Sue Woodcock: It's a dog's life, but my cats'll have a go

Thankfully the ducks have not found it yet and I know there is more in the many pools further into the mire. Before long I expect the cats will be giving me loving presents of half-eaten frogs. Now that I have a door to the pantry they have taken up residence in there knowing they will not be joined by the dogs.

When I go round and check the sheep in the fields the two cats accompany me. They are getting quite good at rounding up the sheep but at a critical moment lose their nerve and run off to perch on a nearby wall.

I do wonder what passers by in the lane think when they see me walking with the two cats round my feet, throwing themselves down for a cuddle every three paces. Most shepherds have sheepdogs but I of course have to have cats! Burr and Ban are happy farm cats but also like the luxury of a warm place inside to sleep.

The row about Scargill House is progressing. The people at the community and the committee behind it are very upset that they have unwittingly caused so much strife. It is the last thing they wanted to do.

I have been informed that the "bat man" has done a good survey and the ecological issues are being taken very seriously.

Even the trees on the drive have been examined by our wonderful tree man from the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Hopefully I can dispel any wild rumours about the new plans. The Scargill community wishes to be part of the local village life, not insulated from it. I am sure the matters that cause concerns can be resolved with a bit of good communication.

The other day some walkers got most concerned with two lambs who appeared to be separated from their mother in the lane below my place. They rang the police, who at the time were busy elsewhere doing proper police work. The local officer who knows who to contact, as a good local bobby does, rang to see if they were my sheep. They were not but I said I would sort it.

It was actually a very pleasant walk in lovely spring sunshine. I met several people I knew and some lovely dogs, but no lambs with or without their mother.

There were some ewes and lambs in a field and two lambs who I considered looked very guilty. I searched the area and was able to report back that all was well. I got back in time to watch the Boat Race. I must admit it was a happy hour with wonderful views over the valley and accompanied by the song of skylarks, oyster catchers and other birds.

A friend of mine is longing to see a curlew and came up to my place to see some. They immediately disappeared. As soon as her car went out of sight they flew just overhead, uttering their plaintive cry. They are magnificent birds, so graceful and impressive.

One of my older sheep, called Groat (her mother was Tuppence) always has twins. She is black and because she had been tupped by a Jacob I expected black lambs. I was sort of right, she has had lovely gimmer twins, black and white and one with white spots which is quite unusual. I intend to keep them and will call them Penny and Farthing. The next morning the ground was covered with snow so I went out and put lamb macs on them. Another ewe gave birth to twin tup lambs shortly afterwards, also now in macs to protect them from the cold and wet. The remaining pregnant ewes are stalwartly sitting with their legs crossed refusing to produce until it is the most inconvenient time for me. Sheep are like that, sneaky. I worry when I see them all together. I feel they are planning something.

The new collie Winnie has gone to a loving home with a lady who really needed her, having lost her old one and wanting company. Mary down the road with my friend is recovering well from her operation.

At last daffodils are starting to flower. Their blooms make me very happy. Down in the churchyard are the most exquisite little jonquils, miniature and joyful, spring is definitely here at last.

I have started doing the weekly quiz at the pub in Kettlewell again. On Sunday evening the place is packed. Following my established formula, where I get the opportunity to be very bossy, it went down well and we raised 170 for charity. It raises a few laughs. Each team is asked to select a name which I can read out in public without being prosecuted, and some of them are quite ingenious.

Suddenly the Dales are full of walkers and holidaymakers. One chap I met at the gate asked me why he couldn't cut across my land and why there was a private sign on it. I explained that the mire can be dangerous. When pressed further I commented that I valued my privacy as well.

I feel that way about phone calls also. I have been pestered recently by an insurance company. I have asked, pleaded and told them to stop it, and complained to the Financial Ombudsman. I was furious when I got out of church on Easter Sunday to find yet another text from them. I thought that the most Holy day in the Christian year was not an appropriate time to be touting for business. My reply to them said as much. Meanwhile life goes on and I await more lambs!

CW 10/4/10