It’s been a pleasant week in the Dales for me. I came down to take Dad for a doctor’s appointment on Monday, not knowing for sure when my next locum would begin. I’d been offered October at the PDSA in Middlesbrough, so I wasn’t sure how soon in October it would begin. Happily for me, it starts on Tuesday next week, so I’ve been wandering round Settle, drinking in the peace and beauty.

Th doctor dad saw was a haematologist. On top of various other problems, Dad’s red blood cell count and platelets are low, which means finding energy to move is very difficult. The doctor recommended taking a bone marrow biopsy, with the suggestion he might be able to use the hormone, haemapoetin. It’s a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to work harder, thus hopefully resolving some of the problems. But to do that, he needed to do the biopsy first. O asked him if there was any chance of it being done this week, while I was down. He wasn’t optimistic, but happily, as I drove out of the hospital grounds, Dad got a phone call to say he’d been booked in on Wednesday.

So we went back on Wednesday and Dad let me come into the room for the procedure. He then proudly told the nurse and doctor I was a vet. I must admit, I was very touched by his obvious pride in me. Sometimes I forget what an achievement it was. The doctor was efficient in taking the sample and the nurse that accompanied us was reassuring throughout and I was glad for Dad, that it was done so quickly. Results will take a couple of weeks.

Other than that, I have been enjoying having company. I enjoy locumming and meeting new people, but a week of familiarity and family in between is a lovely contrast. The weather hasn’t been bad either, so Triar and I have been wandering a lot. The first walk, I was following the road, looking over the rooftops, when I passed the gateway that leads to Castleberg Crag and was tempted in. It was a beautiful evening and I thought the sunset might look even better from higher up the hillside. A short, steep walk was made more interesting, when Triar decided he was enjoying himself so much that it was time for zoomies. Still we made it to the flagpole in the still, evening air and it was definitely worth the effort.

I was also engaged by the wonderful sunset between the rooftops and reflecting through the narrow lanes on another evening. The picture at the top of the page was taken on the same day. I think there’s rain streaking from the dark clouds above, through that deep orange glow.

Another evening stroll took us up past the Pinfold (historically used in medieval and later times to impound stray livestock and animals until owners paid a fine to retrieve them) and out into the fields beyond. More wonderful views over Ribblesdale and the town.

Mum and I went for a Country Harvest lunch yesterday. I had a Brie, bacon and cranberry toastie, which was predictably delicious.

And last night, as the evening advanced and the autumn darkness fell over Settle, I took a couple of photos of the buildings under the streetlights as well as a shot of a cosy window display that I found irres. I will leave you with those as well as saying thanks for reading and I hope you have a good week.