Day 30 - Lake District to the Scottish Borders

The drive through the lovely countryside of Cumbria was as green and picturesque as we have come to expect.  We visited the Castlerigg Stone Circle which dates back to before Stonehenge.  As is the case with so many of these stone placements, their significance at the time is not known for certain.

Hadrian's wall was an interesting stop.  There is not much remaining of the original structure because the stones have been removed for construction of buildings and fences.  Hadrian was a Spaniard who represented Rome in Roman times.  He had the wall constructed to protect England from potential enemies.  He had a loveless marriage and then fell in love with a man and became a homosexual.  He was devastated when his male lover died.

Then into Scotland to Comlongon Castle, for a banquet and our accommodation for our last night together as a group.  The porter, batmen and waiters were all dressed in kilts which were very appropriate.  Dinner was preceded by a brief visit to part of the living quarters of the early occupants, accompanied with some gruesome facts from that time.  Farmers were expected to pay the lord 95% of everything they produced, so the gentry became obscenely wealthy whilst the poor died young and were hungry because of lack of food and resources.

Today's countryside was magnificent, with lakes, stone fences, winding roads, and the green pastures that seem to go on for ever.

At the Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Judy with Margaret and Teresa enjoying a good laugh.

The 360 degree view from the Stone Circle was amazing.

Remains of Emperor Hadrian's wall which was built by the Romans around AD 122.

More of Hadrian's wall which originally stretched for124 kms.

Colonghorn Castle at Clarencefield where we are staying for the final night.

Inside this very old Castle.

The gardens surrounding the Castle.

The fire place which was used to shed light into the main living room at night.  Candles were too dangerous because of the risk of fire.