Legend has it that a King and his army were marching across to the Cotswolds when they were stopped by an evil witch who tricked the King into thinking he would become ruler of the land. Needless to say being the wicked witch that she was, she turned him and his army to stone instead!
Now hang on a minute, one minute these soldiers are marching forward, the next standing in a circle??? What's all that about?? I've never heard of that as an army manoeuvre before!
Anyway a week or so ago Henry suggested we should take doglett for her afternoon walk to the Rollright stones. It was nearly dark, cold, damp and foggy! Mmmmmmmmm, can't say it filled me with enthusiasm. Oh well...the dog needs her exercise so why not?
It's a short car drive away so we were there in a few minutes. Our previous visit was in late summer, hedgerows full of blackberries and sloes, autumn leaves just starting to fall and it was a warm, sunny day. High up and overlooking the hills towards Chipping Norton, tonight it's a cold spot and there is an eery light that hangs.....a stillness about the place that is chilling.
Who knows what ancient rituals and ceremonies took place here? Only the stones can tell....and they ain't talking!
A short walk along the path and we find the whispering Knights. A huddle of enourmous stones that really do look as if they are planning treacherous deeds. The surprising thing is that these were built around 3800 - 3000BC, long before the stone circle. So was it the same witch who turned these chaps to stone too?
As we head back towards the car our pace quickens and I resist the temptation to glance back over my shoulder...Truffle is drawn by the call of roosting pheasants and being the silly Spaniel that she is we have to make every effort to stop her running off into the mist. The coldness is starting to bite and even once we're back in the car, feet and hands are like ice blocks. It's a short ride back and we're thankful for the warmth and comfort of our little home.
