Susan & Vince's wedding

Congratulations to Susan & Vince who were married at Cape Point Winery near Cape Town. Susan Miller is OC's cousin, and has been living and working in South Africa for a number of years now.  There was a full turnout from the Miller clan who came from all points of the globe to be there. Mr & Mrs OC and Mr & Mrs Rev T were the UK family representatives.  

Mr & Mrs OC enjoyed numerous good walks including Table Mountain, Silvermine Nature Reserve, and Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus.  There was also time to run on the beach, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean (chilly) and the Indian Ocean (rather warmer).  Fortunately OC avoided the fate of the man who drowned in a bowl of muesli - he was pulled under by a strong currant [joke provided for Natalie by special request!]

Below - 3 photos from the wedding, and Mrs OC on Assvoelkop summit in Fernkloof.

A Christmas sunrise swim

As reported in The Guardian.  Click on this link and scroll down to the second photo.

Mr & Mrs Rev T enjoy their customary morning swim.  Don't all rush at once to join them tomorrow!

Christmas round up

Your Correspondent continues his part-time working life, spending time to go fellrunning, sailing, and sampling the odd half or two of real ale (of which the most recently discovered venue is The Station House micropub in Durham - highly recommended).  

"So what's new?" he hears readers cry.  Well something is new:  YC got married.  Crumbs! 

YC has moved to Durham and is now living with his wife Emma (aka Mrs OC), a fellow member of Northumberland Fell Runners.  Birtley News did carry a report for those who missed the big event.  More details available on request.

For those who still have the strength to read on after this news, there's also reports of Emma Duff's priesting, another family wedding, and a picture of James and family skiing.

In the meantime, Happy Advent and Happy Christmas when it comes.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,
And the government shall be upon His shoulder;
And his name shall be called:
Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

St Andrews Day Send Off

Nina is off to St Andrews in the new year for a new job.  So she celebrated the event with an impromptu gathering in Percy Gardens.  As there was oat cakes & salmon, single malt whisky, and Deuchars (hurrah!), YC thought it was politic to attend.  And a very good decision that was too, as the occasion was most convivial.  Nina is pictured below with Mrs OC.

Just Married

Mr & Mrs OC with their friends from NFR.  Wedding cake by Julia.  Photo from Steph. Marriage in St John's Church Durham by Nicky.  Reception at The Garden House.  Saturday 7th November - a great day!  

NFR's finest

BN has been a bit quiet recently.  YC has been "a bit busy".  It's the big day tomorrow!

As Mr & Mrs OC met via Northumberland Fell Runners, here's a few photos of NFR's finest. The ladies (including Mrs OC) were taken at the national fell running relays where NFR ladies were 6th V40 team.  The photo of OC's mountain marathon partner Paul Hainsworth was on the recent OMM in Scotland.  Phil Green is pictured on the Simonside Cairns race.  The runner descending Scafell Pike on the Old County Tops is John Telfer.

A wedding, a haircut, and a fellrace (not on the same day)

Congratulations to Michael & Annemarie Walker who were married at St James' Church, Poole on Saturday 26th September.  It was a beautiful day, and several of the guests warmed up for the event with a dip in the English Channel (it's warmer than the North Sea at Tynemouth).  Photos of the happy couple plus the assembled Duff family are shown below.

In other news, Emma Duff is raising sponsorship by shaving her hair.  Her church youth group thought it was a great idea, Emma wasn't so convinced but is now coming round to it.  There's a photo of Emma below (she is wearing the dog collar).  Emma is raising funds for Macmillan and The Vine Cafe, Howdon (click on the links to sponsor her).

In fellrunning news, YC ran in the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay at the weekend for NFR.   The weather was fine with high clouds and a good time was had by all.  NFR was never in danger of troubling the leaders, unlike Dark Peak Vets who finished 14th overall and 1st vets team.  Mike Nolan (buddy of Mrs OC) was running for DP Vets.  Here he is finishing leg 1.