Rain on Binsey Fell

Binsey is such a useful fell. It's not too far away, it doesn't take long to get to the top, there's parking by the field gate and excellent views - on some days. Today there was a low cloud with a seasoning of raindrops . These were blown by the wind to strike with a sting as biting as pepper shot, calling up tears of salt and a runny nose. But for about 45 mins it was invigorating, until socks and shoes started to squelch and wet was creeping up under the waist line to meet the down seepage from the neck. You'd have thought there wouldn't have been many people about but at least 5 cheerful parties were passing up or down  from the summit, younger members staggering in the gusts and clinging on to each other. It's a strange feeling when your leg is whipped sideways as you raise it and your foot plonks down in a place other than where planned.
Standing upright ensures that you get the full brunt of the wind but squat or lie down and the microclimates become apparent. Even a small tussock of moorland grass provides respite and a tiny oasis of calm . A couple of meadow pippits rose out of their hollow as I approached, then were swirled away like lumps of animated mire into the whiteness. Round the back of the cairn four red grouse rose heavily from the heather, like rotund rugby balls popping out of a scrum. Living underground would seem the more sensible option and everywhere the turned down grass was sculpted with the neat cylindrical holes of mice and voles., or pock-marked with mole hills. But maybe the rain would have been dripping even into their tunnels, turning them into a network of dark drains and underground rills.
I was quite happy to get back in the car and drive damply but warmly back for a late lunch and mince pies