T T T at Murrayfield

Timothy's Tynemouth Tours  (TTT) led a very successful trip to Murrayfield today.  YC, Emma and Chris Smith were very happy to be escorted to an exciting game of rugby.  Scotland's form has not been the best of late.  But with a recent victory over Italy, and Ireland's loss to England, hopes were high for Scotland to notch a second win in the Six Nations.  This looked unlikely in the first half.  Ireland dominated possession, with inside centre Luke Marshall making several impressive breaks.  Scotland also had a man sin binned.   Ireland were leading 3-0 at halftime, and scored a try through Craig Gilroy at the start of the second half to make it 8-0. 

At this point Scotland's chances looked poor.  Rev T was even lacing up his boots in anticipation of a call-up to the Scottish bench.  In the end his services were not required and Scotland managed to get themselves back into the game.  Greg Laidlaw kicked 4 unanswered penalties, while Ireland missed kicks at goal and generally fluffed their lines.  There was a nail-biting last 5 minutes while Ireland were encamped on the Scottish line.  But Scotland hung on to notch up a 12-8 victory.

Over a de-briefing pint of Bellhaven IPA in The White Hart (Grassmarket), Rev T rapidly entered eulogise mode, declaring that "it had been a great day", "he could die a happy man", and generally leaning on unsuspecting members of the public to join TTT. 

TTT next venture north in 2 weeks time to see Scotland take on Wales.  Don't all rush at once.

Burns Birdwatching

On a breezy Sunday when all the snow had finally cleared, YC headed up the coast to check out the local birdlife.  At Cresswell Pond (the view from the hide is shown on the left), a long tailed duck, snipe, and several red breasted mergansers were on view.  Further north at Druridge Pools, there were wigeon, teal, and a splendid male pintail duck (click here for RSPB picture).

It was still on the nippy side, but at least all the fresh air helped to blow away the cobwebs from a Burns Supper courtesy of Mr & Mrs Rev T.  The haggis was accompanied with a Strathisla malt (a Christmas present from James), and very fine it was too.

Lakeland running

YC was running in the Lake District this weekend.  The weather was distinctly chilly as readers can see from this photo taken from Lonscale Fell looking north towards Great Calva.   All that exercise called for some slaking of the raging fellrunner's thirst.  John Telfer and Paul Hainsworth insisted that YC partake of some refreshment in Keswick, and he thought it churlish to refuse.  For the record, the Landlord's Choice (3.6% ABV) in The Dog and Gun was superb, as was the Jennings Bitter (3.5% ABV) in The George.

On Saturday YC enjoyed a scamper round the fells.  Can any reader guess where he was?  Check out the photo competition on the NFR website.

New Year Quiz (now with answer)

YC saw out the old year with an excellent concert by the New Rope String Band at The Sage, followed by dinner at the Percy Gardens HQ.  Rev T had rolled out the Mexican flag for Ana Elena Kelly - see below.  YC saw in the New Year with an uphill only 3 mile fellrace at Rothbury.  His supporting cast at the race was Rev T.  Despite being assured of victory in his age class, Rev T declined to enter the race and nobly left others to claim the glory.

For a new year quiz, can any reader name the 4 family members in the photo on the right below?  Hint - the photo was supplied by Ana Elena; it was taken about 50 years ago in Wales; and the girl on the right is not a family member.

Answer - the family members are from the left Tim Walker, Steven Palframan, Liz Shipway (nee Palframan) and Phil Kelly (Ana Elena's father).

with the Mexican flag on New Years Eve

name the family members

a grand day in the lakes (but don't mention the tea bags)

YC ventured over to the Lake District with some folk from Northumberland Fell Runners for a day in the hills.  The long-range forecast of sunshine had proved to be as reliable as Newcastle United's recent form, with the reality being heavy rain and wind.  We parked at Mardale Head at Haweswater, having negotiated lanes flooded by the overnight rain.

Our leader was John Telfer who took us on a 16 mile route over Harter Fell and Shipman Knotts to Kentmere, then back via the Ill Bell ridge to High Street.  There was a terrific hail storm on top of Froswick that tested the mettle of even the hardiest fellrunners.  But spurred on by Steph Scott (illustrious winner of the Howtown Fell Race no less), we pressed on and descended via Riggindale.  Here we eventually popped out of the cloud and could enjoy the view down Haweswater.

We finished as we had started - in the pouring rain at Mardale Head.  This necessitated a quick change into dry clothes (outdoor designer gear for some of the party, Ron Hills for YC), and then tea and scones at the Haweswater Hotel where the following conversation ensued:

JT - ah tea, perfect for slaking the raging fellrunner's thirst.

YC - before possibly something stronger?

Victor Meldrew (aka Paul H) - never mind that, there's only 2 tea bags in this pot of tea!  Call this a proper brew?  I've had stronger brews out of lakeland streams!

All of which the assembled company found highly amusing.

Steph suggests to JT how many tea bags make a good brew

NFR in Kentmere - Paul H, Dexter, JT, Paul A (obscured), Steph, David

  

Ana Elena in Tynemouth

Ana Elena Kelly is visiting Tynemouth for Christmas and staying with Emma.  She is Ruth & Phil Kelly's elder daughter and is studying at Toulouse university.  It's a long way home to Mexico for Christmas, so Tynemouth is the "must-see" holiday destination instead.  The weather isn't quite living up to the holiday billing yet - south easterly gales and pouring rain has been the norm for the past couple of days - but you can't have everything.  Keen family historians will no doubt have worked out that Phil Kelly was Pat Duff (nee Walker)'s first cousin, so Ana Elena is YC's second cousin.

Over dinner at the Percy Gardens HQ, there was a chance to catch up on family news with Mr & Mrs Rev T.   There was even time for some early Christmas present opening (as the aged P's are off to Wonersh for Christmas).  So on that note, it's probably now permissible for YC to wish all readers a very "Happy Christmas".

Dinner at the Percy Gardens HQ

opening early Christmas presents with Emma

YC warmed up for the fesitive period with the Simonside Cairns race.  John Telfer couldn't make it due to "man flu" - possibly brought on by the prospect of supporting QPR over the festive period.  Photo by John Allen.

Birtley News resume

For readers who haven't been dipping into Birtley News on a regular basis (surely not?), here is a resume of what you have been missing:

• Advent Greetings

• fellrunning at the man or mouse competition and in the Howgills

• family news - Aunty Dulcie in Tynemouth ; Grace and Skye drop by; Matthew visits in the summer;  and James gets in the swim

• wedding bells - James and Caroline marry and Michael and Rowena are engaged

And there's lots more besides.  Happy Advent!

The Tynemouth Duffs with Matthew at Il Fornos