads of the story move at a good place.  In fact, you read to the end far too soon. There's some beautiful art too by Georges Jeanty. The panels are beautifully coloured and the characters beautifully depicted and compliment the story nicely, but it's the covers which are of really fine quality. Each issue has a top quality character cover, plus there's a covers gallery of all the variant covers at the back too. If you love Firefly, you'll love this read.

I for one, am looking forward to Vol.5. 

Installation.

Cycling along the top of the sea wall between Keyhaven and Lymington I could see something in the distance which I couldn't make out, something new.  The sea wall route to Lymington is a favourite of mine for two reasons. Firstly, the salterns behind it are always teeming with birds of all types and I've had the opportunity to see some great sights, like birds sweeping up fish and rare visitors to our shores. Secondly, the views out over the Solent and onto the Isle of Wight, that mysterious isle, where they say the inhabitants don't have thumbs! Well, that's what I've heard.  Anyway, as I got closer two black shapes came into view. At first I thought they might have been hides for bird watching, a common activity in these parts, but no, to big.  The closer I got didn't make an interpretation any clearer.  Of course it wouldn't, it's art! These two 'buildings' are an art installation called 'The Observatory'; one structure is open and creates a shelter for you to observe the surroundings, the other structure an enclosed artists work space for resident artists. The Observatory will move between four sites over two years and is currently here. You can see the buildings are of a modern design, and can be rotated (I think), they're clad in charred wood, which is interesting and the enclosed one is half glass, so you can peer in at the art in progress. Nice. There should be more space for art, more energy focused in that direction. It's great to come across art in unexpected places, it enriches.  Get down there and have a look, I don't know how long they'll be there, mind.

Moon

I really dig the Moon!

Stash

Spilling from the hollowed trunk of a gnarly Holly, thousands of Holly berry seeds, all gnawed, obviously somebodies winter stash over several years. I checked the tree out, it was hollow up to about a meter and half, and all that space was stuffed with seed casings. I know Hollies can produce plenty of berries in a good year, but still, this many casings represents a massive quantity of berries. Some stash!

Hanging in there.

Some trees just don't know when to give up, and good for them. This old Beech has been battered and bashed, torn and twisted, but has refused to give up and tenaciously holds her ground. It's a tree I've visited many times over the years, it's situated in a nice spot with nice views. Clearly truncated at some point in the quite distant past, a solitary remaining bough has taken up the baton and continues to run with it, keeping the tree alive. The trees trunk is slowly rotting away, and is also being undermined, on a sloping bank, as it is. Although, the bough has thought of this and anchored itself into the high ground behind, supporting the mother trunk and, as insurance if the trunk fails, giving itself a chance of survival by performing its own layer cutting.  The force is strong in this one.

Munzee!

I found this attached to the Ivy climbing up a nondescript Birch tree over the local common, I wondered what it's about? As I say, the tree is nondescript, one of many of similar size and nature, nothing unusual. The label is at head height, a sort of buff laminate and was turned inward to hide the QR code (sounds like I know what I'm talking about, I don't, I had to look it up).  All I could think of is that it's part of some game, or some sort of orienteering set up. Well, not a bad guess as it happens, with the help of modern technology (my wifes' smart phone) I discovered it's part of something called 'Munzee' a global scavenger hunt game https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munzee. It's funny what you can unintentionally come across whilst out walking, there are whole worlds of activity out there, which unless you're personally involved, you know nothing about; the worlds a massive place, and there are boundless opportunities to get involved in it.

Copperhead Vol. 1

In the myriad world of comics and graphic novels, Copperhead Vol. 1 by Jay Faeber (writer) and Scott Godlewski (illustrator) had passed me by, until a friend lent it to me.  They suggested it had a sort of 'Firefly' feel to it (not copying though) and was a good read, they weren't wrong. Copperhead is a mining town on an alien planet, where Clara Bronson takes up her new position as Sheriff, along with her son Zeke; Bronson has a history that's not explained, although is alluded to. There's been a war at some point in the recent past between humans, their artificial soldiers and the aliens; the humans won and now they all exist together in a type of space western frontier land (the Firefly similarity). Copperhead itself is a hostile place, set in a hostile landscape populated by hostile aliens. Shortly after Bronson arrives there's a family murdered, the story revolves around solving that crime, settling in, and an exploration and initial insight into Copperheads characters.  

