Autumn Birch

If truth be told we would not have chosen this day of drizzle, rain and mud for the U3A walk in Bilston Glen but we are a hardy lot and, waterproofs on, hoods up, hiking boots securely fastened, off we went with our guide and mentor, Angus Millar.

Thus we tramped across the Bilston Viaduct and followed the burn this way and that, making the occasional wrong move. Here the mining spoil is colonised by birches and scrub, covering the rock which is exposed in only a few places. The coal seam runs below these rocks. Up and down we slithered, returning across the spoil heaps, where the photo was taken, emerging back at the viaduct.

I took very few photographs but could not resist calling the wet and bedraggled group together for a photoshoot, of the type our family terms 'We Are Enjoying Ourselves', however I do not have permission from all the members to publish it outside the group.

Mr Flum and I drove home to shower and change, the walking gear has been washed. I am pleased to report that, apart from my hair, everything remained dry. As someone recently reiterated, 'there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing'. True, indeed.