Wandering hills across England and Wales, I often come across man-made stone structures like this old shepherd’s shelter on Arnsbarrow Hill, Cumbria.
In various states of disrepair and decay, they’re usually not that interesting after you’ve seen a few. I moved on and around to reach my intended hill summit just behind. Turning to look at the view on all sides, my eye was drawn unexpectedly again to the shelter.
This time I was looking at its inside from above. I spotted a small bright disc in a corner. Not being something I expected to see, I went to investigate.
It’s a token of some kind, a memento or talisman hanging from the stones in the corner of the shelter. Someone had clearly left it there to be found.
Now I’m not usually a great fan of things left in the hills, especially painted stones, stone stacks, flower memorials, that kind of sentimental thing — but this one really appealed to me. You can see why.
It was so completely unexpected to find it there. It made a nice day even better and I found myself bouncing along for the rest of my walk.
So, to whoever left it there in the early summer of 2023, thank you.
END.
Alex Hardisty 