Wayland Smithy. Tomb of the ancestors

Read the meaningful words of a friend here
Hello Sandy,
Beautifully done and words from the heart. Took me straight back there. We ARE the people who made something of our lands and fought and bled over them and shaped our little world to support us, the North West European peoples indigenous to these mountains, rivers, moors, downs and meadows.
We carved our story into the landscape and marked our tribal lands in oak and sarsen stone and with the bones of our chieftains and our loved ones. They deserve our veneration for they link us directly to these islands we call home and I feel their presence at the ancient places made and on the days we know they held to be special.
Your candle was a fitting tribute to those who went before, its flame burns in the stone womb of the Smithy and in the mead halls and ale lodges of Valhalla and warms the battered bodies of the einerjar, the immortal souls of bygone armies of warrior farmers and spearmen on the palisades of our hillforts. The flame burns brighter for them all everytime one of their sons or daughters lights another in rememberance of them. Our forebears live in us. While we breath as a race the flame burns in the halls of our ancestors. It is my greatest and most fervent prayer that the flame and our folk are never extinguished for that would douse out the light of the world and herald a second
Barbarian age of Darkness. Excellent video mate,
You can see how its kicked me into gear a bit. Lump in the throat job. I hope all goes well for the owl. You were meant to find him. He had one eye. Odin was there watching...with his one eye.
Thank you for stirring my still waters.
An emotional Chris :-)

[@stuartdow]

you are a lovely man thanx for the music vibes and vid ......enjoyed very much :)

[@NorrieMacTHESMOG]

I love visiting these ancient sites. If you ever get a chance to visit the Orkney islands please visit. Its full of these types of sites. alb Norrie

[@bushfalke]

Beautiful Video Sandy,nice trip to the ancestors ! and great job saving the owl. ATB Falko

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching falco. Sandy

[@funkyprepper]

one of the best videos i've seen thank you sandy :)

[@livesatellitestudios]

I agree. This video has the lot. It's more like a BBC Documentary than a YT video. Respect! If only the world had more people like Sandy....

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Darren. It is a powerful place. We will have to go there together oneday. Sandy

[@funkyprepper]

Wiltshire Man 100% yes mate

[@TheSilverBinder]

Thought provoking and the concepts feel right. I make it a habit of thanking my animal brothers when I make a kill. Maybe I'm too old but I see too little respect for nature and what keeps us living on this earth. Food comes in tins not gardens and little plastic cartons not hanging skinned and waiting for sharing. We are a plastic society in a tin foil world. This on the eve of Thanksgiving in America. I am of Native American heritage and don't much celebrate. It is a time for retrospection - a time spent in the wild woods talking to my brothers: the wind, the trees, and the owls. Thanks Sandy for bringing this video to me bless you brother!

[@WiltshireMan]

I think it is very healthy to see the animals as brothers and to give thanks for them. You are right to do this. The old ways are right especially for you. When the Roman empire invaded these lands 2000 years ago they used many systems of control to subdue the native peoples. One was religion. Stick to your roots. Sandy

[@TheSilverBinder]

Sandy, I plan to. I try to pass it on but youngsters don't have values that allow the adoption of these types of values. They don't see where there food comes from. Stan

[@mooseyrambling5838]

I Love revisiting your old videos. Good then! Now excellent, improves with age Sandy, Like all of us . Big thumbs up.

[@suburbandruid618]

Thanks for this video. I have been following bushcraft videos while a nasty leg injury has kept me from going out and about. You guys have taken me out into the woods by proxy, brilliant. This video was just GREAT, very powerful place. Now I am walking again this is on my list of places to visit.

[@FutzWith]

Another, Very Cool Video!

[@davidtomkinson1876]

Interesting video Sandy. Amazing place. Love the swedish pack. I have one and use it often. Great value and well built. Keep em coming and thanks.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching David. sandy

[@harebell6850]

Lovely informative video and great music too. Thanks.