I really enjoyed Copperhead, it's a very easy read, a page turner with a lot of potential, and with a lot more hopefully to come. It travels a good pace, and the dialogue has the perfect mix or humour, intrigue and action; the art too compliments the story telling nicely. My only complaint, I found it was over too quickly.  My friend was right, there is a 'Firefly' feel to it, but it's not copying 'Firefly' in anyway, it's more as if it could be happening somewhere else in that universe or an alternative one just like it. A great read, and I'm looking forward to Vol.2. 

Suicide Squad Vol.1

Suicide Squad Vol.1; Kicked in the teeth by Adam Glass (writer) and Federico Dallocchio (illustrator). Well, what to say? I could say how it's masterfully written, every character perfectly depicted. Or how the story developed nicely, giving the main characters ample opportunity for development and to explore some aspects of their complexed and duplicitous personalities (and gives a nice insight into Harley's background). I could mention its exploration of official plurality, secretly using villains as disposable assets for their own aims. I could say how the art work is really top notch, complimenting the writing and could have almost conveyed the story alone. But I won't, all I'll say is...read it! It's great.

Catkin

It was a quiet evening over the common. Gone were the billowing battleship like clouds which gathered just inland before heading east, all that remained were their wispy remnants, now painted in the peach hue of the setting sun. As the sun descended and disappeared, the last frantic calls of evening bird song disappeared too. I stood listening and watching, transfixed by the simple beauty of days end, so easily ignored or overlooked. It was about then that I noticed the unopened catkins amongst the opened ones, their colours, the intricate forms, which again for the most part go overlooked. It's all going on out there, if we just take the time to notice it. Nature's great.

Cowslip

A few early colonizers are staking their claim, though soon the grassland of Martin Down will be swathed in an expanse of egg yolk yellow as beautiful Cowslips (Primula veris) take over, so much so that the land takes on a yellow hue. It's quite a sight to see.

Penbury Knoll

The views out over west Dorest and beyond from Penbury Knoll were fantastic this afternoon, and spring was certainly hinting heavily at what's to come. Gorse blazed bight yellow, green shoots and spring blooms poked up through the hedgerows, over the grassland and about the wooded dells. Bird song filled the air, hares darted across the fields and all around the land appeared alive with activity. The air was fresh and sweet, blown by a gentle breeze on which birds of prey soared. So peaceful, so natural, everything as it should be. It was bloody marvellous! So different from yesterday when I cycled around Bournemouth, all chaos and anger, choked up with its sticky, hot, dirty air.  From our hill top perch Dorset extended out before us, but you could see further, into Wiltshire and maybe beyond as well. At times like this I could just sit taking it in for hours.

Elephant tree or Rhino tree?

There are many striking trees throughout the forest, big ones, old ones, gnarly ones, weird ones and every thing in-between. The tree I know as the 'Elephant Tree or Rhino tree' is definitely one. A might Oak, I can't decide which it more resembles elephant or rhino, so its name changes on most visits. It's certainly a striking tree, a solid thick trunk blossoms into myriad of boughs creating a great swirling hydra like crown, which makes a good spot to sit and chill (although an awkward clamber is required). One bough though, a particularly large one, protrudes horizontally, looking like an elephants trunk or a rhinos horn.  Set in Sloden Wood, it's in fine company with many other ancient trees (mainly Oak and Yew), if fact it's not just the trees which are ancient. Sloden was the site of a Medieval hunting lodge (the remains of which can be seen in a low banked square feature close by), the Romans produced pottery along the brook which runs through Sloden enclosure (pottery traded all over Britain), there are Bronze Age barrows nearby as well as other bank and ditch features (period unknown, to me at least).  Today I thought it looked like a rhino, I think it was the eye like mark on the bough. Whatever, whenever, it's a lovely tree to visit and chill at.

3 sided leek

The 3 Sided Leek (Allium triquetrum) are coming out. This locally common wild flower is easy to recognize by its flower and distinctive 3 sided stem, and tends to grow in swathes. All parts of the plant, from the bulb to the flowers, are edible fresh or can be cooked, and be used in similar ways and in the same recipes as Ramsons, although not as strongly flavoured.

