Wolds Diary: Plenty to talk about and the snow was not going to stop me

It meant a drive over to Grassington where I had the tooth filled. Afterwards I popped to the local post office to get my pension and I think I ran into a friend every 10 metres or so. I had a wonderful time chatting and then drove home, in time to take the dogs for a decent walk before tea and then off to my weekly choir rehearsal.

On the Tuesday evening I had been invited to talk to a wonderful group at Sinnington Methodist Chapel, in Ryedale. I wasn’t sure of its exact location so I called in at the splendid pub in the village and they were very helpful. It is obviously where folk go to eat because it was pretty full. I then found the chapel, a charming older building and they were so welcoming. Many had come quite a distance.

We sang two of my favourite hymns and they responded well to my talk. Once it was over I left promising to return and drove home. The weather was pretty bad and the drive home rather taxing.

The conditions were even worse the next morning. I drove over to Otley, a place I’m rather fond of.

Half way there the snow started in earnest. I had left plenty of time because of the forecast and arrived at least half an hour early much to the relief of the organiser at the Bridge Church there.

I had time to meet some of the congregation, including a charming spaniel called Badger. One lady presented me with a bag of ties to add to my store for craft work.

The talk went well and I regretfully declined lunch with them as I needed to get home. The snow had stopped and on lower ground it had disappeared.

On the higher land it shone brilliant white in the sunshine. As I approached Harewood I notice a pair of red kites hunting over a field and pulled over to watch them. They are such magnificent birds.

On top of the huge round straw bales in the fields there was a slight topping of snow, and the hills ahead were covered. I even took a photo; it was such a beautiful scene.

That evening I was off to Driffield to talk again, this time to The Driffield Ladies Club, at a very posh hotel in the main street. They too were a great group. They were only too willing to laugh, either at or with me, I don’t mind which. Many years in the police have left me with some good stories, and also as a shepherd.