Simonside

Another backblip

Mr Rat decided the weather was so good and his legs weren't too weary that we couldn't miss the chance to go up Simonside. A year ago a gale had prevented the walk and on Saturday morning low cloud and rain had stopped me running up as soon as it got light (as I was in the area having sent him off on the bus to start his run). I went up once before about 50 yrs ago but don't remember much except there was snow that felt like pins being thrown at you.
As you a see it was beautiful and there weren't many people around. After the top we decided to follow a path round the back that met the St Oswald Way but there was a short section where it disappeared and some heather-bashing ensued - not the best for weary legs! The rest of it was beautiful, though.
On the way up a young wheatear (see extra) was hopping aong the path and then caught something to eat in the heather, aloowing me to get quite close with the camera
Then into Rothbury where we had lunch and did some shopping, which included a visit to the wool shop.