Back in 1941, seventeen, just resigned from the Civil Service, joined the Women's Land Army.

Posted to the Lake District, to a training farm in Newton-in-Cartmel called Hare Hills. A month of very tough discipline, make or break this farm. Each girl chosen to fill a job she’s most suited to.

Escorted for a few days, a long climb up into the hills, to collect the sheep, who were all over the place. The job took ages, these animals jump about and react to any noise or movement. The object to bring them down into the lower pasture, count them, 60 in all, then let them go. Repeat this every morning and evening.

As time went by the job became a pleasure to me. Collect mushrooms for breakfast, and repair the walls after the sheep had knocked them asunder. Into the lower pasture, sit on the bank and count them. To my side came an old Ram, waiting to have his head tickled, we were friends from then on.

Like Life on Mars - teleport over the years to 2008.

This year joined an Art class; it is 70+ years since I was at Manchester Junior Art School. Found I still had the touch! Each week a different type of work. Week 7, Pen and Wash, all new to me. A fellow student lent me a pen, the Tutor ink and brush. The result the above study. What memories came back to me,

A DRY STONE WALL

So many of these I’ve repaired. Made me feel a young girl again, working up in the hills.

Just dreams of course.