[@martycuff1]

We'll done sandy hope the Owl. Recovers thanks for sharing mate enjoyed Marty cuff

[@SilvaWolf]

Wow, I would love to visit there Sandy, thank you for sharing, and thank you for the history! All the best. Dan

[@louisemissouri4410]

In South Florida we don't have the color's of the leaves that you have there, the rust color against the green fields is really beautiful. The tomb was so interesting. I'm surprised it's not fenced around it to keep it from being disturbed. Thanks for sharing this! :)

[@dseednorwayn47]

thanks for the walk mate, good information, and stay safe on your hikes.

[@Trailseeker13]

Thank you very much for the history and much respect for the way you handled the owl

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks . I appreciate your comment Sandy

[@trinovantian1]

Your a top man Sandy, love your videos and hope to buy one of your knives when available one day. Cheers.......John.

[@WiltshireMan]

+trinovantian1 Thanks John, I am working flat out at the mo building for the knife show.

[@scherer321]

Your the best thank you

[@albertjones4803]

excellent loved the candle offering and the running history was spot on alb

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Albert. Sandy

[@jasongreen2179]

The ring of trees surrounding the barrow are really interesting too . They are covered in names and dates cut. Into the bark. Dates going back hundreds of years. The oldest being high up the trunks where the tree has grown over the years.

[@TheMendipman]

Sandy What more can I say? All the foregoing comments are richly deserved. Bless you, my friend. Noel

[@redrocco44]

Thanks Sandy for a very interesting video. Much enjoyed.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Red. Hope your well. Sandy

[@defender4Jesus]

Awesome video Sandy!! We need more people like you in the world.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Defender. Take care Sandy

[@pabloandersonbye1069]

thanks Wiltshire man.. relaxing and informative.. before we travel down.. looks like we best bring a candle :) ..

[@KennethKramm]

What a nice place to visit, Sandy. The British countryside and history is awesome. The this video presentation stimulates deep thinking about ancient people, how they survived and linked effectively to the modern world. Olive oil lights were used historically, probably in the tombs where you the modern day version. Thanks for bringing us along and creatively linking 6,000 miles and 6,000 years. I am overwhelmed your creativity in taking the challenge to make make a candle from food. This video says a lot; beautifully shot and edited. And the injured Tawny Owl. Thanks for helping the owl. In the states, we have wild-animal rescue organizations that assist animals like the owl. Curious to know the outcome of the owl. Thank you stirring emotions and deep thinking. Peace, Ken

[@WiltshireMan]

Ken, Each of us has a direct link back to the very roots of humanity. Our direct ancestors were there in the neolithic, mesolithic and paleolithic. Our present day situation is a direct reult of what happened in the past, but there is something missing. That crucial link is not as strong as perhaps it should be. The human race has spent too much time looking forward and not enough looking back and it kinda forgot where it came from. I am trying to present my videos as best I can but am limited with the PC. Just a laptop here and a basic camera. As funds become available I intend to upgrade and thus enhance the viewing pleasure of the watchers. PEACE MAN. Sandy

[@KennethKramm]

Wiltshire Man Powerful insight Sandy, Keep up the good work, my friend.

[@Naturliebe]

Fantastic video and very interesting history, Sandy. I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for taking us along. All the best and have a wonderful week. Greetings Tito ...Nice find at the end. Really a beautiful owl.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching Tito. All the best Sandy

[@BaddaBigBoom]

I very much agree with the words of your friend. Blessed be.

[@nomercyurz]

really enjoyed watching this

[@got1intheshed]

Hi Sandy, I've done that ridgeway walk a few times now it's a wonderful place, probably one of my favourite places in England. Thank you for shearing it with us. All the best, Anthony

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Anthony. It is a beautful and ancient place. I love it. Sandy

[@HansPetterOsvold]

You are a good man Sandy, thanks for helping the owl and thanks for shearing this nice video, atb from Hans

[@WiltshireMan]

Thankyou Hans

[@PAULIEBOY1967]

Excellent vid Sandy Ash and I enjoyed that immensely , it had the lot my friend thanks for taking us along stay safe good man Paul & Ash

