Feeling guilty

This morning Husband suggested that we go for a walk but that we leave George behind and go for a long exercise walk rather than a short slow meander. (It's Dad's fault, George!)

We walked to the end of the tip, across the valley, cut across the busy cycle path and headed up the valley hillside. It's a walk we're very familiar with but as we haven't done it for such a long time - years - it was a bit disorientating at first. However, very little has changed. A few more fallen trees here and there, and a number of new fairy doors, but the main thing was how very very dry it all was. 

It's unusual to see the hill as dry as this. Even in dry spells it usually has boggy bits.

A number of years ago the council did a massive cull of rogue rhododendron bushes that had spread from nearby Clyne Gardens. They are invasive non-native species and were taking over so they council had to cut them back to allow the natives trees to regain their rightful place. Inevitably a few bushes escaped the chain saws.

Our walk took us past Witches Hollow and the old winding machinery. In the past the valley was a hive of industry with brickworks, mines, and an arsenic works - and a railway running through it.

It was much more peaceful this morning. Although I did spot this strange creature watching us.

I gave George his usual post-walk treat. I think he was happy enough with that. And he would never have coped with the length of the walk or the hills we climbed.