Any one who might come across this blog, first of all welcome, won’t be aware but I blow hot and cold about something almost in the same sentence. Those of you who have been here for a while will already know that I change my mind about many things. Yesterday I was all cold about my historical research and today I was out doing field work all day for the historical research.

It was a real great day apart from when I was almost attacked by a dog! Now I don’t blame the dog but I do blame the owner who hasn’t taken the trouble to control their animal. One of the worse things you can hear is…’ oh he won’t hurt you…’ Today it was a big strong dog who finally obeyed his owner not before coming right up to me barking and bearing his teeth!

Apart from that it was wonderful day, especially standing next to the stone cross at Sproxton. This is over a 1000 year old, covered in weather worn celtic carvings, and when you touch it you suddenly get this feeling of connection with a past you only get the faintest glimpse of. These crosses probably replaced wooden versions that went back to the earliest christianity – so the church yard at Sproxton could have been a holy Christian site since 7th century. Of course Christianity actually went back to the 1st century in Roman Britain but after Roman withdrawal it gets rather murky in our part of the country so it is safer to take about the reintroduction in the 7th century.

I’m really tired and have a lot or work to do tomorrow but it has been a great day. Hot and Cold indeed.

Simon Marchini
Web: http://WWW.simonmarchini.co.uk