Head space

The wind blew threatening clouds towards us as we walked out onto Hengistbury Head this afternoon, threatening clouds who, once we were at the furthest point of our walk, carried out their threat. I sought shelter amongst the stunted wind sculpted trees of the head and found myself transported through time back to the late 1970's, when the 'Head' was one of our playgrounds. Good times (for the most part). I read more and more articles these days about young people suffering a type of 'nature deficit' through a lack of interaction with nature, and how this is to their detriment and to the detriment of our natural environment. I have to agree. 

In my early teens I began wild camping, sounds good, well it was and it wasn't. Hengistbury Head was one of those early camping sites, and the spot I found myself sheltering in today was one of our old favoured camping spots. A gully tucked away on the amongst the remnants of quarrying, long overgrown when we camped there, and even more overgrown and naturalized now, we had the opportunity to learn camp craft. The reason I see that young people don't interact with nature is they're not given the opportunity to become socialized to it, the spectre of stranger danger, new distracting technology and a lack of opportunities through development of open spaces and the imposition of restrictive regulations and laws. Yeah, lots of the things we got up to as kids weren't strictly undertaken within a legal framework, and certainly there were restrictions and dangers. Although from a legal standpoint our transgressions (riding mopeds over common land, camping, scrumping) would have only resulted in us being told to bugger off, or threats to tell our parents or at worst a clip around the ear, and that would have even been from the Police too! Now though a minor transgression too often results in criminal sanction. I've seen kids (those who get out) hassled for building camps over the common, or digging dirt jumps (both mainstays of my youth); yeah, the kids get it wrong sometimes, but hey.  We had the opportunity and space to make those mistakes and to learn through them. 

As I say, camping was both a good and bad experience, but we learnt and we developed.  We got wet, and learnt how to build better shelters. We got cold, and learnt how to build fires, and more importantly, how to respect fire. We learnt the places to camp and not to camp, to look at a landscape and understand it and how best to use it and its resources. Not only that, but we were socialized to nature osmotically and came to love and respect it. And those opportunities are missing for kids now, where's the space to learn and develop naturally...gone! I find that sad. One of my great fears (beyond the harm modern life does people and the experiences they miss out on) is that young people are not socialized to nature and to love her, and increasingly will not really care when a woodland is cut down for a car park or a common consumed by development, as they have no investment in it, no bond to it and no connection.  

Wild camping for all!

Easy now!

Walking across the 60 to 70 degree plus hillside of Hod Hill which leads down to the River Stour, the clay/loose chalk scree surface made extra slippery and dangerous by the rain which was periodically falling and weighed down by my stupidly large pack, it didn't take me long to realize the lunacy of my action. Although, it was long enough for me to have committed myself to continuing as I'd reached the point of pointless return. At least I had the numerous coppiced Hazels to hang on to. Though that didn't stop images of me slipping, tumbling, crashing into afore mentioned trees, before splashing into the chilly waters of Stour, filling my mind.  In truth I was more worried for my hound, although he appeared to be enjoying it as ever. My photo doesn't do the severity of the hillside justice, nor can in convey the sensation of walking on a sloping oiled surface. Still, we live and learn, well, in my case I live and don't learn. I've done this before and I'm certain on my next visit I'll do the same again, me and groundhog day are firm friends.  It did though re-enforce my view that any attacker seeking access to the fort above me would have most certainly chosen an alternative route.

Hod Hill

I've set myself a mission this year to visit all of Dorsets' hillforts. Over the years I've visited many of them, although many more I haven't and that situation needs addressing. Today it was the turn of Hod Hill out to the north-west of Blandford and on the hill adjacent to another well known hillfort, Hambledon Hill.  In fact Hambledon Hills fortification were deserted in favour of Hod Hill about 300BC, and having visited the two it's easy to see why. Hambledon Hills ramparts and ditches, magnificent as they are, only enclose a narrow occupation area which is far from level, whereas Hod Hill encloses a substantial 54 acres occupation area and is much more level. When fully occupied it contained around 250 round houses and associated structures.

It was captured by the Romans in 44AD as they swept west, after a siege and battle, evidence of which was discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1950's. A large number of 'ballista' bolts (substantial metal tipped arrows fired from a large mounted static crossbow) were recovered, and appeared to be focused on one particular large and palisaded building within the ramparts, possibly that of the tribal leader. Once captured and abandoned by its Durotrigion inhabitants, the Romans created a fort in the north-west corner. This variation on the standard square Roman fort (although utilizing the hillforts ramparts and ditches on two sides) is one of the best preserved Roman forts in the country. During the time it was occupied it housed around 500 foot soldiers (a cohort)  and 200 cavalry in support. The fort was not long lived though, being abandoned in 51AD as the frontier moved under the onslaught of the Legions.

