Saturday 6 April 2013

Welcome

A huge welcome to a visitor today - the sun!  And farewell (and good riddance) to that terrible East wind which has been cutting through our Yorkshire Dales all the way from Scandinavia for the last fortnight.

Today the sun is shining, the wind has disappeared and the temperature is 10 degrees Celsius as I write.   Tess and I have just
had a wander round the fields, looking at the sheep - or rather they have been looking at us - and looking for signs of Spring buds (none).   We were accompanied the whole way by the evocative sound of the curlew calling and the lapwing giving his 'peewit' call.

Although it is Saturday afternoon the farmer is busy.   He is spending the day draining away some of the water in the fields.  This morning he dug down to a drain and cleaned it out so that it was running again efficiently.   This afternoon he is laying a new drain in a very wet spot - well he is digging the channel and will then lay the drain in the bottom.   We walked down to have a look at him - Tess more interested in looking for rabbits.

The sheep are getting itchy and if you look round you can see plenty of wool hanging in the bottom branches of the bushes where they have pushed underneath.   It makes everywhere look so messy but of course, if this weather continues there will soon be leaves on the bushes to hide it.   I really do believe that the buds wait, ready to burst, and that two or three days of warm weather bring them out quickly.   The trouble is that the weather is only set to last a couple of days before it turns mild and wet.

This morning was our village's monthly coffee morning and look at what I won in the Treasure Island competition!   This beautiful bowl of fruit, freshly arranged by L, so thanks if you are reading this!  There were not so many people there this morning because it is also the Wensleydale Wander - an annual walk in the Dale organised by our local Round Table - and some villagers had gone on that.   Also it is the Easter holidays from school and that took care of a few more.   But W and I enjoyed it, as usual.   W calls for me in her car as I am unable to drive at the moment - I am very grateful for her help.  And there ae always folk to chat with - and that is what village life is all about isn't it?   Enjoy your weekend.





 


   


10 comments:

Pondside said...

Good morning, Weaver. This post is the first on my sidebar today and a lovely showcase of what went on today in your part of the world - lots of work, a little nature, some fun with friends and a nice surprise win. Sounds like a pretty good Saturday to me!

Heather said...

Lovely to win a basket of fruit - no guilt attached!
I have managed to put in the plants I bought two weeks ago and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on my back today. I pulled up a few weeds while I was out there. I was amazed at how dry the surface soil seems yet just below it is tightly compacted and still very moist.
Our eldest daughter is remarrying next Saturday and if these temperatures continue I might not need a thermal vest under my outfit. Of course, we might all need oilskins!

Loren said...

I envy you your sun as here in the Puget Sound area we're expecting rain and more rain for as far out as they dare forecast here in the rainy regions.

Maybe we get so many ducks and sea birds wintering here because the water just runs off their back and the temperatures are mild.

Cloudia said...

I love you these walks with Tess and Yourself :-)


Aloha

mrsnesbitt said...

Motorbike weather perhaps Pat!

John Going Gently said...

The sun arrived here today too pat..... And we have spent the day in it... It's been lovely.........l lightens the soul does it not?

Joanne Noragon said...

You sky is perfect. So is ours, I suppose, but we have not achieved the temperature yet, or lost the wind. It will happen.

MorningAJ said...

I love to see wool on the hedges and fences. I don't think it looks messy at all.

Arija said...

Sorry to hear about you not driving again, I do hope it clears up soon. What a useful prize to win, good for you.
Your land is sodden and mine is bone dry with even some large trees dieing.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could share your rain and our sunshine?

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you for visiting. The fruit is rapidly disappearing!