After the seemingly endless months of snow, a blazing hot early May bank holiday seemed a heaven sent reward ay River View Pateley. Children stripped down to swimming costumes and took to our river, and even their shocked screams in the freezing cold water were the sounds of pure delight.
Meanwhile, on the bank, we did battle with a hoard of dandelions. They were the stubborn survivors of extended snows so vicious that half the planted perennials did not last the winter. It took two days to clear them but we did not mind because being outside without freezing was a blessed relief.
Only the sheep tired of the clement weather. Not yet clipped for summer, the flock of mothers with this year's lambs lay panting in the heat. They took tothe arms of our friendly oak tree, who offered her shade from the sun.
