A sense of place

Have you ever noticed some areas seem to have their own special resonance, a feeling which cannot be explained but which seems to linger there when you come across them? Is it just down to a splendid view perhaps or is there really a sense of peace or possibly something more turbulent? Some would say this is complete balderdash, but others hold strongly to the view that a place can record, hold and repeatedly replay past events. Some factors which determine where we chose to stop or set up permanent residence are constant: how damp somewhere is, how exposed to the elements, whether there is adequate shelter, how accessible it is, does the surrounding area grow food well, and is there sufficient drinking water for example. Looking at past settlements, now in ruins with the builders and occupiers long gone it is still appealing to speculate what they thought of the view, what attracted them to this spot in the first place and to try to pick up on any thoughts or fears they might have left behind. If only the walls could truly talk!