The summer blazes on-certainly the best July since 55 BC when Julius Caesar, in a foray north, threw his legions across the River Flumen-known now as the Tweed. The Tweed is one of the most peaceful rivers in the UK and has been since the Romans moved onto Tri Montium abandoning their boats for the long straight Borders Roads, still a feature of our countryside although a later generation added the sudden sharp corners. The Tweed is blessed with a good series of paths except where theLandowners value their privacy which is mostly on the Scottish side. We walked on along the English bank noting that the (highly subsidised) assault on the Japanese Knotweed has begun and also noting that a rash of blanket weed has broken out on the river which will be bad news for 'The world's best Salmon River' if not checked promptish. This is the result of noxious nutrients running off farmers fields into the waterway. This afternoon could have scored highly in the Search for Hush stakes. Not a low flying aircraft anywhere nor was there sign of human existence except for a couple rowing downstream. 'Clemency the General's daughter will return upon the Tide' wrote John Betjeman in Beaulieu Water. Fortunately the couple in question kept going as the lady being oared along disturned the peace with a strident commentary on something-sounded like criticism of SirMorrison's buy one get one free specials but could equally have been a moan about the English fielding in the Lords Test.
