I visited the Giant's Ring nr Belfast yesterday. In the centre of a Neolithic henge stands a dolmen, which is estimated to be around 4700 years old. The circular earthwork wrapping around the tomb really does transform the landscape into an arena, creating an undeniable air of reverence.

Scenes from a crunchy, glistering Saturday in Harrold, Bedfordshire

Two posts from British Library Oral History Archivist Charlie Morgan on the challenges of AI for oral history: key questions https://blogs.bl.uk/digital-scholarship/2024/12/the-challenges-of-ai-for-oral-history-key-questions.html
#ASR #OralHistory #ML #AI

Because we can't have enough hauntingly beautiful trees in our feed, here's another misty photo from Salcy Forest, Northamptonshire at the weekend

We're blessed to have such talented folks joining us for Writing the Occult: The Uncanny - people like @elizadearnley.bsky.social, who's latest Tales of the Weird collection for the @britishlibrary.bsky.social is all about uncanny playthings. Tix now on sale. Details at writingtheoccult.carrd.co

From the @theguardian.com country diary archives today comes the story of the disappearing Glastonbury thorn trees. Written by Gwen McBryde in 1950. #naturewriting #countrydiary

The light & shadow of winter I shall not wish away.

At the close of the darkest day - winter #solstice dusk near Woodford, Northamptonshire

It was empowering to be surrounded by these lofty giants growing in Salcy Forest. There's an intimacy to be found in misty mornings, when reduced visibility seems to draw the world that little bit closer.

Right. Here's the finished version.

I peer into the murk of an old windmill through clouds of cobwebs and dust. Melancholy hangs heavy in this dark, circular room. In quiet sanctity, an aged millstone is illuminated by the weakening sun, patiently waiting for the wind to turn the lumbering sails one last time.