Simonside tree

We got out later than planned - we blame the lure of the Saturday Guardian - but we got up Simonside in sun at first then cloud to see the Christmas tree. There used to be one growing there. Local people took up baubles and prayer flags and decorated it but the authorities cut it down as it was a wilding and not appropriate on the moorland. We were all upset and there was a big fuss so maybe they put this up every year now. Or someone does. It’s got wires to hold it securely because of storms as it’s exposed on the open moorland on the top of the ridge. It gets taken away again after Xmas.

I didn’t like the first part of the climb, up through the forest, as a few trees were uprooted in the last storm which made it tricky. It was very muddy and slippy as well. We reached the red forestry road where the biting wind was in our face so it was a relief to reach the shelter of the last steep 100 feet scramble up the rocks to reach the top, 1.25 hours later. Some of the rocks where the sun hadn’t got to were icy. I couldn’t believe the number of people we met - Mr C joked it was as busy as the Tongorira Crossing. It was good to see families and young people out on the hills and not in the shops.

It was a brisk walk along the stone slabs (there to prevent further erosion) till the tricky down climb amid a rocky outcrop before a further trek along slabs. At last we reached the tree which was taking a blasting from the wind. I tied back on as many of the unbroken fallen baubles as I could. A passer-by kindly took our photo.

I couldn’t face the quicker easy way back as it was a quagmire so we kept going up and down the ridge on the rocky path till we descended to Lordenshaws car park after which it was an easy walk back along the road to our forest car park. I was a bit weary as even though it was only 5.5 miles there was a quite a height to gain on rough ground. I am even slower going down and the whole walk took 3 hours. I tried to eat a Snickers on the way along the road but had to be careful - it had got so solid I was worried I’d lose a filling.

#3 daughter send lovely photos of the children getting a hug from their dad at the metro station. He’d got out of work a bit early in order to say goodbye. Then more photos of them walking to the aircraft - the excitement of their first long haul flight. I can’t imagine the faces will be so perky by the time they get there tomorrow.

Since I got back from the walk I have been cooking. The curse of Ottolenghi strikes again. It took ages to make the Leek and Nut Roast Tatin which was in Feast a few weeks ago. I also made the harissa trout rillettes but used hot smoked salmon instead. It was a faff as well. It’s a pleasure to do really as Lynne and Gavin are coming for lunch tomorrow and they appreciate the effort and enjoy new things. (And we had a good night with Katy and Colin last night).

A large gin awaits. I think deserve it. I’m loving reading an old book - “Nice Work” by David Lodge published in 1988. It’s clever, political, funny and literary.