Reader, she married him

Congratulations to Fiona Duff and Richard Layfield who were married at Holy Saviour's Church, Tynemouth today. The service went with a swing with stirring renditions of 'Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer' and 'Jerusalem'. There was even time for 'The Fields of Athenry' played by Emma on the flute during the signing of the registers. Afterwards the assembled company adjourned to Matfen Hall for a splendid reception followed by a ceilidh. There was some fine dancing to the strains of the Pentland Ceilidh Band including an epic final performance of the Orcadian Strip The Willow.

Fiona & Richard with the ushers and bridesmaids


Pat, Rory, Timothy, George, James, Matthew, Phoebe, Katie


Joe - "is there champagne?"
Grace - "I believe so."
Emma - "excellent, all that playing gives you a thirst."
Anna - "Did I tell you I'm the expert at the Dashing White Sergeant?"

more photos here

The Pennine Way - 21 years on

Your Correspondent walked the whole of the Pennine Way in 1988. He returned for 5 days walking the southern section to see what it was like now. The short answer is: quite different. YC recalls the first few days as being an epic battle against the peat bogs with always an eye on the map to prevent one wandering astray. Now the walk is signposted at every path junction and much of the route is paved. YC appreciates that this stops folk getting lost and prevents erosion. But it rather takes the fun out of the walk, and the flagstones are murder on your feet.

It's also not possible to youth hostel the PW in its entirety anymore. The YHA suffered its own version of Beechings when numerous hostels closed 5 years ago. Furthermore many of those hostels which are open tend to be booked solid by school parties. Thus PW walkers either have to choose the expensive option of B&Bs or carry tents (which adds appreciably to the backpack weight). Perhaps not surprisingly, few people walk the PW in its entirety now. YC met just one person doing the whole lot.

On the plus side, YC chose to backpack with a tent. He wild-camped for 2 nights and stayed on basic campsites for another 2 nights. Total cost - £5. Bargain! Pick of the campsites was May's Aladdin's Cave near Hebden Bridge. It offered free camping to PW walkers. There was a view to Stoodley Pike, a farm shop selling pies, beautiful spring water to drink, and The New Delight pub 10 minutes walk away selling its own locally produced Bridestones ale: fantastic.

wild-camping on Pinhaw Beacon

Kinder Scout summit - the mother of all peat hags

The White House - a welcome lunchtime stop with Theakstons Bitter at £2.40/pint.

those dreaded flagstones

do you recognise this bridge?

hint - here's the motorway that it spans

more photos here

a swimmingly good tale

The schools have just gone back, so right on cue the weather has perked up. Tynemouth beach was sunny (and reasonably warm) today. YC had a couple of dips on The Long Sands, swimming from the Bear's Head to the old swimming pool on each occasion. Bracing!

When swimming in the sea, it is important to keep your calorific content up to scratch. So YC has been training on his favoured diet of beer and pies, as recommended by Alf Tupper (Tough of the Track).

Qu: where would you weigh a pie?
Ans: somewhere over the rainbow.

[sing the song to work out why]

Grisedale Horseshoe

The Grisedale Horseshoe fell race - a mere 10 miles and 5,000 ft of climbing up Catstye Cam, Helvellyn, and St Sunday Crag. Throw is some mist and cloud for good measure, and add a final killer climb over Grisedale Brow to top it all off. YC managed it all in just under 2.5 hours yesterday. He navigated his way through the mist with nae probs, only to take a wrong turning within a mile of the finish. Luckily he didn't go too far wrong and after some bracken-bashing was soon back on course. Here's Team NFR at the finish at Glenridding village hall.


Old Cheviot's report on the NFR website

Round The Island and New Mills

YC has just returned from 12 enjoyable days sailing on The Norfolk Broads. First off was the Round The Island Race on Mimosa with Andy & Lois. Last year's winning feat was not repeated, but we did manage to slake the raging racing thirst with the odd half of Adnams as the weather was particularly hot. An added bonus was sailing the newly restored Sparklet to her mooring at Reedham with Trevor Potter.

After that, there were 8 days sailing with Mr & Mrs Rev T on the fine craft Stella Genesta. Highlights of the trip were a voyage to the head of navigation in Norwich - New Mills - and a tack on Breydon in a stiff 2 reefer.

returning Sparklet to her mooring


Stella Genesta in Train Reach pursued by Henrietta (no bear in sight)


at New Mills

what the well-dressed man wears on Breydon Water. Trinny & Susannah not required (yet).

more photos here:

Round The Island Race

New Mills

Matthew in Tynemouth

Matthew has been staying chez Percy Gardens with Grandpa & Granny Pat this week. When he is not playing in the sea, he has been checking out the crazy golf and inspecting Chris Campbell's model railway. "Brilliant - I got to control the trains!" said Grandpa. He also came along to YC's birthday celebrations (21 again) at Il Forno's restaurant in Tynemouth and proceeded to demolish a bowl of olives, a garlic bread, and a pizza. He is clearly his father's son.

playing Tumbledown. YC needs some practice - he kept losing.


Matthew - that's a smart hat, Grandpa. Do you always wear one?
Grandpa - does the Pope have a balcony?


looking for shrimps and crabs with Granny Pat

Lomonds of Fife Hill Race

YC ventured north to the Duff's (allegedly) old ancestral home of the Kingdom of Fife for this hill race. It took him just under 2 hours to run the 11 miles and 3,100 feet of climbing which included ascents of West Lomond (twice) and East Lomond. It also included a frighteningly steep descent from West Lomond. Some runners went down this on their posteriors. Being a man of refinement (naturally), YC eschewed this method, prefering to stay upright. It didn't seem to make much difference how you came down.

YC is delighted to report that his dodgy hamstring held up well to the strain; but not so delighted to report that his ankle is giving him gyp today. Perhaps he is getting old (readers don't have to comment on that one). Fortunately he can still hobble to the pub in order to slake the raging hillrunner's thirst.


at the start with Dave Johnson and John Telfer

heading for East Lomond. Photo courtesy of Steven Fallon.

more detailed report on Northumberland Fell Runners' website

and a few more photos here