Millers in Malawi

YC's cousin Peter Miller and family are in Malawi at the moment. Peter and his wife Alison are doing some voluntary work in the local school and community (including tasks such as looking for missing goats), whilst their children Patrick, Tristan and Natalie have enrolled at the local school for the last few days of term.

You can see some photos and read all about it on their blog here.

a northern waters cruise

10 days on the fine craft Stella Genesta sailing the northern waters of the Norfolk Broads is a good way to relax. No internet, no phone, no e-mails. Just sailing, crosswords, and beer. Old haunts visited included Horsey Mere, West Somerton, and Hunters Yard (3 times - much to Rev T's delight). Wildlife spotted included grey seals in the sea at Horsey, kingfishers on the Ant, and avocets on Breydon. Beers drunk included Adnams Bitter, Woodeforde's Wherry, and Greene King IPA - strictly for medicinal purposes of course.

left - sailing past Hunsett Mill, River Ant
right - White Moth, wherry

Stella moored at Dilham Staithe

Chevy Chase 2011

left - all smiles for Louise, Chris, Katherine and Peter
right - with more from Steph, Paul, John and Scott

runners enjoy the sunshine at the finish

YC was back for his annual crack at The Chevy Chase today. This 20 miler is held at Wooler and heads over Cheviot and Hedgehope. Every year he prays for cloud and rain so he can put his local knowledge to good use. And sure enough, every year the sun beats down and it's a glorious day. Some welcome cloud arrived half way through the race, so this stopped matters getting too hot.

YC had a reasonable run. He felt a bit rough between Cheviot and Hedgehope, but staged a recovery later on and felt strong on the run-in. He ran most of the way in the enjoyable company of Dave Wiseman and Mike Telfer (both NFR).

Eryri (Welsh running club - it's the Welsh name for Snowdon) turned up in force this year. They provided the winner in Matt Roberts with several other of their runners close behind. Sarah Lister from Durham Fell Runners was first lady. NFR was there in force - with probably over 30 runners - and were led home by Gary Jones with Charlie Stead and Phil Sanderson not far behind. Claire and her team at Wooler Running Club did an excellent job as always organising the race.

After all that running, YC is off to Norfolk for some training on beer and sailing on the fine craft Stella Genesta. He's just had his tea...

a weekend down south

Saturday - strolling through Regents Park and sampling the ales on the Euston Road with Emma Duff. Camera membership gave a 10% discount in the Bree Louise pub - fantastic.

Sunday morning - playing the piano at the morning service at St Pauls, Lisson Grove. Emma was joined in the congregation by Lois Gordon (see above). YC played The Blaydon Races at the end of the service and was surprised that quite a few of the congregation knew it.

Sunday afternoon - visiting Katie, Matthew & Phoebe (see above - James had to go to work). While the rest of the country were watching England take on Sri Lanka, the match of the day in Wonersh was YC v Matthew. After a few overs YC rapidly found himself in the Sri Lanka role - with deliveries whizzing past him at top speed and Matthew then scoring a hundred.

Sunday evening - a drink with Marshall Crawford in Holborn (beer at £2.11 a pint) and the West End (more expensive but excellent Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted).

Monday morning - walking along the Regents Canal with Emma to Kings Cross, spotting a grey wagtail and admiring the narrow boats passing through the locks.

Monday afternoon - travelling home for a rest.

those hills...

Well done to John Telfer and Tim Walker who correctly identified the hills in the banner photo. Tim commented that he was entering the "non-running section" as the fellrace clue meant nothing to him. For those who are keen on running, the Borrowdale Fell Race follows the ridge. Both can claim a small drink when next they see YC. In JT's case this will be appropriate, as he usually only drinks halves.

For readers still struggling with the hills, here they are in broad daylight. The are from the left: Great Gable, Green Gable, High Stile range (in distance), Brandreth, and Grey Knotts. In the foreground - Seathwaite Fell and Base Brown. The photo was taken from the Glaramara/Allen Crags ridge. Easy really.

LAMM 2011

left - picture postcard running beside Loch a Choire Mhoir
right - Paul plotting the course off Meall nan Ceapraichean (our Munro for the day)


YC ran the LAMM at the weekend with Paul Hainsworth. The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon is a 2 day event involving an overnight camp and route finding between checkpoints. It was held in NW Scotland near Ullapool and was fantastic. The weather was spot-on and a breeze kept the midges at bay. There was even a bar at the event centre on Friday night selling An Teallach ale from a local microbrewery. 50 pence from each pint went to the mountain rescue team, so YC felt obliged to sample a pint - greater love hath no man...

more detailed account on the NFR website

more photos

back on the fells

YC was back on the fells yesterday after the stress of the Old County Tops. The occasion was the Yetholm Hill Race. This enjoyable 8 miler takes in Staerough Hill and The Curr before returning on the Pennine Way. It's all off road with a grassy run-in (see runners finishing above). Whilst he didn't feel on absolutely top form, readers will be relieved to hear that he made it round without being sick (always a bonus) and enjoyed the race.

Those who require more detail can read Old Cheviot's account on the NFR website here.

Astute readers will have noticed that Birtley News has a new banner photo. Can any reader identify the hills in question and the vantage point from where the photo was taken? A small liquid prize awaits any correct entries. [Hint - a classic Lakeland fellrace winds its way though the hills, and the sun is setting in the west.]