Not so much shadowed as dwarfed!
Lost him!
I had little intention of clambering to the heights of Penshaw Monument when I set out for my walk on Monday. It was blowing a gale, for one thing! But blue sky and the temptation to ‘see for miles’ got the better of me.
You can even climb to the very top, by a hidden staircase, in Summer
It didn’t last long before the rain gusted in, but it was good while it lasted. And how else would I meet the weekly challenge?
restlessjo 
Well that was a shadow of shadows place Jo ! Good for you making it up there for that shot 😉
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It was a whim, Poppy! We were with our walker friends in the country park below and when we finished quite a short walk I just couldn’t resist dragging Mick up there. He was ever so grateful 🙂 🙂
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😀
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I’d like to take the staircase!
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Me too, Andrew. It’s usually grey and miserable when I’m up that way, and it would have been crazy on the roof on Monday but of course it’s not open till Easter 🙂
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Fab shots Jo. Especially love the first shot of the solitary human between those lofty columns.
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Thanks, Madhu 🙂 That’s Mick, looking for a warm place to hang out! Warm hugs to you, hon.
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what a fascinating place! thanks for sharing.
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You’re most welcome 🙂 Strange what you can find on your doorstep! (or near to)
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Jo I love it, what a man that Earl must have been, I think its the best folly I’ve ever seen. I checked the link, what a view!
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Same guy as was involved with Roker Pier, Gilly 🙂 Strange what makes some people tick!
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Amazing structures!
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I usually only see it at a distance so I enjoyed my close up 🙂
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Definitely overshadowed in that first photo. amazing captures Jo. Really creative.
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That was Mick looking for a warm spot, Sue! It was blowing a hooligan up there 🙂 Thank you!
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A monumental achievement!
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It surely was! 🙂 🙂
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How else, indeed.
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🙂 🙂
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I’ve never heard of this, I had to click the link to check it out. I wish I’d known about it when I lived in England!
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If we’re driving northwards we often pass it, in the distance, Elizabeth. I guess you take what’s on your doorstep (well, half hour away) for granted, but it’s very often shrouded in grey. I enjoyed being up there on such a clear day but it was wild! 🙂
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Magnificent capture, Jo! I’m in awe!
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It is rather a strange building to have stuck on a hill, isn’t it, Amy, but impressive up close 🙂
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Gosh Jo you are full of surprises. I have never heard of this place either. Will have a look tomorrow. Just wanted to say that Michael looks totally overshadowed by those pillars! Great photos 🙂
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I think he was looking for a warm spot, Jude 🙂 Fat chance, but the views are great! We pass it if we’re going north but it’s most often on a distant hill and looking grey. We were walking with the group in the country park below and when they set off home I dragged Mick up there.
Hadn’t even thought about the challenge. Thanks, hon! 🙂
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What our poor husbands have to put up with!
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That’s a big monument Jo – nice invigorating climb on a blustery day!
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I was with the walkers in the country park down below, Suze, and when they headed for home I couldn’t resist going up for a ‘look see’ 🙂
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The lengths to which some bloggers will go to, to meet a challenge!! It was worth it, Jo. Great pics. 🙂
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I hadn’t even thought about the challenge till I got up there, Ad, but the shadows were too good to miss 🙂 Thanks!
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Serendipitous!
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This monument is like the remains of a Roman empire, Jo! Wow! I am impressed this is so close to your home and so ancient looking, too. Penshaw Monument may have to look up its history. Thanks for these shadowed views, Jo!
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I think the weather might have to do with how ancient it looks, Robin. It’s usually shrouded in cloud but, as you can see, this was a bright day 🙂
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Some people would say that there is a certain eccentricity in wanting to climb to the top of a hill on a windy day, which I see as quite appropriate in these circumstances. After all someone eccentric thought it would be a good idea to build a “replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens” (as you do) on top of a hill near Sunderland… and why not.
Excellent photos, I especially like the last pic and the use of perspective which you are particularly good at.
Meanwhile… up here in the Highlands we have lots and lots (and lots) of snow. Yeahh!!!
Happy New Year. Yeahh!!
Mark
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Mark! I feel so guilty because I haven’t been to yours since ‘Adam was a lad’! Should have known you’d be pulled in by Penshaw 🙂 Beautiful though it undoubtedly is, you can keep your snow- I’m a softie! We’re just at the hard frost stage.and that’s bad enough for us oldies 🙂 I’ll pop in and see you when I’ve struggled out from the weight of my Inbox- promise! Meantime, have a terrific 2015 and thanks for your visit and kind words.
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I did read more about this monument. So very interesting.
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Isn’t England full of wierd and wonderful, Esther? 🙂
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My fear of heights would have keep me at the bottom, Jo. It’s great to have brave friends who are such talented photographers too! xo
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Foolhardy springs to mind, Jill, but it was fun up there 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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I admire your challenge perseverance Jo! Great shots too 🙂
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It’s a cracking spot, Debbie, but it’s usually shrouded in grey. Just too tempting with that sky 🙂
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What a monumental … monument! I thought you’d snuck off to Greece or Rome. Your neck of the woods is full of surprises. Will you ever run out?
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Almost certainly! I was just following your conversation on Jude’s Eurobodalla. Lady in black! 🙂 🙂
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