Feat or Folly?

Penultimate day's walking now complete, we have arrived in Carlisle and are looking forward to exploring this evening. The weather has been very much on our side today: heaps cooler, with a slight breeze, and no rain save for the residue of an overnight downpour making the grass squeak under our boots. The terrain has now switched too, from craggy, rocky and undulating to flat field footpaths but for all that it was easier underfoot this made for rather unremarkable and somewhat unmemorable miles. In fact it was only on reaching the outskirts of Carlisle that HRH spotted something curious which, on checking into our B&B, had me reaching for Google. 

Our guide book just says 'Folly in field' on the path that traces round the back of the small village of Rickerby, and a note to say that the whole hamlet "with all it's towers and turrets, resembles one enormous Victorian folly". Certainly we spotted an odd 'totem pole' carving in a tall tree in someone's garden and a sign on a gate indicating 'Study - Quiet!' that would bear this out.

Actually Google wasn't much help. All it could add was that the stone tower was built by an eccentric man with a very eccentric name - George Head Head! 

So what is the definition of a folly that makes it not just a feat of construction? 

Definition: noun

A costly ornamental building with no practical purpose, especially a tower or mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park.

I guess the key to this then is 'with no practical purpose' and of course seeing the word folly in the guide made me think instantly of the other meaning:

Lack of good sense; foolishness, "an act of sheer folly"

I have to admit I commit to these long distance walks and then spend weeks if not months doubting why I was so foolish. What is the 'real purpose' of walking from one end of something to the other? Where is the 'good sense' in spending a week of my holiday getting up earlier each day than I do when I'm working, waking up stiff and achy, and risking sore places in places I don't usually use, but when it comes down to it it's the sense of achievement that does it. I like being able to say I've done it. I like too seeing places in our beautiful country that are inaccessible by car. I like knowing my body is being pumped full of fresh air day after day, I even quite like the daily workout. Sadly this time I've been blighted by blisters which has increased the challenge and taken the edge off the enjoyment a little. But nevertheless I'll be feeling great tomorrow  evening when the feat is done and the folly forgotten. Wish me luck ... :-)

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