Hod Hill is not a very steep hill compared with others in the area, although does have one very steep which runs down to the River Stour. Hod Hill is one of several hillforts sited in close proximity to the River Stour, which would have been ideal for transporting goods and people between hillforts. There's an entrance to the Roman fort in its north-west corner known as the 'water gate' as it's suggested the Roman cavalry used it to access the river in order to water their horses (how this is known I'm uncertain).

Hod Hill is worth a visit in any season: in the winter it's bracing, in the summer it's perfect for a picnic, although a favourite time for me is the end of April into May when the ramparts and interior are covered in Cowslips.

Is it?

Whilst checking out the Second World War archaeological remains at Warmell, on a mature Beech tree, we came across this interesting piece of graffiti, it reads 'Floyd Elin of OC'. I remember coming across wartime graffiti on my previous visit, could this be an example? Floyd's not really a British name, American maybe? The American USSAF were stationed here during the war.  And, 'of OC' could that be Orange County, California? Well, I put 'Floyd Elin of Orange County' into the search engine and got up an obituary of a World War Two veteran of that name, who died in 2013. Was it him? I've contacted the Orange County registration department to see if they can give me any more information on Floyd Elin, and now eagerly await their reply. I've found out that 474th Fighter group (comprising of the 428th, 429th and 430th fighter squadrons) of the American 9th Air Force arrived here in 1944 from Oxnard Flight Strip in California. Coincidence? Or was Floyd Elin a member of the 474th Fighter group? I'll post more when I know. 

Man, it would so cool if I could connect a piece of graffiti to its creator, and find out more about him. It's something I strove for, but as yet not achieved. If I could link the graffiti to the person, I'd love to send the family photos of it, of the World War Two remains of the area and some of the surrounding countryside in order to show the family where Floyd served during the war.

An Evening with Gothic Chicken (unplucked) @ Weymouth Old Town Hall 2.4.2016

The day so far had been great, wandering through the beautiful West Dorset landscape, visiting archaeological sites and taking in the views, but our day was about to get even better. It was time for An Evening with Gothic Chicken (unplucked), performed at Weymouth Old Town Hall.

We'd arrived at 'An Evening with Gothic Chicken (unplucked)' as an event highlighted on friendface by a friend. On checking them out and digging their sound, I bought a ticket and album, forthwith!  It transpired that 3 of the bands members were formally in a band I like, 'The Lucky Bishops', which bode well. Gothic Chicken are (from left to right) Marco Rossi - Guitar, vocals; Alan Strawbridge - Bass, vocals (former Lucky Bishop); Luke Adams - Drums, vocals (former Lucky Bishop) and Tom Hughes - Keys, vocals (former Lucky Bishop). 

The gig was promoted as an 'acoustic' performance of their album 'Lift the Cobweb veil', yeah right, the definition of acoustic they're using was a new one on me. That's no complaint mind. The album's great and we were looking forward to hearing it live; we weren't to be disappointed. From the start the sound was great, each band member playing their part to perfection. We were gifted a swirl of groovy tripped out psychedelic sounds, man. Toms key wrangling was top shelf (and that from a man who was airlifted directly from his sick bed to the keys), you can't beat that keyboard organ type sound ting when done well, and so well was it done. I love that sound, man. Lukes drumming was driving the tracks along in a timely fashion, keeping it pacey. On more than a couple of occasion I though 'man, he's bashing that out'; acoustic you say? Alan dropped some great bass and pulled some smashing faces whilst delivering his vocals, which I must say were almost like an additional instrument at times. Class! Whilst Marco twiddled and noddled his guitar very nicely, very nicely indeed! You could say that Marcos' guitar was the only thing remotely acoustic in the evening, and then only remotely.  Marco also beautifully delivered some witty through to weird lyrics, and gave entertaining introductions to each track. Each band member offered up great individual vocal performances, which when combined created some fantastic harmonies. The perfect vehicle to deliver some far out psychedelic numbers, in that psychedelic style which is uniquely British. It would be fair to say, I f*ckin loved it!