[@WiltshireMan]

Glad you and Ash enjoyed it. All the best and take care SAndy

[@essexplodder9796]

Hi Sandy, i think Darren has said it all, a truly superb video, also very well done for the owl rescue, atb, Barry

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Barry

[@jbradshaw4236]

Good to watch this again. this inspired me to visit the tomb and it's popped up again,. Still brilliant

[@WiltshireMan]

When did you visit John? If your ever this way again let me know

[@heidiscott61]

thanks so much for showing day looks slot like graveyard near calistoga

[@robertclarke7274]

That made a nice break from the workshop Sandy, some very interesting sites in your part of the country.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Robert. I try to get out into the fresh air atleast once a week. It is quite a nice part of Wiltshire here. Sandy

[@jgbsweeper7325]

Thanks for the wonderful videos.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Sweeper

[@BenSHammonds]

hello from east Texas, I found this of much interest and joy to view, just following the ancient track would be enjoyable

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Ben We have a lot of history here in Wiltshire going right back to the Neolithic with constant human activity ever since.

[@AussieMark909]

A wonderful video. The scenery, the history, I enjoyed it all. Beautifully shot and edited too. Thanks Sandy.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Mark. It is a Special place. Sandy

[@Murrangurk2]

the videos they made used an out-dated format. You'll need some kind of Neolithic Emulator. I visited UK for the very first time in August, 2013, and we went to Wayland Smithy and I had a nap on the mound. I discovered that in England it is impossible to get lost. I took a short cut back to the carpark and ate some corn from a field. It was AWESOME! I LOVE England! And later we saw a crop circle at another Barrow.

[@stonybrokebushcraf]

Thank you Sandy that was brilliant

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Andy. Peace man Grasshopper

[@RM-io7qo]

I hadn't seen this fabulous video before now, Sandy, but it did truly enjoy it because of an interest I have in the ancient tribes who were our ancestors. I was born in Hampshire and many of my ancestors lived in Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire, though I can only trace them back to 1545, still thats pretty good going. That was really nice placing that candle within the tomb. There is a magical feeling in such places and a link to our past. Thanks for sharing. Take care...

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Haha ...I do that too :-) Sometimes a crystal and often music.

[@jbradshaw4236]

Corr this was a goodie to watch.. Bit of inspiration for me.. Im hoping to visit the site this Thu Sandy, a bit of a pilgramidge from w sussex. Wanted to visit the site for years. ...All the best .

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Same here. I'm in SW London ...will make it over there sometime soon.

[@JohnRDove]

I really like this video sandy, Thank you

[@WiltshireMan]

+John R Dove Thanks John and glad you enjoyed the video. Sandy

[@stoneman886]

Great video Sandy.. Enjoyed the narrative too.. Sites like that always amaze me.. The effort that must have gone into making it... I hope the owl makes a recovery.... All the best.. Mark

[@WiltshireMan]

I hope so too Mark. All the best Sandy

[@oldguy537]

that was a pretty special video Sandy .. thanks mate

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching Tony and glad you liked it. Sandy

[@BobBob-wf8kv]

me and my family were thinking of going here, looks great

[@WiltshireMan]

It's worth a visit Bob

[@fepowson]

Enjoyed this Sandy and, let's hope Tawny recovers. Best Wishes...Les.

[@WiltshireMan]

I hope so too Les. He was a beautiful creature.

[@Tiz604]

We are all heathen unless you want to falsely convince yourself otherwise ! Woden who gave his eye for wisdom !..a wise Owl with one eye you have been blessed ! Hail Woden Hail his Folk!

[@jonwright9436]

Magnificent vid your understanding of local history is brilliant and well done with the owl mmany people would have left it to suffer atb jon

[@WiltshireMan]

I had to read from a script, but i had a good understanding anyway. Glad you enjoyed it. Sandy

[@SADCOCK1970]

Nice video. A couple of tips: For pan shots, to avoid that jerky movement, loosen the screws on the tripod a little and hook a rubber band in the arm. Pull the rubber band and it will make the movement smoother. For dolly shots, tilt the tripod forward on two legs only.

