Return to Arkengarthdale

We have been away for a week in Northern Scotland and as we come down-dale from the Tan Hill Pub up on Bowes Moor in late afternoon we see the huge carpet of yellow meadows above Whaw - always an amazing sight at this time of year - even though it's blurred a bit by the light drizzle sweeping the dale.  This isn't the harsh glare of yellow that one gets from vast fields of Rape but it's a warmer, softer golden yellow - altogether kinder to the eye and with us only for a week or two before it fades as taller meadow grasses over-top the buttercups.  Enjoy it whilst its with us.  Then we follow the single track lane below Whaw wood and turn up the steep hill to Low Faggergill Farm, collect our week's post from Laurence & Gladys and drive up to Hill Top Farm.

At Gales Gate a Curlew suddenly rises up out of the thick reshes startled by us & wheels away skimming the drystone walls  - so huge when seen close-by with those elegant curved wings and the long curved beak.  Then again another couple of Curlews start-up as we pass into the Hill Top Farm hay meadows, with the reduced farm traffic at this time of year and us away for a week they have not been disturbed much all week I'm sure. As we unload the car the rippling sound of Curlews song fills the dale - perhaps the most wonderful of all the birdsong in the Dales - yes Scotland was just great but its so good to be back home.