Sue Woodcock: Generous spirit and new-found friends

I pulled up. There seemed to be nobody home but I took them at their word and loaded a rabbit hutch, two rugs, a vegetable rack and a roll of flooring into the back of the car. I thank these kind people for their generosity. All will be well-used.

I drove on and as I approached Tosside noticed the most entertaining series of foxes – of the scarecrow variety – which increased in number as I got to the village and saw the notice about their Fox Festival. Tosside is believed to be an adaptation of Tod Saetr, Norse for "fox high ground". A tod is a fox, hence the festival.

I am from down south so I have an excuse for not knowing a lot of dialect, but I learn a lot from Country Week as well as the folk I meet.

I was early for the talk I was to give so I had a look around. Next to the hall was a delightful garden with roses, clematis and honeysuckle. The views are superb. I could easily see Ingleborough and the Pennines and I paused to revel in the glories of the countryside. I met the friends who had invited me and was shown an amazing video

of America's Got Talent from the 1940s.

Back home, a lovely couple from Cleveland called and bought with them a sack of dog food and, over a brew, I got to know a bit about them and their two mature relatives. It seems I have many friends, those I already know and those I have yet to meet. People are very kind, especially Yorkshire and northern folk. There is something special about this part of the world. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.

I was invited to give a talk at Askwith, where I had never been before. I was using the newly-serviced garage car as mine is still in dock waiting for an engine rebuild. I drove sedately up to Greenhow and then took the Blubberhouses road. A horrid noise from the fan belt caused me to stop in a hurry. The belt was shredding. I rang the garage and limped back in the car to leave it with them and they kindly got me home to pick up the other car I was using.

I still made it in plenty of time for the talk where I spoke to the WI there. As I drove back the sun set was quite spectacular. I got back in time to catch up with the news and walk the dogs round the field before it became quite dark.

I was rung by a friend as I got to work the next morning. She had spotted a sheep with its head stuck in a fence. It wasn't one of mine, it was several miles away and after work I went there and released the lamb from its captivity. It did not seem to have taken much harm and I am sure the farmer didn't mind my doing that.

Another friend from one of the knit, stitch and natters that I attend had offered me a very luxurious and comfy armchair. I wasn't sure if it would fit through the door at my place, but loaded it into the van and with comparative ease got it into my front room. I went out and unloaded the rest of the car and came back to find that the dogs were delighted with it and had taken up residence. I turfed them off and tried it out and woke up half an hour later when Froyle decided to re-occupy it and my lap again.

The clouds have been assembling but so far no real rain. I am not alone in being desperate for some decent rainfall. During the hunt for Raoul Moat, I was worried about my friend, a shepherd up in Northumberland. Having rung her and found she was safe, we then discussed the lack of rain.

I am full of admiration for the police up there. I was at college in that area and know what a massive task they had to face. They are not the ones who cause a problem, nor should every lawful holder of a gun be penalised for the actions of a criminal or mad man.

CW 17/7/10