It's been a wet couple of days so the river is high enough now to make fishing a challenge.  This afternoon the precipitation turned to snow which has settled on the fells, but not so far down in the valley.  Fingers crossed as the pastures round about are now full of lambs and cold wet weather is a real challenge to their survival.  

I have not been out and about much this week due to a sever bought of man flu.  This is unusual for me as I seem to mostly avoid the ague when all around me are dropping like flies.

Despite the weather the curlews are now calling almost every morning giving a real lift to the start of the day.  Their call echoing across the valley to the house really adds a wonderful soundtrack to the visual splendour of upper Blessedly.

Once I get shot of this grotty cold the plan is to attend to the stiles down by Stud fold that have waited too long for some running repairs and replacement.  We have some new signs thanks to a member that will go up at the pressure points below the village.  Now that Settle Anglers are no longer issuing day tickets I am slightly concerned that we shall see an increase in speculative fishermen up at Horton keen to try their luck whilst no one is looking.  so a few discretely placed  warning signs should render the usual excuse of ignorance redundant.

Now back to a hot toddy.

Ian