Simonside - in search of cotton grass

A friend coming to visit soon is very fastidious about house cleanliness. She once asked me for an old toothbrush so that she could clean my taps. Mr C decided today was the day for de-gunking the toaster, scrubbing the kettle, finding cobwebs and oiling the kitchen worktops. His choice. I just hope he uses his own toothbrush.

I felt weary after our weekend of cocktails and other fun but Mr C thought I’d be better out of his way. Most of my walking friends find Simonside too steep now and Ailie was nursing a cold so I went alone. Well not quite - I hadn’t reckoned that with it being bank holiday dozens would be on the tops enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. I hoped to see lots of cotton grass but it was in short supply - maybe it has been too dry? I enjoyed the 6 miles though not the 3 mile drive to get there - a Chelsea tractor tried to force me into the ditch on the single track road. I followed 2 other cars out of the woodland car park to come home so the big white van that met us reversed to a passing place.

Mr C has done a wonderful job. Now the rest of the house looks bad. I’m off out to the garden to read my book.

The picture on the left is where I was heading, and top right is a view from one of the tops over to our house which is in the row of houses in front of the wood above the fields which are above the village