Sue Woodcock: Boo hits the beach and a good friend says farewell

It was Boo's first real outing and she lovingly threw up all over the blanket on the back seat.

Fog dissipated as I climbed gently up to the Yorkshire Wolds. I made one or two unplanned detours but arrived just in time at Sewerby to meet a delightful group of people who made me most welcome. I was treated to one of the best fish and chip lunches I have ever eaten from a newly opened award-winning chippie and was given two sacks of dog food and a sack trolley that they asked if I could use.

Later, in bright sunshine, we walked down the steps to the shore towards Flamborough Head where Boo found out how much fun it is to paddle in the sea. Flocks of oyster catchers, feasting on the shoreline, moved off to let us pass and then went back to their meal.

Boo found a very dead fish about the same size as her and then decided to carry a huge bit of seaweed for some distance until she found a dead crab.

I found some good fossils – unfortunately attached to equally huge rocks. I did find a bit of Whitby jet and a few small bits of amber.

I took the scenic route on the way back and, as I approached the Vale of York, all I could see was a carpet of white fog with ghostly trees protruding above it. The rest of the journey was a strain on the eyes and my patience. Not till I was nearly home did I get out of the fog.

After a day's break I went over to Embsay Methodist Church for a talk where the meal was delicious and the company great. The chapel is very fine and I drove the short distance home well fed and relaxed.

That evening it was up the dale for the Buckden Singers' rehearsal and, on the Friday, I mucked out and re-strawed the little shippon and did some work with the animals.

A good friend of mine, the owner of Brillo's pup, Nelson, was moving back to Orkney where she has friends and where she can be near the sea. She delayed for a week because one of her beloved cats had gone missing in Hebden. If it does turn up, I will arrange to get it to her.

My friend, a bit older than me, is a woman I admire and respect greatly. She doesn't care to drive at night and had to take one cat and two dogs in her car up to Aberdeen to catch the ferry to Kirkwall and then onwards to the outer islands.

I offered to help with the driving and she came to stay with the cat and dogs the night before so we could set off at 3am.

The cat sang lustily for the whole of the 333-mile trip. We made great time and were several hours too early for her ferry. Not only did I see a lot of Scotland but I drove over the Forth Bridge and, a bit later, saw the snow-clad mountains of the Cairngorms and the Grampians.

My friend had insisted on paying for me to fly back to Leeds Bradford, so I had a fascinating afternoon exploring Aberdeen.

I rather like flying and I had the pleasure of sitting next to a charming Norwegian wool merchant and we discussed the wool trade.

As we circled at Leeds Bradford, the lights of the cities were a wondrous display. I was quite mesmerised.

I was met at the airport by our local taxi chap, Gordon, who dropped me off at home. It had been a long day. Friends had been up to let my dogs out, and while I revamped the fires they told me with great exuberance about their day.

When I finally finished the chores at home and got inside, I switched on the telly which promptly went phut and the picture vanished.

My friend rang from Orkney to say she had arrived and all was well. I shall be visiting her next year. I shall miss her and Nelson very much.

She is a retired doctor and a very clever artist and one of my most treasured pictures is one she did of some sheep.

The weather is getting colder and more miserable. At least the house is warm and I have sufficient stores for winter. Snow is on the way but I am ready for it. I hope.

CW 27/11/10