I almost drooled over a couple of the cows and wished I had the funds to buy one of them, but I had to be practical, a Longhorn White Park cross was more than slightly too enormous, magnificent as she was.

That is not to say I came home empty handed, I did agree to buy two Jacob ewes, that are sisters of one I already have, called Abby.

Two of my friends and I set up to give a spinning and knitting demonstration. I started spinning a superb fleece I had promised a friend, but no sooner had I got going then the public started to arrive and several regular readers of this diary introduced themselves. I met some charming people throughout the day.

I did not get a lot of spinning done, but my friends did sell a few things, mainly knitted toy sheep and ducks and chickens. One family bought a toy sheep, but the other child wanted a coloured one, and there were only white ones left. They waited patiently while my friend finished off another coloured one for the little girl, who was delighted.

The next day I sang with our church choir at a cluster service at St Wilfred's at Burnsall. We had five tenors in the choir, almost an embarrassment of riches. The occasion was the retirement of the incumbent vicar, the Rev Charles Knowles. He has ministered his parish, and other churches in the Dale very well and will be sorely missed. Fortunately, he will be living locally so we shall not lose touch with him or his wife. He gave an excellent sermon and as soon as the service finished I dashed off to work, only to find later that he and his family were eating in the restaurant.

My brother and niece have arrived to stay for a few days. He lives and works in West Timor and she in Australia. It is the first time she has visited the Yorkshire Dales and she has been very impressed.

We started our tour by driving up to St Michael's church at Hubberholme. Then we visited Arncliffe, had a look round and indulged in a half pint of beer at the pub there. Then over the tops and on to Malham. As we drove round the back of the tarn, we came up behind a huge flock of sheep being driven by two enthusiastic dogs, the farmer, two very athletic lads, and a woman on a quad. It could not have been more opportune to illustrate farming life to my niece. The sheep stretched as far as we could see as they made their way up the road to
be dipped.

As we passed Malham Cove, to the expected "Wow", the rain came down in bucket loads, so we retreated to a cafe for chocolate and carrot cake, and then back to Grassington via St Michael's church at Linton.

When we got home, she wanted to look round my part of the Mire. I have never known it to be so sodden.

She has just been accepted for medical school in Australia, and I am immensely proud of her.

Her father has decided that one of his missions in life is to clean my barn out, and I am very grateful for it. I had started to do it, but got sidetracked. They are off to Scotland for a look round before calling back to see me.

Meanwhile, I must confess that I love to show off my favourite parts of the Dales and the break in my routine always does me good. I
just wish it would stop raining for a bit.