The Royal Oak

An old, well known Appleby Inn. We don't go very often, but we decided to eat out as we were going to a meeting later . . . and we were sort of celebrating. After all it isn't every day that you get a letter (as Gordon did) that says the taxman owes you a substantial amount of money. And then you ring up the tax office about something else (as Gordon did) and speak to a lady who offers you even more money as a quite separate refund.

Then we went to a meeting of the Appleby Archaeological Society. To a full house Archaeologist Ronan Toolis gave a very detailed account of an excavation of Trusty's Hill near Gatehouse of Fleet in Galloway. By coincidence SpotsOfTime only a few days ago went looking for the very same place, she found it. 

The contention is that this early medieval (6th/7th century) hill fort was the Royal Stronghold of the kingdom of Rheged. He made a very good, well-researched case and it was fascinating. However, I'm not sure that he convinced anyone, not really. Of course, Cumbrians believe that Rheged must have its centre in Cumbria, well they would wouldn't they. Problem is - there is no evidence for this. Not even the fact that on the outskirts of Penrith there is a Shopping Mall Discovery Centre with the name Rheged. 

It was a lively meeting, with some argument, but very interesting. Now, I need to find Trusty's Hill.