Balbirnie

Incredible day today.

Headed out to the wee town of Balbirnie, Fife. There is a small stone circle there, which was moved from its original position during the excavation of the site between 1970-85. It was used for burials between 4000-1500 BC.

You can read all about it on The Northern Antiquarian. 

It's part of a much larger complex, including a henge. En route to find it, we came across wooden markers in a park, outlining what they think may have been an enclosure, which stands atop another small henge.

The incredible thing about the Balbirnie henge is that it has survived the progress of time. It sits slap bang in the middle of a housing estate called, you guessed it:

A rough panoramic of the site:

There are only two stones left standing at the far end.

But the rest has been marked out with posts, like the enclosure. It is honestly a credit to Historic Scotland that anything remains of it at all. Apparently it was flanked by two further circles, rather like Avebury. It's a site you couldn't use today due to, as Paul put it: "A supreme lack of privacy," but it is fantastic to know it's out there and that it's been absorbed into the psyche of the local estate. Even the roundabout into town pays homage.

This was also my first cup and ring stone. I've looked at pictures of them for years, but don't recall ever having seen one, and certainly not one so unmistakably well preserved.

Also found a very cool mushroom forest.

That polypore, bottom left, when dried, can be used to sharpen knives.

Also saw a lovely tree with beautiful roots.

Took the opportunity of a deserted back road to deliver a first driving lesson. Kitty dealt with the assault on her clutch admirably - and the assault on her paintwork.

Let's just say I will never make a driving instructor. But we did make some new friends along the way.

The two friendliest horses in all the world.

We also received a gift. Lying right in the middle of the road. Thought it was a piece of wood at first, but turned out to be a deer skull.

Any ideas what species? I was going to say Muntjac, but the antlers are too long, and it's a little large. Doesn't look like any of the others on the British Deer Society website. A young Roe, perhaps? Times like this I wish my mate Tas were here, she does some incredible artwork with animal skulls.

As it is, it's now propped up in the shower, to try to wash off some of the grime. Will look nice once it's cleaned up. Couple of antlers from Glen Lochay in the kitchen that will compliment it.

 

Strange it was right in the very middle of the road, as though waiting for us.

Started to rain as we headed back to the car - the long way. Drove home through a torrential downpour. Snuggled into dry clothes and rustled up some comfort food (just to prove I can do 'domestic' once in a while):

Probably our last outing. Sad to say I'll be leaving for Edinburgh on Wednesday, but happy to say that's because Martine is back in the country. Can't believe how fast the time has gone. Both the five years since I last saw Paul, and the fortnight I've been here. I will be very sorry to leave, but happy to know that he is well and happy, and no doubt soon to return.

Alter ipse amicus