[@andrewpaulreynolds6329]

Fantastic video Sandy really enjoyed it all and nice to see you where there for the owl and here is a link that you may find interesting about the past on KZbin ,mind science kept hidden. I wish you all the best and look forward to more of your videos . Andrew

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching Andrew,

[@awesomeinforensics]

Nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@Brummiejohn200]

Great stuff Sandy I enjoyed that video, hope the Owl is OK most people would have left it but not you, your a nice bloke, atb John.

[@WiltshireMan]

will be on skype in a while.

[@garyagreen100]

RIGTIG SEJL,pretty cool

[@neanderthaloutdoors9202]

Interesting vid Sand, been there with the kids when they were younger but didn't know much of its history, am now more enlightened, thank you, the wife and I intend to go back sometime, poor owl.

[@WiltshireMan]

Not sure what became of the owl. I like to think they gve it a chance but a one eyed owl can find the going tough. Sandy

[@ANGLINARMY]

Thank you so much for sharing that!

[@gbbushcraft2311]

that was a great video thankyou

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching GB Sandy

[@thunor100]

wonderful video my friend.and evokes many memories as i spent quite a bit of my army service in wiltshire and was too young and stupid to appreciate it. best wishes john.

[@WiltshireMan]

Most of us when young do silly things John, but don't have any regrets. You should only regret the things you never get the chance to do. Wiltshire awaits your return with an older and wiser head. Sandy

[@thunor100]

I,ll be back

[@m0cdl]

Hi Sandy, it must be 30 years since I was there!! We used to come down to the lambourne dog show and camp just off the ridgeway very close to weylands smithy, we must be connected somehow! We seem to share the same things! I have just bought myself a D3200 too! Then there's the guitar, morse, getting out of doors, and terriers! I have Borders, keep at it mate and one day I may be able to afford a Jacklore knife! Hi, cul 73 fer nw John M0CDL ..

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks John. I have 2 terriers. Elsa and Jess. Jess is a nasty little thing at times and doesn't like long walks. Hope ypu are enjoying your camera. I love mine and still learning how to use it. It's all good fun. Sandy

[@tattiibi99ins]

Thanks for taking us along to such a beautiful place. And also I want to say you are a very good man to help that owl out. I think even if the owl was a loss your Karma points went up a few brother. Wishing you all the best ...Brad Alan

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching brad. Sandy

[@DustinHarms]

Wow, your videos are really becoming quite good quality, and definitely interesting. Thank you, and please, more!

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for watching Dustin

[@MrDazza64]

Nice one Sandy, be interested to know if the Owl survives? As you'll know, many get 'fostered' and either returned to the wild or live-out a happy but captive life with people who care. ATB, Dazza.

[@Rygel]

Amazing that this is just open. Here in the States some degenerate would have destroyed it unless it was all fenced off and guarded. Sad statement but true IMO. I've just discovered your videos. They're like watching a show on BBC! Great job.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Degenerates over here usually can't be bothered to go hiking. Those that do, especially to ancient places normally do because they feel a kinship, though it may be a bit drink/cannabis fuelled, they rarely do damage. They might leave a few roaches and beer cans lying around (naughty) but their hearts are in the right places.

[@crazysaint222]

Fantastic history video, with a nice animal hospital ending...without Rolf, which is a bonus. Bare in mind, that handling any bird without a license is technically illegal, but I'm sure they would turn a blind eye (no pun intended) to your rescue operation. Keep up the good work Sandy. All the best Adam

[@WiltshireMan]

Laws like that are to be broken.... I just couldn't leave him there. See you soon mate. Sandy

[@crazysaint222]

I totally agree. I have some expanding to do on this subject matter, but I shall save it for a video rant lol. ATB

[@lbcustomknives]

That's a great vid our kid

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Lee. Wayland Smithy is a special place. Take care our kid. Sandy

[@lastgameplay]

Great video!!!!

