Cotton Grass on Simonside

I know I said yesterday I was going to sit and relax and read my book after having such a busy few weeks, but as it was warm and sunny today I suggested to a friend we catch up on our news while walking up Simonside, so we were up there for the morning.

The cotton grass was at its best, the cuckoo was calling and lots of families were out enjoying the hill. All the paving, reputed to be old flagstones from Lancashire mills, in the picture was helicoptered into the national park and laid to protect the environment from erosion caused by the many walkers on this popular hill walk. 35-40 years ago, when I'd walk the daughters up here, there was barely a path. It's good so many people are able to get out into the hills, though.

Now I'll sit in the garden with my book - after I've started preparing food for tonight!

(Ella and Nathaniel were totally over-excited last night in the camper van - she fell asleep around 10, and he was so tired he cried himself to sleep. They were awake at 6.30 - I'm so glad I'm not there! )