And that was only the first set!  After a short intermission it was time for set two - a set of covers, so loving covered it could bring a tear to eye, no really, they were great. The band had by now given up all pretence that there was anything remotely acoustic about the evening and rocked. By this point elements of the crowd had had enough and could take no more, they rose to their feet, the seating was moved aside and the seething mass danced and frooged in visible ecstasy. I for one couldn't get the smile from my face, nor would I want to.  There were some great covers from, Thunderclap Newmans' Something In The Air, to Canned Heats' Going up the country and Manfred Manns' My name is Jack, finishing with the Monkeys' Daydream believer, and a world of top tracks in between. Again it would be fair to say, I loved it! As did everyone. And do you know another thing that made the evening, the band all appeared to be loving it too, man, throwing each other beaming smiles. And that's when magic is created. Afterwards I got to thank the band, and they all came across as lovely guys.

The gig was sold out, and you could understand why. I can't wait to see them again, and recommend if they pass your way you get a ticket toot suit. For now I shall have to contend myself with wearing out the grooves on my copy of 'Lift the Cobweb veil'. Here's a link to their Bandcamp page if you're interested, go on, treat yourself https://gothicchicken.bandcamp.com/

I must take a moment to comment on the venue and the crowd. Weymouth Old Town Hall is, as you'd imagine, an modest sized old building, full of character, which is towards the end of a program of restoration. Staffed by nice friendly types, and has been restored nicely.  I'm sure it'll have a great future, it certainly makes for a nice music venue. And the crowd, well, the crowd comprised of a really lovely bunch of (predominantly local I think) folk, who were welcoming and friendly, and help create a warm atmosphere and certainly brought some energy. Chatty too. All round a fantastic and memorable evening, added to which I met up with a couple of lovely friends I'd not seen in far too long. My only complaint? Shut up! As if I'd have any complaints

World War Two Dorset (Warmwell airfeild)

I'd visited Knighton Wood on the edge of the Warmwell quarries, maybe 15 years ago or so, in the pursuit of Second World War remains, as Warmwell had been an important airfield during the war. On that visit I'd identified plenty of interesting remains, and had intended to return for further and fuller investigations. Well, I never did, that's often the way with intentions. Anyway, I thought I'd rectify that situation today as we'd be passing Warmwell on our way to prehistoric Dorset. I thought we'd recon the site in order to see how much remained.

The first thing that struck me was that a lot more quarrying has taken place over the intervening years and Knighton Woods is now greatly reduced in size and many of the airfields features no long exist. Still though, there's plenty of archaeological evidence visible in the remaining woodland, although the other thing I was struck by was how some of the more ephemeral features had degraded in 15 years.  Although, after thinking about, 15 years is nearly 20% the features 72 year life, so no wonder. I wonder if the increase in severe weather we experience will accelerate their deterioration.  We spotted several trench works around there woodland, and I suspect there are more to find. One trench I remember from my initial visit, two sections of zig zag trench with a corrugated iron covered central dugout, was certainly in worse condition than I remembered, and the central dugout was unrecognisable.

Several of the earthen banked fighter pens which lined Knighton Wood remain to a good height, although erosion has left them untidy and years of leaf litter have filled them some. Whether any of their dispersal track remained is uncertain. By the time of my initial visit to warmwell much of the airfield had been quarried away, although from the sections of concrete dispersal tracks I assumed it had been of the common 'A' plan of three interlocking runways as with most of the World War Two airfields I'd visited at the time. This assumption was incorrect, and although the dispersal tracks and other tracks around the airfield were concrete or metalled, the airfield itself was in fact grass. A fact which may explain the main area of the airfield being quarried so quickly. There are a couple of buildings in the area of the fighter pens which I remembered, and amongst the beech stands we identified more building remains. I'd not ventured into the woodland on my last visit, so all that was new and very cool.

During our short investigation we identified several other features and not all of the woodland was explored. There was one other rather groovy feature identified, it was a mystery at the time but I know what it is now (I'm not going to say though, that's for another post). All round our visit to Knighton Wood was a success and very cool. Certainly worth that further and fuller investigation I'd planned, and will complete...soon.

