Sue Woodcock: A few drops of rain and everywhere the dale is in bloom

Down in the main part of the mire it looks as though it has been snowing. It’s covered by pure white bog cotton blossom. Delicate and wispy, it won’t last long with the wind but it is rather special.

Then in the woods everywhere there are bluebells carpeting the ground. On a field not too many miles from here there is the bright yellow of orchids in flower. On the wooded banks of the nearby stream a paler splash of yellow indicates the primroses, lush and delicious.

Everything is bursting into bloom and there is such a diversity of colour and undergrowth. Some of it is in miniature but still worth looking at. Even the mosses and lichens come in shades so delicate that they are a wonder.

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Gwendoline, my goat, had a skin problem some time back, leaving her looking rather bald in patches. I treated it and now lush, thick hair growth is appearing and in time she will look lovely again, if that can describe a goat.

She has put on weight and can be seen cavorting across the fields to greet me and behind her come the sheep and lambs, all getting bigger by the day. Opening the back of the car is precarious because I only have to turn my back for a second and the goat is in there inspecting anything she can find.

She knows quite well that she shouldn’t and jumps out as I approach but goats are very curious and she cannot resist it. It is becoming quite a game. She is very old for a goat and a favourite of mine and will stay with me until the end of her days.

I had a busy weekend including another stint on Street Angels in Skipton. Driving back at about 2am I came into the village to see a number of head torches moving towards me, attached to runners and walkers out on what I took to be some sort of night hike. As I drove up the hill they kept coming, dozens of intrepid walkers moving wearily towards the village. All through the night I watched these lights passing down the lane.

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The next morning on my way to church there were still hikers toiling down the road, one hobbling and obviously in some discomfort, declined my offer of a lift the rest of the way. He said he had walked at least 60 miles and was quite determined to finish as were two more further down the lane. It was some sort of organised marathon event and I hope they all enjoyed it, but I think some of them were suffering pretty badly after their heroic efforts.

On my way to the quiz in the evening I took the opportunity of going to the Evensong in the delightful little church of St Mary at Conistone which is en route. I love Evensong and rather appropriately the service was all about shepherds and it struck a chord with me.

My dogs are finally settling down after McWoof’s departure. I still miss him but life is much calmer here now. My sheep are no longer scared to approach the buildings if the dogs are out. Boo studiously ignores them and the other dogs just want to play with each other or beg titbits from passing walkers.

When it is raining or very windy they need little encouragement to come back into the shelter of the house and sit in front of the fire. It is still quite chilly especially with the biting wind. It seems we are having April showers in May. My well is filling up, which is good and the grass is now positively lush. After a few arid weeks life is catching up.

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I love this time of year although for the first time in many years I have been suffering from a mild bout of hay fever. Already bees are appearing, especially the large bumble bees, which amaze me with their ability to fly considering their size. They are gentle creatures of which I am rather fond. I am not so fond of wasps but get very few up at this height. The odd one that does turn up is in grave danger of being eaten by Fair, one of my collies who seems immune to their sting.

I still have no hot water, but that should be remedied soon. The required part for my Rayburn is currently being made. When I have hot water again I shall gratefully do some urgent washing and put the house back in order.