The end result is wonderful, but all my dogs now sport large white patches they didn't have before. They seemed determined to help with the painting, and Tara, my black labrador/whippet cross, looked quite silly with a large white patch on her nose, until I wiped it off.

I have been a regular visitor at the local builders' merchants and the hardware shop. I even have a more level floor in the sitting room, and it has made a terrific difference to the whole house, especially as it is now much cleaner. After the goat had got in a couple of times and ate a lot of food in the kitchen, my brother managed to persuade her not to come near the house, and she avoids him.

In Kettlewell this week there was a sad story. There was a very tame mallard duck, that was rather clever. It used to wander between the two pubs, and ask for food at first the back door, and then the front of each. It wasn't quite clever enough, however, because it used to cross the road to do so. On one of the fine days, it was amusing the many customers sitting outside both pubs, when a car came round the corner, splatted it on the road and drove off.

A horrified audience saw this and rushed to help the poor bird that mercifully died very quickly. The driver appeared quite unconcerned, and the duck will be missed, but I expect another will soon learn its tricks, and also to get out of the way of the traffic.

The Deanery Synod meeting was held at Bolton Abbey this week. I went, together with several others from my parish. After a short service, we got down to business. Among the things raised was how to encourage more visitors to the many beautiful churches found in the deanery. I had not been to Bolton Abbey before and was astounded how lovely it and the surrounding remains are.

As I left to return home, I got a frantic text from my brother to say that two of my dogs had done a bunk, and only one had returned. By this time it was dark, and he had been out looking for it for some time. I drove home rather worried, but upon my arrival the culprit emerged from my bed where she had been hiding! Needless to say it was Brillo, my terrier, who had no intention of moving from where she was very comfortable.

I needed to renew my passport and for various reasons decided to go and
get one. I rang the Identity and Passport Service, and was rather surprised to be told that my nearest office,
in journey time at least,
was Durham.

I duly made an appointment and drove up Wharfedale, into Wensleydale and onto Bedale before joining the A1(M). It was a beautiful drive. Accompanied by a friend, we arrived in Durham in good time.

I picked up the passport and we drove back to the Dales. We were playing a (very good) CD of the Messiah as we came down into Wensleydale and over through Cray to Wharfedale.

At one point we were surrounded by cloud, but as we descended through the spectacular scenery, the light was superb and the music and the beauty took my breath away.

In one of my days off, I heard that the lady chef at work had been involved in a car crash so I was called in to help in the kitchen, so she could get over the shock, which I was glad to do. It meant I was working with a lass who usually works when I do not.

She is in her mid-twenties, and is a competent and capable chef and is also great fun.

It transpires that some time ago her mother and I were in the same production of Orpheus in the Underworld at Settle. It is a great team I work with, and we have a lot of laughs, I really admire the work ethic of so many of the local youngsters. Already I have made friends there, and enjoy what I do, even if I still panic a bit!

At last, we seem to be gifted a few days of reasonable weather, and haymaking is going on everywhere. I may be speaking too soon, but the ground is drying out just a little bit. The recent full moon has been visible, and the moonlight on the hills at night is a tranquil sight. I have hardly needed a torch at night, when I do a last check round. It is getting a bit chilly, but that is September!

We have a wonderful medical centre here in Grassington. I had to visit the dentist here this week, and I had a few fillings done. Last time I went, she very kindly loaned me an article on forensic dentistry, which I found fascinating. To find such a good NHS dentist is a blessing, to have it and the doctor's and the chemist on my doorstep is even better.

I shall probably make use of the information from the article in my next murder mystery book. Meanwhile, the house improvements continue. If I have white paint on my hair, no-one will notice, as it is already white.

I have decided I really don't want to drive into cities too often, I prefer to stick to the countryside I love and am getting to know. I am happier living in a rural community, where I think I actually belong!