Prehistoric Dorset (Iron Age)

There was just one Iron Age stop today on our prehistoric odyssey, that of Eggardon Hill, but what a stop. If there's one prehistoric monument Dorset excels at it's Hillforts. Well, Dorset also excels at Barrows, but in this period, the Iron Age, it's Hillforts. Dorset has some of the finest and best preserved Hillforts in the country, an none more so than Eggardon Hill. I'd chosen Eggardon as I knew my friend had not been before, and I love seeing peoples expressions upon visiting some of these sites for the first time. I wasn't disappointed. Set high above the glorious landscape of West Dorset, overlooking the coast and Blackmore Vale and with 360 degree views, you really get a sense of how imposing hillforts must have been and the powerful statement they must have made. A truly stunning site and setting. Eggardon lies within the territory of the Durotriges, an powerful Iron Age tribe who occupied a large number of forts, minted their own coinage  and would have been big players in the region. Eventually, like most of the Iron Age/Celtic tribes who weren't already clients of the Roman Empire, the coming of Vespasian and the Legions did for them ( coincidentally, a Roman road passes nearby). Eggardon Hill has never been excavated, so much about it remains a mystery, a time capsule. What is clear to see though is the defencive strength of the site, positioned towards the end of a high spur it's imposing ramparts and ditches are augmented by naturally steep hillsides on all but one side of its trapezoid -ish shape, the only perceptable weak point being the eastern entrance approached long the flat ridge, although it's the shortest section of rampart and ditch and I should imagine would have been the focus of defence in times of attack. Sections of the southern ramparts appeared confused, a quite common and intentional feature of hillforts designed to disorientate attackers, although looking at aerial views of the site it's clearly evidence of later quarrying. From Eggardons ramparts you can see several other local hillforts, including Dorsets' highest, Pilsden Pen to the west (the flat topped hill in the distance of the bottom photo). I'd not visited the site for years and on arrival was blown away by the views as if a new, all Dorsets' hillforts are worth a visit, but some are really worth a visit, not just for their archaeological nature but for the stunning setting and views, Eggardon is one of those. Lovely.

Prehistoric Dorset (Bronze Age)

We're moving through time to the Bronze Age, well the end of the Neolithic in to Bronze Age, society is changing as are the settlement types, ritual monuments and burials. Dorset contains a number of Bronze Age monumental remains (particularly round barrows which are not represented in this post), we see the emergence of single standing stones, or linear stone setting and of course that most enigmatic of monument, the stone circle. 

First we have an isolated standing stone of a considerable size, the Kingston Russell Standing Stone. Set low in coombe below the extensive prehistoric landscape of Martin Down and Black Down towards the end of the Dorset Ridgeway (on private land behind some ostentatious black ironwork fencing and gates, but don't let that deter you, follow the nearby public footpath and easy access will become evident), the Kingston Russell Standing Stone is one of that mysterious class of monument, the isolated standing stone or monolith.  Very beginning of 2010; a Space Odyssey. The function of these monoliths is uncertain, although some may have celestial alignments, others may have formed markers on ceremonial ways where activities were performed as part of a protracted ritual, many have legends of healing associated with them, evidence of some folk memory maybe? Or just myths. What is known is that monoliths are not unique to the Bronze Age nor to Britain, with thousands identified around the world, suggesting something universal in this monument form. The Kingston Russell Standing Stone is of an impressive size and worth a visit, being obscured in its setting it's often overlooked.

Next, the Kingston Russell Stone Circle. First I have to say how disappointed, no, outraged I was at the condition of the site, cattle have been allowed to churn the site up, really doing some damage to the ground surface and if continued in time will seriously degrade the site (as with other archaeological sites, in the past its also seen ploughing too close to it). It doesn't take much thought. Enough though. The Kingston Russell Stone Circle lies about half a mile from the Neolithic long barrow of Grey Mare and her Colts, again on the Dorset Ridgeway. The 360 degree views are impressive, if any of the prehistoric practices at the site involved fire, it would have been visible for 10s of miles in all directions. The circle or rather oval-ish circle, comprises of 18 now recumbent stones, many of which are broken (there may more buried and the ones we can see might not be in their original positions), they are either of sarsen or some conglomerated stone which looks like lumps of pebble-dash, both types locally sourced, as I said it's an oval-ish shape of 27m at its largest.  I mentioned it's proximity to a Neolithic monument, stone circles appear first during the transition between the Neolithic and Bronze Age as new ritual and burial practices and material cultural items are embraced, a connection between the people associated with both sites is possible, distantly related group or family, or maybe it was just that that location in the landscape was significant. As with so much prehistory and prehistoric activity, it can only be hypothesized about, so let your imaginations run riot, no dragons though. There are two more stone circles locally at Hampton (2 miles east) and Nine Stones (4 miles north-east).  I like this site and in the past have spent some time just sitting (sometimes sleeping) within its bounds, a good spot for a picnic too. Lovely.

