God's Own Country

Somewhat unexpectedly, due to the kindness of friends, I find myself heading to God's own country and a weekend break in a cottage in Ingleton, North Yorkshire. Of course, I will be looking for some oddities in addition to the walking, as is my wont.

Given that I am heading to the putative Lord's territory I consider that the perfect way to achieve universal balance is pass through a pagan site enroute and so head initially to the Swinton Druid's Temple.

Sadly, this is no ancient site, but a more recent folly, built to satisfy the whims of some aristocrat. Not that I have an issue with this (other than the sheer wealth and waste it represents for the time) - I have always had an affinity to the works or obsessives. This is sort of the British equivalent to the crazy American roadside attraction that a random crazy has spent a lifetime building, only with staff.

Anyway, according to the signage, it is likely that a hermit was employed to live here, which a believe was de rigour in fashionable society at one point.

Onwards towards Ingleton, passing the Ribblehead Viaduct

An early evening stroll around Ingleton surfaced another viaduct (must have been almost as fashionable at one point as hermits)