Pollution

Put a coat of wax over the paint on the shelf unit this morning; gives it a nice soft matt finish but not sure how hardwearing it will be. We shall see!

Another late-afternoon walk to make the most of good weather, once again round the side of Humbleton and on to St Cuthbert's Way. On the way up we noticed strange-looking orange clouds, and it took a while to realise that they weren't clouds, but smoke.

They're burning the heather in several places on the moors to create a more attractive habitat for grouse. It's a practice that's been banned in several areas of England but, evidently, not in Northumberland. Research by Leeds University found that burning grouse moors degrades peatland habitat, produces climate-altering gases, reduces biodiversity and increases flood risk. It was certainly producing a lot of black smoke this afternoon. But, hey - as long as a few rich people can have the pleasure of shooting some birds...

Home for pancakes, with lemon and sugar.