Sue Woodcock: Decent rainfall but not for too long, please

AT last some decent rainfall. My well is half full and I've been able to do some washing up and washing. The grass is growing again and the ducks are having a wonderful time in the puddles.

I went out one morning and returned with a friend only to find the ducklings, all eleven, had broken out of their run and together we gathered them up to return to their worried mother. With a handful of tiny Muscovy ducklings my friend went all gooey over them and told me it was like handling fluffy liquid jelly.

Freda, my new nanny kid, has become quite adventurous and can be seen prancing on and off things with the other kids. She is about the same size as Edwin the pygmy goat and they chase each other around.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I normally hate shopping, especially in supermarkets. One, I cannot afford to buy anything but the essentials and two, crowds of people make me edgy. I needed to go to a huge supermarket in Ilkley and of course couldn't find what I wanted, so I asked a member of staff. He couldn't have been more charming and helpful as were all the staff. They were so kind that I made a point of telling their manager.

I have been driving round quite a bit and the flowers everywhere are just glorious. On the roadsides there is such a variety, from the delicate blues of wild scabious and speedwell, to the yellows of musk, buttercups and dandelions and the subtle hues of pink campion and the greens of the grasses. It is like an artist's palette for my pleasure.

This is certainly the county to see nature in all its glory. It can be bleak and initially look rather drab, but if you look, often the beauty is in small things. There are a myriad of small moths found in the mire and some of them are so pretty with their delicate lace-like markings. One or two types of spiders down in the mire have brilliantly coloured bodies, almost shocking pink.

I switched the generator on the other afternoon. It worked, but no current came through to the house. I discovered that either the sheep or the goats have taken a fancy to the cable and had pulled out one of the wires from the junction box. I was lucky it was in daylight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The two concerts, one at Hubberholme and the other at Threshfield, went well. I was most flattered to discover that so many people had come from far afield because they had read about it in my diary. One couple liked it so much they came to both! After the Saturday concert we all went to the pub where I work sometimes and the management gave us a light supper which was splendid of them.

At the weekly quiz we welcome a group of archaeologists every year. This was their last week and I was delighted that they were victorious. They are a fascinating and really nice group. I have been academically challenged to include suitable questions for them, especially as one of them is from America.

The reality TV programme to be called The Village is soon to become a fact here in Grassington. I shall be interested to see how it goes. I have precious little time to watch the TV as it is. I do try to keep up with the news as well mainly at night on the world service. It rained on St Swithun's Day and legend has it that it will therefore rain for 40 days. I hope not all the time at least. Now the school holidays are upon us I shall have to go more often to tidy up the playground then I have to gather the sheep and get some off to market soon. Life is pretty hectic. If only I had more time!

CW 24/7/10

Related topics: