Rievaulx and Dry stone walls

We have two bank holidays in May, the first, I went for a walk around Rievaulx Abbey; a magnificent building (even now). I tried to imagine the monks and life within the walls, times were very different then. Founded in 1132, Rievaulx went on to become the wealthiest monastery in England. (Rievaulx)

Cloisters, kitchens, refectory,oratory; all that was needed by the community of monks, were within the walls. These walls that have stood up to not only the dissolution but time and weather, to enable our modern day pilgrim to glimps into a way of life - prayer, work, study and rest.

Another day and another walk in the North Yorkshire Moors. Strewn across its length and bredth are dry stone walls, an art still kept by local folk and handed down for future generations. (walls) You have to marvel at the shear size of this task, to enclose fields and moorland. These are not preformed bricks but sandstone rocks of all shapes and sizes, all of them carted by horse to site and each one of them handled and chosen for its size and shape.

There are no rejects, each one is needed and necessary for the build, and no one stone is more important than another.

Note to evening office: That whatever I am, I am needed and it is the builder who places the stones.
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