Medieval Mayhem

Gosh, I was out like a log last night after all the field work but maybe the double helping of Epsom salts in the bath helped! 
Okay, the phot was taken yesterday but I've been working on it today so it's very indicative of my day and just look at it. This is Ballinvard tower house, on private land and we were fortunate to be taken around by the owner.  Actually it belonged to his wife's family and has been in their ownership of ages.  All three local lads could remember as children having this castle as their playground. Then it was open and they recounted slightly hair-raising tales about being able to go to the very top and saunter around the unprotected walkway. Pat also told me about a bullock who had leapt up withe spiral staircase with abandon but couldn't get down again - apparently cattle can go up but not down!  He had to find his own way down, Pat said, it took him two days and just a small slip at the end! Now the entrance is barred and cemented shut due to elf and safety - what a shame, I'd have been up like a shot. It dates from the late16C and was looking in pretty good nick considering.
Apart from that I've been sorting out one of the reed beds that had vanished under a swathe of creeping buttercup, nettles  and herb robert. And the sun is still shining. 
Megalithic mayhem