We decided to visit Upleatham and neighbouring Patterson's Bank round barrows near Middlesbrough this evening...smoke over the wood as we approached. A fire engine near the car park and another at the start of the path into the wood. Climbing up to Patterson's it turned out it was these days a favourite place for scrambler bikes, deep ruts biting into the corestone. Then to it's neighbour: the fire had burnt a wide area right up the hillside to its base and it still smouldered despite fire crews efforts. The smoke still hung heavy in the air. Returning to the car park three lads who we'd seen up there were by their VW Golfs chugging away on their fags, looking pleased with themselves. Pix on TMA to follow. Not in mood tonight : (