I believe the gale pounding at my window today is called Desmond - that doesn't make it any less wet and windy. The river is overflowing across the fields and the farmers are moving their sheep onto higher ground. Swaledale, North Yorkshire is a beautiful area but at present it is a wild and unwelcoming place. The good news is that I will not be going anywhere (even Hetty the Airedale won't put her nose outside the door) and so I am writing this weekend... and about time too!