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Josh

[@darrenkawasaki6345]

that's a lovely video.thanks

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Darren. Sandy

[@Tyddewi16]

Great video Sandy, I really enjoyed that! Looking forward to hopefully walk the Ridgeway one day.

[@Jackloreknives]

Not hopefully... DEFINATELY ! Stay away from the bread! Sandy

[@TomPhotoix]

Excellent video again Sandy. I've visited most of the local ancient sites, but not this one for some reason, its definitely on the list now. I remember many years ago lighting a candle in a similar barrow. I went back a few years later and the candle was still sat exactly where I left it. In our world, there is very little respect left for anyone or anything, its nice to see places like this still get the respect they demand and aren't on the whole vandalised or mistreated. Great commentary and video work, I'm sure in time it will get better and better. Maybe also think about investing in an external microphone and recorder. Doesn't have to be fancy, but will make hearing you a bit easier when doing voice to camera stuff.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Tom, I can recommend visiting Waylands Smithy. When your able to make it give me a shout and we can go there together if you like. As for the video camera, my camera won't accept an external microphone. I would really like to upgrade to something semi pro and also a better editing suit. I currently use Windows movie maker. Thanks for watching. Sandy

[@TomPhotoix]

I use a small zoom h1 recorder for my audio when I'm out an about. Either stick it In a pocket or use a cheap lav mic. Bit of a pain synching the audio after, but it makes the quality so much better. Your DSLR does pretty good video, so you may be able to use that for some stuff, especially the bits like you did to camera in the entrance of the tomb, no need to spend loads extra on gear just yet, although new toys are always nice!

[@BaddaBigBoom]

This is great :-) I've not been here before. I've been to West Kennet Longbarrow ..near Calne/Avebury, I love the atmosphere there.

[@billyjoedenny]

awesome video, thanks for sharing such a beautiful and ancient place. also a good tribute to kenneths channel. ..bill

[@wufwufwufwuf]

Fab vid Sandy

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks wuf

[@funkyprepper]

had to watch it again sandy - any news on the owl?

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Darren. I don't know what became of the Owl. They never contacted me. I doubt they would remember now if I were to enquire. Beautiful countryside up there. The land of our ancestors. Did you contact Scott? Is he going to the bushcraft show too? Maybe we can make it happen for him?

[@Ragingskull]

Excellent video. Was looking at your reply to Kenneth and must say you don't look like you're very limited in what you can do with what you have when making or editing your videos. Loved this one to bits and made me think about a few places not far from where I live that has a significant history and has been lost to moldy history books and tossed out of the schools to be replaced by "modern ideas"

[@WiltshireMan]

have to agree with you regarding moldy history books. I am trying to improve the quality of my videos. They can and will improve. Many thanks for watching and commenting. Sandy

[@LoneWoodpecker]

Great video, awesome place! I always ask myself, how they lifted these stones thousands of years ago. I found four border collie puppies left to starve in the woods about two weeks back. I took them with me, bathed, fed and partially deloused them (there were too many), and brought them to the "Centro Canino Internacional", where its great employees kindly took them. Have a great one, amigo! ;)

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Rich, You did a great thing for the pups. They are our brothers and sisters. We must care for them. I bet you feel good inside knowing that you helped those helpless creatures. GOOD WORK MY FRIEND. Sandy

[@KennethKramm]

Thanks for doing the right thing, Rich.

[@LoneWoodpecker]

My neighbour kept one of the puppies. The little one grew a lot and is going to be a great dog. Love to see him playing around. One has to be a heartless p.o.s, to not have saved those puppies, All the best, amigo!

[@TomSykesMedia]

Great video mate. Hope the Owl is ok. Pls keep is updated. Your editing skills are really good now.

