Wolds Diary: A sunset worth stopping for

The butterflies are abundant in my garden, as are the bees and bumblebees. Unfortunately, there have also been a few wasps around. No sooner have I mown the lawns that they need doing again.

On the Monday, I took the dogs for a walk, early in the morning before it got too hot, and they settled down for the rest of the day, at least that’s what I thought. I took my old dog Fair to the vet for a check-up and she had bloods samples taken to see if she was healthy.

In the evening, I went to a rehearsal for the Pocklington Singers concert on July 6 at the church. We’re singing Brahms Requiem, a challenging but wonderful work. After, as is the habit of some of us, we went for refreshment and a chat to a hostelry, and I got back about 11pm. When I went to check my bedroom, I found I had forgotten to put away a large bag of smoky bacon crisps and a pack of cooked cocktail sausages. Needless to say, there were no edible remains, just shredded packaging.

I spent most of the next day mowing my lawn and weeding, before I headed off to Carlton, to the church hall there to give a second talk to the WI. I arrived early and had a peaceful half hour reading before the ladies arrived. I was asked to judge a little competition, of model dogs that members had brought in. There were some wonderful pieces and it was a difficult task. The talk went very well except for the interruption of local teenagers rushing in, making a noise and rushing out again. This happened last time I was there too. I think my comment was that maybe they needed more homework to do.

I gave into temptation and had a piece of cake with my tea afterwards - delicious - and on the drive back there was a stunning red sunset, which was so beautiful I pulled over for a few minutes to watch it.

Thursday was great. I needed to go to my dentist in Grassington, and a friend had offered to accompany me. As we drove over to the Dales, we went through Knaresborough and then Pateley Bridge. It is a spectacular route even in bad weather, and we could see for miles and miles as we looked over Nidderdale.

In Grassington, we had time to head up to Yarnbury and I showed her where I’d lived. I’d earlier told her of Kilnsey Crag and took her to see it after a cup of tea and a cake at the café there. We went back via Kettlewell and stopped in Conistone, and I showed her the wonderful footpath up to Conistone Dib.

I drove home through Ilkley and the only problem was the almost perpetual traffic jam at Harewood, but as usual there was the sight of a Kyrie of Kites to calm us as we drove slowly in the traffic.