Of trees, sheep and trains!

Even gardeners have to have days out at times so yesterday we spent the day on the North Yorkshire Moors and at Whitby.

As we drove along (I was a passenger so my attention was allowed to wander) I was particularly struck by the number of huge molehills alongside of the road and in fields. Apparently the very cold weather has caused moles to be particularly active as they tunnel deeper to escape from the freezing conditions and in so doing create larger spoil heaps. The size of the molehills reminded me that as a child I imagined moles to be the size of a small bear - courtesy of the illustrations in Wind in the Willows and was amazed when I realised just how small they were.

With the trees denuded of leaves the shapes of the trees are also interesting - especially the really old specimens. Considering the great age of some of these trees it is fascinating to imagine the times they have lived through and the tales they would be able to tell if only they could talk.

The sheep were well equipped to deal with the conditions they must have faced throughout the freezing conditions. Goodness knows how the sheep up on the moors survive searching through the dry grass and heather for enough food to sustain them.

The ones roaming the villages fare better. They make great low maintenance lawn mowers!

One group of people who would have no trouble keeping warm though were the volunteers who work on the North Yorkshire Moors railway. They will have been toasty without the benefit of the sheep's woolly coats.

 To read more about the weather click here