Clouds

The Peak District - where I live - is overrun with tourists at holiday times, and the Monsal Trail where I like to cycle or walk is thick with people. But after tea last night I went for a quick spin on my bike and the trail was empty. It was beautiful. I could hear the birds singing, and see the lambs playing in a ruined barn, and on the way home the sky was blue and yellow - towering blue clouds and yellow sun.

I took the picture above on another April evening. I love the colours of clouds. When I saw a review for The Cloud-Spotter's Guide a couple of years ago, I was very excited. The cover is wildly attractive, and it drew me to it in the bookshop. I picked it up eagerly to have a flick through, but nearly all the photographs were in black and white - what a disappointment. I put the book back on the Waterstones table. Don't judge a book by its cover, and that includes mine.