Dry Stone Walls

I am sharing with you here,

 some photos of the wonderful stone walls in Cumbria, UK.

  I love the tradition and craftsmanship involved in the making of these walls, 

and the beautiful colours and textures

 that the moss and lichen add to the stone.

According to the Dry Stone Walling Association, "dry stone walling in Britain stretches back at least three and a half millennia, to the village of Skara Brae in the Orkneys, and the Iron Age brochs of northern and western Scotland. 

Dry stone walls are found in Britain, and elsewhere, where large quantities of rock and stone are found above the soil, and especially where trees and hedges do not grow easily because of the climate, elevation, strong winds or thin soils.  This is why dry stone walls are most prominent in northern and western Britain, and often at the higher altitudes." 

 You wonder about the people who made these walls so long ago.

 A lone crow surveys his world.

They reach way up the mountainsides, 

and along once narrow tracks which are now well used roads.  

Beware meeting a tourist bus when you are just inches from these walls!

These last two photos show a wall which has long stones

 set into the wall to make steps.

They stretch right through the wall as you can see from this photo taken from above including my foot!  Do you notice the tremble?  

I did not feel too steady!!

• What is the traditional form of hedging/fencing/ walling in your area?
• And what do you love about it? 
• There are so many different types aren't there? 
• Would love you to leave a comment and let us know. 

And by the way, if you love these walls take a look at the work of 

Andy Goldsworthy who works with nature to sculpt beautiful walls like these with the addition of large amounts of creative flair.  Thanks to Julie Gibbons from Tractor Girl for alerting me to Mr. Goldsworthy's incredible artworks.  He has written a book called Wall, which shows walls using similar traditional techniques as those above, and really looks a fascinating read.