The first time I explored the area I came across this stone structure, this cairn sits atop the limestone pavement near Long Scar, being in that frame of mind I considered it then, and wondered why someone had gone to the time and effort of building it. It stands about 6ft high, and is obviously of some antiquity given the amount of lichen / moss growth, it could be a waymarker - as there is a safe route down Long Scar not so far away from it, but it's still a distance away - personally I like to think it was built by some bored shepherd as a walling 'apprentice-piece'.
On a very (very) cold day last November I decided to go for a bit of a paint, (and spurred on having read one of David Bellamy's books intimating at painting in all weathers - although I draw the line at rain and snow) and equipped with my pochade box I climbed the path close to Dry-Rigg Quarry and onto the Moughton uplands. It was perishingly cold, but hugely relaxing, and as I was slapping the paint onto the pochade a stoat came out of hiding to have a look what I was doing, normally I don't like visitors, but I didn't begrudge the curiousity of a stoat.
I wasn't originally planning on this one being a 'biggie', but with a moment of inspiration I had a bash at it, changing the compsition somewhat through the process of the painting. Having painted it I know what I could do better and if I re-do this or painting some more limestone scenery I will be able to apply these technique changes.
Regardless I like the feeling of solitude and drearyness (again), and I am certainly inspired enough to have another bash at Moughton's karst landscape. I reccomend anyone to go there and experience the lunar landscape, it has a feeling all to its own.
http://www.davidbellamy.co.uk/
