New Year Special

Happy New Year readers.

Birtley News is back for its annual resume of the year.  It would now be more accurate to call the blog "Braithwaite News", as we've moved to Cumbria.  Crumbs!  Fed up with being locked down in Durham, we've moved lock stock and barrel to Braithwaite (couple of miles west of Keswick).  It's now a 5 minute stroll from our front door to the Coledale Horseshoe and fell runs up Barrow & Outerside.  The house has a fine view of Skiddaw - we're very fortunate to live here.

Your Correspondent has a new job with the VOA (government property agency) and is mainly working from home.  Emma is still doing the same job in Bishop Auckland, but with a fair dollop of home working.  We've applied to change our house's name, and will circulate new address details once that's done.

Away from Cumbria, there's still time for some sailing on the Norfolk Broads on the fine craft Mimosa courtesy of Andy & Lois, a walking holiday in Scotland following Ralph Storer's routes, and running 18 miles at the Two Breweries Race for a free beer at the end.  

For those on Instagram who feel the need for more regular updates, look up Birtley News.

And finally, did you hear about the 2 burglars who stole a battery and a firework?  Police charged the first one, but let the other off.  They don't get any better...

Emma looks out over the NW Highlands

Mimosa moored on The Waveney river

at Traquair House for the Two Breweries Race

view from Rowling End - a fell run now on our doorstep