news of Matthew and Marshall

Matthew has been in Tynemouth for a few days. When he wasn't showing Grandpa how to play crazy golf, he was skimming stones into the sea at The Haven and dining out at Il Forno's (pictured above). The restaurant gave us a customer feedback survey which we duly completed. But it hadn't bargained for the extra questions Matthew slipped in. Mathematical ability of restaurant owner? 4! Loveliness of owner's dog. 5!

Over the bank holiday weekend it's been on the damp side in the north-east. Saturday was a wash-out. But this meant YC didn't see a soul on a training run around the Simonside Hills. Today was also on the soggy side. This didn't bother the birds on the Northumberland Coast. YC saw greenshanks at Hauxley, and a spoonbill and sparrowhawk at Cresswell Pond.

Meanwhile spare a thought for Marshall Crawford. He is convalescing after a spell in hospital. His doctor has ordered him to take it easy and not overdo the excitement. Being the dutiful patient, Marshall is restricting himself to just one view of Birtley News per day. Admirable restraint, and YC wishes him all the best.

a weekend on Zephyr

YC has spent last weekend sailing on Zephyr with Mike Ashton. The British summer finally arrived big time, with the weather being more reminiscent of the tropics than the Norfolk Broads. But a good time was had by all, practicing tidal moorings and slaking the raging maritime thirst (which was considerable in the heat). Haunts visited included the Beauchamp, Rockland St Mary, and Reedham Ferry. YC's "ale of choice" goes to Reedham Gold - a light refreshing beer at 3.6% - perfect for those long hot summer days.

left - Mike helming near Cantley
right - Zephyr at Rockland

Howtown Fell Race

YC ran the Howtown Fell Race today. This 14 miler is on the fells to the east of Ullswater. It takes in a circuit of Loadpot Hill, High Raise, Place Fell, and Hallin Fell. As it was a new race, the route is not established yet, and runners opted for different route choices at times. The weather was not too hot, with a cooling breeze keeping the temperature bearable. YC finished 16th out of 57 in 2 hours 40 mins. Afterwards Steph Scott (NFR chairlady) suggested a dip in Ullswater which was very refreshing. Compared to the North Sea, Ullswater was positively warm.

This evening YC has been slaking the Raging Fellrunner's Thirst, before cheering on Mo Farah to double Olympic Gold in the 5,000 metres. YC watched the race at home, but that didn't stop him jumping up and down and cheering Mo on. It was a fantastic win.

left - on Wether Hill. Photo from StuStod on the FRA Forum.
right - at the finish with Geoff, Peter & Steph

Alnwick & Avocets with Maria

Maria Kelly (Ruth & Phil's daughter) is visiting the UK from Mexico. Maria is a keen student of Harry Potter, so a trip to Alnwick Castle was just the ticket today. The tour guide helpfully pointed out where the scenes at Hogwarts (broomsticks, whomping willow etc) were all shot. Afterwards there was the chance for a drive down the coast and some birdwatching at Cresswell Pond. Maria's favourite bird was the avocet - the mating pair now have 3 fledglings.

We kept our eyes peeled for grizzly bears and lions - but didn't see any. You need to go to South Africa for the latter. Susan Miller has been taking some more samples for her lion research - check out the picture below. In more international news, Maria's sister Ana Elena has been to New York where she met with her cousin James Rooke (Janet & John Rooke's son).

left - with Maria at Alnwick Castle
right - Maria & Pat by the Coquet with Warkworth Castle in background

left - James & Ana Elena in New York
right - the lion sleeps tonight (allowing Susan to get her sample)

Richard Taylor RIP

Richard Taylor has died. He was vicar of Holy Saviour's Tynemouth from 1983 - 1991. Richard was academically bright, read classics and theology at Oxford University, and was ordained young at 25. A keen singer, he was a long-standing member of The Priory Singers. He served throughout his ministry as a parish priest, and was generally a good egg caring for his parishioners. At his funeral today his sons recounted a tale from his time in Benwell (tough parish in Newcastle's West End).

Richard was chatting to some workmen in the street outside the vicarage. They had lifted the manhole cover and were seemingly working on the drains. 5 minutes later, Richard was back outside, offering a tray of tea and coffee to the workmen. They gratefully accepted the drinks before getting back to work. The next day Richard received a visit from the local constabulary. The library had been burgled in the night. The workmen had been cutting the alarm wires.

The service concluded today with The Priory Singers performing In Paradisum from Faure's Requeim, which begins:

In paradisum deducant te angeli.
[May the angels lead you into paradise.]

cruising in the leisured style of a bygone age

YC has just returned from an extended northern waters cruise on the fine craft Stella Genesta. As with all good cruise ships, she provided fine food, ale and sailing - all enjoyed in the leisured style of a bygone age. Haunts re-visited included Stalham, Wroxham, and the upper Thurne (several times). Birds seen were hobbies, marsh harriers, and 100 plus avocets on Breydon. Ales tasted were Adnams, Wherry, and Greene King IPA - all of which slaked the raging maritime thirst quite adequately. Other yachts met included Ladybird, Sabrina (Kate & Damien), Force Four, Primrose (Miles and family), and Japonica (Brendan & family).

left - sailing up The Thurne with the Hunter fleet
right - an Old Hand quants out of Stalham

left - all hands on deck as Primrose leaves Thurne Dyke
right - with Primrose and Japonica at Thurne

left - dinghy racing on Hickling Broad
right - sunset at Burgh Castle on the return to the Waveney

Chevy Chase 2012

Every year YC says a prayer for bad weather so that he can put his local knowledge to the test. And every year, the sun duly blazes down. Today YC's prayers were answered, in fact overly so. The overnight downpour had left the course waterlogged and the streams running high. As a result the organisers had to shorten the route which took a beeline from Cheviot Knee to Langley Crags.

The bad weather course was billed as 12 miles. This led to a cavalry charge up the road at the start, more reminiscent of a 10k race. In fact the amended course was 15 miles long and was mostly run in thick mist. More than one runner went astray. Some liked Langley Crags so much that they visited it twice.

YC ran most of the race in company with Graham Walton who was running strongly. This led to conversations such as:
Graham - I'm keeping my heart-rate at only 80%.
YC (heart going 19 to the dozen) - so am I (not).

YC knew the route, and Graham was running well, so between us we managed a decent time and enjoyed the race. YC finished a couple of hundred yards behind Graham in 17th place in 2 hours 17 mins.

Due to the shortened course and early finish, there was even time to slake the raging fellrunner's thirst in The Tynemouth Lodge afterwards. John Telfer, visiting Newcastle, insisted on a trip to sample the fine ales on offer. YC thought it polite to accompany him. Greater love hath no man....