It’s the beginning of the school holidays and suddenly the villages in Swaledale are full of visitors.  Some are day trippers travelling from the North-east, West Yorkshire and further afield to enjoy the countryside. They are the fair-weather visitors, possibly staying long enough for an early pub meal but disappearing before the light fades. Some campers disappear when the rain falls for more than a few hours but families in holiday cottages or bed and breakfast accommodation will remain for a week or more, seeking out indoor amusements until the sun reappears. There are plenty of cyclists in the dale, many using the Swale Trail that stretches from Grinton to Keld, and walkers on the popular routes such as from Muker to Keld and back. Not only is it great to see the businesses busy again after such a long period of very little activity but consequently local outlets are asking me for more books!