5:22pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010
By Liz Hird
On Sunday morning I had to go to Kendal and, driving over Fleet Moss and down Howgate, it was a very different world. Even though it was quite a pleasant morning, snow was still blowing across the road off the top of the drifts which still line either side right along the top and round the corner at Cam road end.
Years ago our neighbour Susan used to live at Cam, which is three-and-a-half miles off the road and regarded as one of the most remote farmhouses in Yorkshire.
The other night we were looking at photos of the snow there in 1979 when they were completely snowed in from Boxing Day until just after Easter – Scorpion tanks and helicopters had to bring in provisions for the family and hay and other feed for the sheep.
Driving past Ribblehead, Ingleborough and the distant Penyghent were resplendent in full-length coats of white, right down to their feet, yet Whernside was quite bare on her lower slopes. I wonder why? I made deliveries to Booths and Low Sizergh Barn farm shop, stopped and did a bit of shopping – milk, bread, potatoes, the basics – and then headed for home. A round trip of just over 100 miles. I was back home by about 1pm.
This morning I have just been out to feed the birds and my friend the robin, whose territory is around the plum tree and garden wall, was first in to the titbits; he seems fearless. I have never known a wild bird so bold, ever.
We have a covering of snow again this morning, but the sun is shining and the sky is clear blue, it is just beautiful. David phoned at about 7.30am to say the service bus was stuck at Starbotton as a car had overturned and was on its roof in the middle of the road, but he was a little disappointed to report some 20 minutes later that the car had been pushed aside to let the bus through and they were on their way! The carpet of white hides many things, not least the mess the moles are making and what a mess. Everywhere you go, fields seem to be black with soil heaps. Stuart has already caught about 81 between Yockenthwaite and Raisgill, but judging by the excavation work still going on there are still plenty more. He is going to be busy.
This morning seems to be one of those where nothing seems to run smoothly, one hiccup after another, all of which stop you getting on with what you should be getting on with. In fact, right now I am not sure what job it is I should be doing first, as I seem to have quite a few on my list.
And before I start I need to see the plasterers that are repairing the living room ceiling which came down last year and Hopleys are coming to see if they can sort out a problem with a chimney that looks as though it is going to need lining. Stuart has had to go to the garage, a problem with the Land Rover and....hmm, I think I am just going to go for a walk instead!
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