Like many upland areas around the UK and the rest of the world, dry stone walls can be found all over Dartmoor. Some are hundreds of years old and have fallen into disrepair, others are well maintained and still functioning as they were intended.
The name refers to the lack of any mortar used in the construction, although often nature takes its course and soil arrives and fills in the gaps.
I’ve always loved these old walls, to run my hand across the granite is a journey back to the dawn of time on our planet, and to make contact with all the hands that have touched before me. Dartmoor’s dry stone walls may not be as grand as those built by the Incas in Peru and I don’t suppose they can be seen from space like the Great Wall of China, but they are living, breathing masterpieces in their own way.
Cheri Lucas Rowlands has created the photos challenge of Wall this week, click to join in.
Lucid Gypsy 
Beautiful walls. Much more interesting than mine 😉
Love those walls. What craftsmanship it took to build them!
janet
Lovely, lovely walls and especially the picture with the lichens – a living wall 🙂
These remind me of Robert Frost’s poem ‘Mending Walls’. 😃
Fabulous walls, Gilly. Your photos are so gorgeous. Those old walls could tell a few stories, I’m sure. 🙂
I want to visit your part of the world Gilly. You do it proud. I love your mixing of geology and human history. “North of two bridges” is a particularly spectacular photo, with all that horizontal layering. My most recent encounter with such a wall was at my son’s place (how is a son of mine so practically capable? – must be his father’s genes.) And before that near the Dead Cities in Syria – remembering that part of the world makes me so sad and angry at human destructiveness and murder.
Eventually these stones, drawn from the ground will return to the ground in the fullness of time. This is the time they look the best don’t you think?
I agree. What about the current trend for kitchen worktops to be made from granite? I find that really annoying!
I’m with you, granite and marble. I’d use polished concrete. Better in every respect . Where’s all the promise of spring?
Nice photos, and glad you included the interesting descriptions. My favorite is the “North of Two Bridges, towards Wistman’s Wood” — love the great colors and composition of this one.
I’m in awe. Can you imagine how much work it took to raise those huge rocks on top of each other? Talk about persistence and fortitude. ❤ The photos are outstanding, Gilly. Marvelous collection.
Love the walls. They each tell a story …
These walls say England to me, and times gone by. Lovely photos Gilly
Dry stone walls and Dartmoor: a powerful mix
Great photo of stone walls, Gilly. I wonder if the craftsmanship of these walls will ever become extinct. They seem to last forever. Nice post …!!!
❤
OOoopppsss … I posted too soon. I wanted to ask how Daisy is doing?
Hope she’s running around enjoying doggie fun. ❤
She’s still feeling very sorry for herself and has had several more trips to the vets. She’s very happy that you asked though and sends big Daisy licks and tail wags 🙂
Awww … I can sympathize. I know what it’s like to feel a little short in your health. I love her kisses and send special petting. : ) ❤
Makes me wistful for my Yorkshire ones, Gilly 🙂
beautifully captured and told, Gilly. i agree – every wall, no matter how humble or old, has stories to tell.
i especially love the close-up with the lichens. so rich!
Always fancied doing a dry stone walling course!
The third and the fourth are my favourites. Lovely colours. BTW Julia, you may be able to do dry stone walling on a working holiday with the NT.
Shot no. 4 is gorgeous Gilly! Great choice for the challenge.
Stone walls have such regal dignity and history.
You capture the spirit and beauty of Dartmoor so well. Thank you for this enchanting post.