back on the fells

Dedicated readers have noticed an absence of fellrunning from Birtley News of late. YC has been struggling with an injury (no comments about old age/infirmity please), but managed to get his fellrunning back on track yesterday at the Dufton Show race. This 5 miler heads up Dufton Pike (a foothill of Cross Fell) in the Eden Valley. The day was cool, the clouds were high, and the grassy running good. It took YC about 40 minutes to scamper round the route. Here are 3 folks from NFR (Richard, Paul & Steph). Dufton Pike is in the background.


more on NFR website

steam engines and swimming

Matthew's week has continued to be action packed as he:

• learns how a steam engine works - ably demonstrated by Andrew Walker (see above)
• follows the fortunes of Harry Potter who has just seen off the troll (as read by YC above)
• swims in the North Sea at Kings Edward Bay (brace yourselves readers!)

monopoly & model railways with Matthew

Matthew is back in Tynemouth staying with Grandpa and Granny (more commonly known to readers as Rev & Mrs T). He has brought with him a travelling set of Monopoly with which he is rapidly licking YC into shape. Hands up which readers can remember how many houses make a hotel - YC certainly couldn't recall.

Today Matthew has been to Chris Campbell's house to play on the model railway. The railway is in Chris's attic and provides lot of scope for a "young controller" to keep the trains running on time. When he is not driving the trains, Matthew is reading "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". Harry has just got to Diagon Alley and is about to buy his wand. After that Harry will be able to perform all sorts of magic. As well as freeing snakes in the zoo, Grandpa is hoping that Harry's magic will extend to refilling the wine bottles at Percy Gardens. You never know...

left - a young controller at work on the model railway
right - Chris points out the finer detail to Matthew

the lion darter

So what's going on here? Why is this lion sporting a natty pink accoutrement? Will it one day be strolling down the catwalk (ho ho) in South Africa showing off this latest must-have fashion item? The truth is more prosaic. The dart soon falls out and takes a biopsy (tiny portion of the lion's flesh) with it. The biopsy is then analysed by the researchers who are keeping tabs on the South African lions' health.

Here is a picture of the chief darter at work. Regular readers will recognise her as YC's cousin Susan Miller. She is about to be joined in SA by all of the Miller clan - Alistair & Margaret, Ian, Alison, and Peter plus their families. It should be quite a gathering. Reports that the price of rhubarb crumble has doubled overnight in anticipation of the Miller arrival are probably not true.

Kelly Reunion

Emma Duff has met with cousins Ana-Elena & Clare Kelly. Ana-Elena is Phil & Ruth Kelly's daughter and was visiting Europe from Mexico. She stayed with Emma for a few days and they had a meal with Clare (see pictures below).

Long-time readers of BN might remember that Emma stayed with the Kellys in Mexico a number of years ago on her round the world travels. Emma attended a Spanish language school and brushed up her skills by reading Harry Potter to Ana-Elena in Spanish.

On that note, YC feels obliged to offer readers his Spanish joke:
Qu: What do you call a Spanish fire-crew?
Ans: Jose, and Hose B.


left - Emma, Ana-Elena and Clare

welcome the child

Oliver Smith was baptised at Holy Saviour's Church today. The baptism took place during the family service at which the music group were making their monthly appearance. Holiday commitments had reduced the music group in number to Chris (Oliver's father) on the flute, Julian on the guitar, and YC on the piano. But the music group still knocked out the numbers with aplomb, including "Welcome the child that comes to be blessed" to the tune of Rock-a-bye baby. YC was honoured to be Oliver's godfather. Reports that YC has already signed up Oliver for life membership of Northumberland Fell Runners and CAMRA are thought to be untrue - but you never know...

left - YC, Oliver, Gillian, Chris
right - sartorial style with college ties to the fore: Rev T (Caius), Chris (Selwyn), and YC (St Peter's)

Holy Island Hobbling

left - Castlehead Rocks
right - beach by Emmanuel Head

Old Cheviot's aged limbs are feeling the strain at the moment. So today he went for a wander around Holy Island. He rose early and was on the island by 8 30, just before the causeway shut. This proved to be a good move - as the island was quiet until the hordes arrived when it re-opened. After a quick visit to the church, he strolled up to Emmanuel Head and on to Snipe Point. Wildlife spotted included goosanders in The Harbour, seals surfacing off the east shore, and numerous gannets off Castlehead Rocks.

Afterwards he discovered a birdwatching hide overlooking Holy Island Sands (accessed from the mainland). If any readers are wondering where all the curlews have gone - OC can reveal that they are resident on HI Sands. The curlews were only outnumbered by the seals which bask on a low-tide sandbank - there were hundreds of them.