Ite missa est - on to the next stage Geoff

Geoff Lowson has retired as parish priest of Holy Saviour's Church, Tynemouth.  After 9 years of hard work, he is putting his feet up (possibly) in York, where the next stage on his journey will commence.  He flitted in to Holy Saviours like Bede's sparrow 9 years ago, and now he flits on to whatever life holds.

Geoff preached some extremely thought provoking sermons, to which YC was always glad to lend an ear and dissect afterwards, over a cup of tea or possibly something stronger in The Tynemouth Lodge.  Indeed only tonight Geoff was reflecting on the word "Mass" -  meaning "Go out" from the service.   YC confesses to thinking that the Latin translation was a tad wide of the mark.  But having consulted his favourite dictionary, YC can only say: "Oh ye of little faith!"  The trusty dictionary defines Mass as deriving from Ite missa est - Go it is the dismissal.

what the well dressed walker wears (possibly)

YC thought these photos might give readers a chortle.  They were taken about 10 years ago on in the Lake District.  One was definitely on Barrow on the Coledale Horseshoe.  The other was probably near the summit of Dale Head - though YC is open to suggestions on that one.  Check out the breeches.

on Barrow with Coz & Piers

on Dale Head?  Coz, Alex, YC, Kelvin, Helen, Emma

Hophead Happiness

The Green Wyverns rendezvoused in London this weekend.  On the agenda was a trip to see Electra at The Old Vic, followed by some good real ale.  Electra is not the most cheery of numbers but it was superbly acted with Kristin Scott Thomas in the lead (readers will not be surprised to learn that YC had never heard of her).   Afterwards Hophead Bitter from Dark Star brewery at The Harp, Charing Cross, took the award for the best beer (readers will not be surprised to learn that YC had heard of The Harp).  Indeed, he assured the assembled company that: "It's our favourite pub".   So it must be.

all smiles after a glass (or 2) of Hophead

Green Wyvern tie to the fore

Simonside Cairns Recce & on the Polish/Slovakian Border

YC recce-ed the Simonside Cairns race route with Chris Smith and Paul Hainsworth today.   After days of rain and low cloud, the weather was superb.  Rothbury was shrouded in mist, but we soon emerged from that into a glorious temperature inversion.  With no mist on the tops and almost no wind, conditions were fantastic.  We clocked up 12 miles and 1750 ft of climbing, which was the furthest that Chris has ever run.  And in case readers are wondering - YC has just had his tea.

a foot in both camps - Poland & Slovakia

Foreign news - Mr & Mrs Rev T are visiting James & co in Poland.  They have headed down to the Tatra Mountains for the weekend where they have recce-ed the Polish/Slovakian border at Kasprowy Wierch.  It sits at 1,950 metre.  Rev T commented: "Simonside?  A mere bagatelle.  Try getting to 1,950 metres.  PS I've definitely had my tea!"

on top of Simonside

leaving Spylaw

Remembrance Sunday

When you go home, tell them of us and say

For their tomorrow, we gave our today.

This photo of the ceramic poppies at The Tower of London was brought to you by Katrina.

At St Mary's church in Willington this morning, Emma gave a brief address about her great uncle Gordon Cameron who was killed in WW1.  You can read all about him on this earlier post on Birtley News.

Berwick - back after 32 years

YC had not been to Berwick town centre for many years.  32 to be precise.  He was last there when the Duff family walked up the Northumberland coastline in 1982 and stayed at the Hen and Chickens Hotel.  But from his recent visit, he can recommend:

• the YHA - tip top modern accommodation available at a very reasonable price
• Barrels Ale House - tip top pub selling VG beer, just around the corner from the YHA
• bird life on The Tweed - goosanders and swans on view
• Darts in The Free Trade - watch out Eric Bristow, Nina has been practicing

Elsewhere, there were shelduck, egrets and godwits on view at  Budle Bay, and stonechats and a stoat at Dunstanburgh.  Which just leaves YC to ask:

Can readers tell the difference between a stoat and a weasel?

Of course they can.  Weasels are weasily wecognised, but stoats are stoatily different.

birdwatching in Berwick

"How is it possible to get through this gate in Berwick park?" the pedant asks.

now sadly closed since the Duff family ceased patronage

searching for stoats at Dunstanburgh