It's back - by huge popular demand. At least 3 readers have asked when BN will be making its annual appearance. One reader even asked when 'Birtley Times' would be online - BN must be going up in the world.
Time and tide wait for no man. Your Correspondent (YC) now wears varifocals to allow him to read his crossword clues. But on the plus side a new V55 fell running category allowed him some extra hours to complete the Joss Naylor Challenge in September - a mere 48 miles and 16,000 ft of climbing - across the Lake District. He's currently headline news if you want to read all about it on the Joss blog (click here).
The weather looked kindly on us in May as we rediscovered the hills in NW Scotland including Beinn Dearg (Torridon) - a near-vertical ascent, exciting ridge scramble and height of 2,999 ft keep this Corbett very quiet.
Other places visited this year include Berkeley (California) for Emma's eldest's graduation and closer to home the Norfolk Broads for YC.
At home we're endeavouring to do our bit for the environment with the installation of an air source heat pump and new central heating system. YC (ever the forward thinker) was naturally sceptical of such new-fangled technology. But happily Emma saw the potential. The upshot is a toasty house that doesn't cost a fortune to heat and is powered by a renewable electricity tarriff.
YC sang in St John's Keswick Christmas choir for the carol service which included a fun rendition of Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day by John Gardner. A combination of first bass & second tenor suited YC though he was sorely tempted to join in his favourite descant of "O Little Town of Bethlehem". So all together now...
"O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray...
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel."
Happy Christmas!
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| Nearly there - descending Seatallan at the end of the Joss Naylor Challenge; Scafell Pike & Scafell in the distance |
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| Emma enjoys the views from Suilven |
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| In Norfolk sailing on Mimosa with 3 reefs down |
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| A rare foray to Northumberland for the Simonside Cairns Fell Race |