Wolds Diary: Plenty to talk about and the snow was not going to stop me

It meant a drive over to Grassington where I had the tooth filled. Afterwards I popped to the local post office to get my pension and I think I ran into a friend every 10 metres or so. I had a wonderful time chatting and then drove home, in time to take the dogs for a decent walk before tea and then off to my weekly choir rehearsal.

On the Tuesday evening I had been invited to talk to a wonderful group at Sinnington Methodist Chapel, in Ryedale. I wasn’t sure of its exact location so I called in at the splendid pub in the village and they were very helpful. It is obviously where folk go to eat because it was pretty full. I then found the chapel, a charming older building and they were so welcoming. Many had come quite a distance.

We sang two of my favourite hymns and they responded well to my talk. Once it was over I left promising to return and drove home. The weather was pretty bad and the drive home rather taxing.

The conditions were even worse the next morning. I drove over to Otley, a place I’m rather fond of.

Half way there the snow started in earnest. I had left plenty of time because of the forecast and arrived at least half an hour early much to the relief of the organiser at the Bridge Church there.

I had time to meet some of the congregation, including a charming spaniel called Badger. One lady presented me with a bag of ties to add to my store for craft work.

The talk went well and I regretfully declined lunch with them as I needed to get home. The snow had stopped and on lower ground it had disappeared.

On the higher land it shone brilliant white in the sunshine. As I approached Harewood I notice a pair of red kites hunting over a field and pulled over to watch them. They are such magnificent birds.

On top of the huge round straw bales in the fields there was a slight topping of snow, and the hills ahead were covered. I even took a photo; it was such a beautiful scene.

That evening I was off to Driffield to talk again, this time to The Driffield Ladies Club, at a very posh hotel in the main street. They too were a great group. They were only too willing to laugh, either at or with me, I don’t mind which. Many years in the police have left me with some good stories, and also as a shepherd.

On the Thursday afternoon I went to Langtoft, a village I often pass through on my way to Scarborough. The bowling club there was the venue and they were friendly and laughed a lot. I even won a small raffle prize. I love lavender, and selected some lavender soaps and lotions.

Everywhere I went this week to talk, I was flattered at the full houses and that so many had turned out in dreadful weather and conditions. I was quite overwhelmed at their knowledge of me, mainly from reading this column.

I am curious about a place called Danes Graves near Langtoft, and hope to discover more about it, the ladies told me a little but I hope to visit it when the weather is better.

If I hoped Friday would be quiet, I was wrong. I had to catch up on dog walking, housework (not a lot of it) and shopping. There are some weeks when I am very busy and this was one of them.

On Saturday I went over to Bridlington to help campaign for what I believe to be right for the referendum. We were close to the harbour and the seagulls accompanied our conversations with frantic squawks, but they are amazingly beautiful birds if you actually watch them. I found some good things in the charity shops there.

We had a very successful morning and afterwards I took the opportunity of buying a dressed crab and prawns from one of the many fishmongers there. These were so fresh and tasty, as is always the case in a seaside town. I devoured them as soon as I made it home. It was a real treat.