Yesterday we set out for Caldbeck to visit a wool shop nestled near the Skiddaw Forest (we think). On the way we found the Castle Rigg Stone Circle, a mini Stonehenge likely built about the same time. It was a brilliant sunny day and the view of the Cumbrian Mountains from there quite spectacular. Unlike at Stonehenge, you can touch and even sit on these stones. We had followed a winding side road to get to the stone circle, but as soon as we drove a few hundred feet further on the same road, we found ourselves in the major city of Keswick. A few hairy turns later, we were back on track and on a country road to Caldbeck. The wool shop was a gem and the village delightful to walk around in. Our return journey was a hilarious misadventure following the shop clerk's directions, then we finally resorted to the SatNav again and got back to Patterdale.

Today's objective was to see Hadrian's Wall and Lanercost Priory. The wall exists in parts in several places, so we headed first to the priory, a 12th century complex of buildings, some in ruin. The focal point is the parish church, still in use by 162 people in the area. When we arrived, there were professional singers practising opera for a fundraising concert. Wonderful acoustics in the massive stone nave! In spite of a drizzle, we explored the ruined buildings next to the church, including one section of cloisters renovated by a 16th century aristocrat. The adjoining farm is still owned by a 21st century aristocrat. The drizzle was pretty steady by now, but we forged on to find the wall, first bits of it almost obliterated by a quarry, then a substantial chunk near a Roman fort ruin. As we headed back south to Patterdale, the sky cleared.