The hills are veiled in cloud, the sheep and cows are huddled behind the shelter of the walls, the swallows are hawking flies over the meadows, the lettuce in the garden are looking perky and its RAINING!  A good steady drenching rain that will soak in rather than run straight off, helping to replenish the depleted groundwater and slowly fill the river.  That's of course if it keeps up for the rest of the day which so far it shows every sign of so doing.  It's been at least eight weeks since we last saw rain like this and it's most welcome.

I plan to walk down to Cragghill later to check on the two potential pollution spots at Rowe End and Whit Beck just to see if the rain has brought the sewer to overflow and to see what effect the increased flow is having on the cloudy run off from the quarry.

The forecast is for a return to warm, dry weather towards the weekend so if the river does come up appreciably this will be a good time to do the monthly invertebrate check before the water drops off again.  Hopefully we will get a dry evening on Friday as the annual Terrier and Stick show takes place at the Crown Hotel then.  Kick off is at 6.30pm and this real country event is well worth a visit.  The craftsmanship displayed in the exhibited sticks is incredible, many terrier men and women from all over the north of England will bring their dogs to show and its a good chance for a great crack over a pint catching up on all the latest gossip.

Saturday offers us a slightly more genteel entertainment with the Party in the Park which is an open air blues concert held at the School in aid of school funds. This was a great success last time it was held.  A chance for a pic nic with Pen y Ghent as a backdrop, a licensed bar, live music and no que for the loos.

Ian