Sue Woodcock: Flashes of lightning add to a dramatic highlight of the week

I went and gave a couple of talks last week. I really enjoyed a lunchtime talk at Steeton at a swish hotel with a delicious meal. The next evening, I returned to Bolton by Bowland, but before I left I was called upon by my neighbour to help with a very difficult lambing. It was not a happy one. The lamb was dead but we managed to pack the ewe off to the vet where she survived a caesarean section and is now recovering.

I looked after their lovely dog until I had to set off when I parked it with their neighbour and got to the village early. I had a delicious meal at the pub there before talking to the Bolton by Bowland Friends and Neighbours and it seemed to go well. My sciatica was still playing up but not quite as badly as it had been.

It is a lovely village and the locals are friendly and social.

We resumed the Buckden Singers’ choir practices after our Easter break and considering how long we had been between practices we seem to have remembered most of it very well. I am not very good at rhythm though and was totally defeated by being asked to click my fingers and sing at the same time.

The next evening was a delight. I went with a couple of friends to see a play The 39 Steps at Amerdale village hall at Arncliffe. It is a small but beautiful village and when the whole place was packed out it was very impressive. It was a sell-out. There were locals, some loyal followers and holidaymakers there and it was brilliant. With a cast of just four, each actor played their part or parts with great skill. It is a long time since I last read the novel, a favourite of mine as a teenager. Their performances at Skipton are already a sell-out and the only seats available are at Addingham on May 21. While they were acting out a scene on a windswept moor the weather decided to join and there was a downpour outside accompanied by lightning. As we drove over, the lightning was bouncing off the hills making a fabulous display all the more spectacular as we drove down the dale where the view is always good.

Everywhere there are lambs. Every field is swarming with them. They are adorable. it is such a pity they have to grow up to be sheep, although some of my sheep have managed to keep their personalities. I have a Wether called Charlie who is very on the ball. He often wanders or canters over just for a cuddle. Each year he gives me a magnificent fleece and I promise to keep him into old age, so he is really a pet as are two little Scottish Blackfaces who unfortunately are already starting to shed their fleeces which I wanted to spin. The lambs in my neighbour’s field are yelling for their mothers and it sounds like mine, so I make sure all my little ones are paired up with their respective mums.

I was missing a few when it was raining and having toured my field found them happily snuggled up in the barn keeping dry and warm. Next time I will look there first!

I went down to the village on Sunday afternoon. In the square and later at the local garage were the Saint Ledger Doncaster Chapter of Harley Davidson Angels. They were a great group of enthusiasts and the unique sound of their bikes bought back happy memories from my motorcycling days. They were polite and gracious. We get some great visitors to the dale who add interest and variety. Many of them return time and again. I think because they quite like us too.

Then off to talk to the over 50s club at Burley-in-Wharfedale. They were a super group and a very responsive audience. Not only did I have a great evening but I learned a lot too. I was talking to a retired pig farmer who imparted some fascinating facts. Then I was chatting to a fellow singer (a bass) and then talked with another chap about fly tying. they were so friendly and I drove home happy and relaxed.