Eildons

I’ve been yearning to get properly outdoors all week. I find that a customary sort of melancholy takes hold of me when the clocks go back, and that my daily routine of rising and returning in the dark starts to seem a bit relentless. So it was very good to take advantage of a lovely golden day, and go walking in the Eildons. As we took the path out of Melrose, we spotted this message on the hillside.

Clearly the proposed crematorium is unpopular . . .

The Eildons are very pleasing to walk in at this time of year. The hills themselves are shapely and interesting, and there’s a great variety in the landscape: blustery tops, steep scree-lined slopes, heathery moors, and rich, rich woodland. The latter was particularly glorious today. When one is feeling a wee bit grey, it is so good to absorb oneself in Autumn’s crazy colours. I love to see the last leaves go out in a blaze of gold . . .

. . . . the wine-red haze of berries on bare branches. . .

. . . outlandish lichen . . .

. . . seasonal oomska . . .

. . . and the fabulous prospect view across the border. . .

. . . all most restorative.

Tom’s legs were also in need of a good stretch: last Monday, he ran the Dublin marathon in 2 hours 58 minutes! Both the legs and their owner are feeling very pleased with themselves.

Enjoy your Halloween, everyone! There’ll be no guisin‘ here: I am looking forward to an evening of rabbit pie and Winstanley. . .