Prehistoric Dorset (The Neolithic Long Barrows)

  Dorset contains many excellent examples of Neolithic Long Barrows. Long Barrows were multiple burial monuments associated with the first farming communities, long earthen mounds sometimes covering a wooden mortuary enclosure or building, and sometimes a stone chamber or chambers.  There are differing interpretations of use and function, as individual sites throw up a variety of clues. They could represent the tombs of important families, maybe 2 or 3 generations. They could represent statements on land tenure. They could represent broader communal burials, with some having contained 50 or more  sets of remains. There is evidence of bones being reused and replace, maybe a form of ancestor worship. Or, it could be all of the above or something completely different. That's both the frustration and joy of prehistory. What I can say is, they took considerable effort and resources to build, and so must have been important to those constructing them.

Top is all that remains of the Long Barrow at West Compton, set on a high exposed ridge, the mound is all but gone and only 2 stone remain (or at remain visible). Increasingly when I visit sites I see the plough creeping closer and closer, here the area where the mound and ditches would have been is under the plough, probably destroyed, erased from the archaeological record (solemnly shakes head) rather than retained and the stones sit in isolation and increasingly out of any context. Still, it's a nice site to visit.

Next, is the Grey Mare and her Colts, the best preserved Long Barrow in Dorset (for stone setting at least, there are Barrows with more complete mounds, and probably some undisturbed). Set on the Dorset Ridgeway (an area crammed with prehistoric remains), you can see a considerable distance in all directions. Much of the mound has disappeared, and the burial chamber has collapsed in on itself, though some of the uprights of the large stone façade remain standing and evidence of a possible surrounding stone kerb are visible. Excavated in the 19th century, the chamber yielded quantities of human bone and some Neolithic pottery.  A really nice site to visit.

Finally, the Hell Stone. Again on the Ridgeway, the Hell Stone is a bit of an anomaly as it has clearly suffered from a 'romantic' restoration in the late 19th century, making it great visually, although in no way reflecting its original appearance.  A cluster of large upright stones support a substantial cap stone, there is also evidence of a long mound, although this is truncated and very eroded.  Again, this is a really nice site to visit and even if it doesn't reflect the original form, it is a Neolithic Long Barrow site.

Dorset, an archaeological odessey

Today the spring sun shone in a near clear blue sky as we set off to explore some of West Dorsets enigmatic ancient sites. These sites hold a special place in my heart, they were some the first sites I visited on my journey into prehistory and on into archaeology. Even before I knew what I was looking at these ancient sites where working their magic on me and strangely directing my lives path. They weren't just influential on my archaeological path, but on my spiritual path and creative/artistic paths too.  The three entwined paths creating a single journey which had begun on the summer Solstice morning at the Stonehenge Festival in 1984, as I and friends watched the sun rise over chanting Druids within the majestic stones of Stonehenge. It had been a while since I'd visited some of these sites, and I was excited, more so as I was taking a friend who'd not been to many of them, and I do like to enthuse, like some amphetamine driven mentalist tour guide. Whether the victims of my ramblings enjoy them or not is another matter, and not really my concern (winks). Even more confounding to people must be my visible enthusiasm for World War Two concrete, corrugated iron and trench works. Another aspect to me is that I'm constantly learning myself from each visit, seeing things differently, seeing where I made wrong assumptions and therefore interpretation, and through that developing my perspectives and understanding of the sites and landscapes they're set in much better. I know that over the years through periodical visits my descriptions and interpretations of sites have evolved, and hey, if I get to drag people along with me to these 'piles of stones', earthworks and World War Two sites, well that's just a bonus, I do love talking (winks again).

So, I divided the day into 4 posts in age order. First some Neolithic Long Barrows. Second a Bronze Age Standing Stone and Standing Stone. Third, a magnificent Iron Age Hillfort. And, finally (and not so ancient), a World War Two airfield. Enjoy, or not (as you've guessed I'll ramble anyway).