As I mentioned in A walk in the Blackstairs......20.10.2010 we failed in our quest on that day to visit what are said to be the highest growing beech trees in the land.

Well, this weekend Sue arranged another visit, this time with her sister and our very good and very long term friends Dave and Sue.

So, up Shannon's Lane we went again and this time spotted the correct turn-off point and made a direct journey to them.

The first sighting..............

...............and a pretty pair they are, are they not?...............and wonderfully incongrououse in this mountainy setting.....

............and there is a third tree, not looking too well I fear, which overlooked (or sheltered) a dwelling that was occupied until the 1930's, we understand.

You can just see, in the middle distance, what I assume must be a self-seeded 'volunteer'.

And why, I wonder, does this bring Wuthering Heights to my mind?

A quick picnic was consumed - there was a cold wind blowing that discouraged lingering - before we set off on the return leg.

And on my way back I came upon (nearly fell into) this spot where water emerges from underground and immediately forms a stream with a considerable flow.........

.......and not far beyond I found this 'rampart' (pictured into, and away from, the evening light) up onto which I climbed. I have yet to discover its age, purpose or meaning, which provides just the necessary impetus for us to return to the Blackstairs on a further voyage of discovery.