Wharfedale Lambs

A  splendid walk in our adjacent valley of Wharfedale this morning and we were very lucky with the weather. Setting off with clear skies it did cloud up but remained fine until we were heading home about lunchtime.
Other problems en route included an unexpected closed road and meeting traffic on a very narrow alternative route which meant backing up. The last obstacle was a big slow vehicle holding everyone up through Bolton Abbey village but this had an advantage of allowing me to take these photos of lambs. They are only the second ones I have seen and as we crawled past I wound down my window and they came running to take a closer look at us over the wall.

Continuing to Barden Bridge we did our 5 mile circuit around Strid woods
accompanied in places by a curious Robin. Returning from the Cavendish Pavilion loo break we followed the ' Hey Diddle Diddle Trail' set up no doubt for the half term. We spotted a Mandarin duck amongst the usual Mallards, there is one pair usually seen breeding around here, and a lady on the rocks in the river with camera trianed on a very busy Dipper.
Snow drops were the only flora but there are already signs of the bluebells and Wild Garlic to come.

As tradition demands we drove back to Bolton Abbey for a morning cream tea which was delicious. Some people found it a bit chilly and availed themselves of the cafe's rugs. (We sit outside for the dogs) For a day in late February I didn't think it was too bad and as we set off back via Skipton, to avoid the hazards encountered on our outward journey, it started to drizzle. Raining and blowing hard now!

Thank you to Wilsden Walker for organising, always fun.

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