We are enjoying the occasional day which makes us think of spring.

Such a day took us through Harrogate over Blubberhouses to Skipton and back via Ilkley, Ben Rydding hockey fields and the Wharfe, within sight of the Cow and Calf rocks to Otley, Harewood, Wetherby, through Wighill, Healaugh and Askham Bryan home.

The clear blue skies presented a wonderful backdrop for the whole day and sharpened the variety of colours. We saw the Menston golf balls just after crossing the A1 and the Kilburn White Horse from about the same spot on our return.

I intended taking my digital camera but forgot and regretted not doing so. Two outstanding sights in Skipton made my disappointment even more acute.

1. A couple of pirate pigeons were scoffing seed on a pet stall, undisturbed by the stall holder.

2. Turning a corner near one of the bridges over the canal alongside the basin, a beautiful scene opened up which I will try to describe.

Looking towards the church, up in the trees high in the area of vision, the water of the canal emerged from under another stone bridge below and mirrored the whole scene with the colourful long boats birthed bow to stern along its banks. We looked down over a stone wall bordering the road outside the Royal Shepherd where we were to enjoy a bowl of home made stew and a hot crispy bread bun.

Turning to our left, the beauty of our surroundings completed the whole panoramic view, framed by old stone houses.

We couldn't help noticing the enormous number of mole hills this year. We saw them on this trip and have seen thick concentrations all over, particularly on the road from Strensall through to the Malton Road. They must present a danger to crops !

Oh, I have a piece of nature which has been puzzling me. We have a good population of birds who entertain us and capture our interest every day. We feed and water them and last year a couple of pigeons produced two young in the maple. One of them palled up with a collared dove, brought up in the same street, and they visit us together as if seeking our approval of their friend.

The other was taken by another member of our feathered community who drops in occasionally and leaves nothing but a pile of feathers; a sparrow hawk.

1. Does he eat everything else including bones, claws and beak ?

2. Does he pluck his prey and take it away to eat ? or

3. Does he take it away to stuff after plucking it ?

The signs of spring are appearing everywhere.

Updated: 15:58 Monday, January 23, 2006