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Tom, I am really quite passionate about our local area. I also really enjoy making my videos and am trying to improve with each one. I am getting to the point where I need to upgrade the laptop to a Mac or something with better processing. Also perhaps a better camera and some tips from a friendly local cameraman would be very welcome. Thanks for commenting and watching. Sandy

[@stephenlargue6289]

Lovely video mate, poor owl

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Stephen. the Owl has a chance of surviving now. Sandy

[@adelarsen9776]

Words are sometimes hard to put down in writing. I'd like to think about all the people that used that stone tomb and why they were there. What were they thinking about ? What made them laugh ? What were they eating and drinking ? How did they view the world around them ? Were they wiser than we of today ? What knowledge did they posses that we lack today ? How was the world different for them ? Were they more relaxed than us ? If their ghosts could talk, what would they teach us ? What would we learn ? What lessons and warnings would they give us ? Are we better than them or were they free ? Did they endure the seasons or did they welcome them ? Are they truly dead or do their spirits and DNA live inside all of us ? Would they see us today as disconnected from the nature ? I bet they could tell some pretty good stories :-) This stone tomb is a place that can help us get back to the nature and find our inner-being. It's a place to respect and revere as well as a place to think and philosophise. A spiritual place. Hallowed ground.

[@goonluv]

Hi sandy great vid , loved the history. I've learnt something today. Hope old tawny got sorted what was the music it was very apt to this vid weldone in picking it atb Gordon

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Gordon. The music titles are right at the end of the vid. Sandy

[@simoncook6503]

What a fantastic and moving place, my wife and I always loved to visit places like that but sadly she has bcome disabled and is now in a wheelchair.Thank you for sharing this with us Sandy. You are a man after my own heart as far as wildlife is concerned, did the owl make ok do you know? Simon

[@WiltshireMan]

Hi Simon, Sorry to hear about your wife. I don't know about the Owl. Atleast he has a chance now. Hope you are able to get out into the wilds still. Sandy

[@Andyb2379]

Sandy I've been watching your videos all bank holiday. Have to say your a remarkable man & love the uploads. I have been wondering what breed your dog is? Thank you for bring me long on your adventures. You are very inspiring to me to get out there & explore nature

[@WiltshireMan]

Andyb2379 Go for it Andy. Get out and explore. My dog is only a small mongrel, a bit tattered and old but I love her!

[@ScudoCamper]

looks like an interesting place Sandy. nice vid. Shame about the no camping. :-( Would the show thing apply to boots as mine need doing there getting a bit thin. lol Talking about the place with lots of information is a good idea.

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Austin. Glad you liked the video. What was that about the shoes?

[@ScudoCamper]

Wiltshire Man I have a habbit of confusing people. lol The horses had there new shoes I was looking at having mine done :-) lol

[@discostu2246]

I went there last week 🙂

[@WiltshireMan]

It's about 7 miles from my home

[@mc_tarzan]

Brilliant Sandy!, its not Yorkshire.....but still brilliant. ;-) phil

[@WiltshireMan]

Rhanks Phil. I would love to visit Yorkshire some day. Sandy

[@farty1000]

great vid any updates on the one eyed owl??

[@WiltshireMan]

I'm not sure what became of him Dave. I like to think he made it but the vets never got back to me. Sandy

[@BaddaBigBoom]

The olive goes to the Goddess ;-)

[@Dylan-zy4uz]

200th like

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks Dylan :)

[@KountKasper]

Is that the Swedish army backpack?

[@WiltshireMan]

Yes it is

[@heidiscott61]

chuanghuan could t have said it better.

[@JimForeman]

Hey Sandy, I was there also the one near Avebury when I was doing a bicycle tour there in 1996. Story of the trip in my website www.jimforeman.com

[@WiltshireMan]

Thanks for the comment Jim, I am just looking through your website now. I used to be interested in glider flying. I had 6 launches but then went over to microlites, where I did a few hours. Unfortunately it was just too expensive for me and also my eyesight wasn't really upto it if truth be told. Thanks for watching my video. Sandy

[@graememitchell5742]

DAN YOU HAVE DONE WELL OUT OF ME! WHY DON'T YOU PAY BACK ALL THOSE SMOKES YOU BLUDGED OFF ME YOU CHEAPSKATE!