New Year Special

Happy New Year readers.

Birtley News is back for its annual resume of the year.  It would now be more accurate to call the blog "Braithwaite News", as we've moved to Cumbria.  Crumbs!  Fed up with being locked down in Durham, we've moved lock stock and barrel to Braithwaite (couple of miles west of Keswick).  It's now a 5 minute stroll from our front door to the Coledale Horseshoe and fell runs up Barrow & Outerside.  The house has a fine view of Skiddaw - we're very fortunate to live here.

Your Correspondent has a new job with the VOA (government property agency) and is mainly working from home.  Emma is still doing the same job in Bishop Auckland, but with a fair dollop of home working.  We've applied to change our house's name, and will circulate new address details once that's done.

Away from Cumbria, there's still time for some sailing on the Norfolk Broads on the fine craft Mimosa courtesy of Andy & Lois, a walking holiday in Scotland following Ralph Storer's routes, and running 18 miles at the Two Breweries Race for a free beer at the end.  

For those on Instagram who feel the need for more regular updates, look up Birtley News.

And finally, did you hear about the 2 burglars who stole a battery and a firework?  Police charged the first one, but let the other off.  They don't get any better...

Emma looks out over the NW Highlands

Mimosa moored on The Waveney river

at Traquair House for the Two Breweries Race

view from Rowling End - a fell run now on our doorstep

Christmas Special 2020

Audi! - as the cowboy said when he walked into a German garage.

It's back by popular demand - the Birtley News Christmas special.  No reports of fellracing or sailing this year - strictly off limits.  And no reports of any beer for Old Cheviot (OC) this month - a recent gout attack has put paid to that.  Crumbs!  But despite all this, BN is here to bring you some Christmas cheer.

In the news this year:

OC takes dress down to a new level with a bracing October dip in Hethpool Linn.  Decorum is restored as he sports his recently acquired "Duff buff" - thanks to Rev E for supplying the family tartan buffs and swimmer Barry for suggesting them.

The Lakes became Mr & Mrs OC's summer destination of choice.  The banner photo (also shown below) was our regular route to escape the madding crowd.  Can any sharp-eyed reader identify it?

Windy Gyle in The Cheviots - still as windy as when OC was last there 6 years ago.  With James & co, he enjoyed a wind-blasting along the ridge.

Readers can claim an extra bonus-point if anyone can identify the 2,000 ft hilltop on which the welly boots sit - as seen earlier this month.

Instagram - for more regular updates, follow Birtley News on instagram.

And finally, why are Santa's reindeer allowed to travel on Christmas Eve?  They have herd immunity.

Unto us a son is a born, unto us a child is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders.

So at least that's some cheery news.

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Special 2019

Christmas comes but once a year - which means it's time for - The BN Christmas Special!  Already readers are pausing mid last-minute shop to find out the latest news that really interests them.  Possibly.

In the news this year:

• An Teallach (see banner photo) - climbed again by Old Cheviot (and Mrs OC) in April after a night at the Dundonnell Hotel in NW Scotland.  
• The Dolomites - for some more via ferrata (protected scrambling) in North Italy with Mrs OC and Alison in the summer.  We traveled by train (no flying) which was a great way to get there.
• The Norfolk Broads - wind (and quant) powered on the fine yacht Mimosa (with Andy & Lois) - seen below quanting through Potter Heigham Bridge
• Fellrunning - adopting the retro-chic look of cut-down Ronhills on the fellrunning scene at the Edale Skyline in The Peak District.
• Real ale - walking to The Station House in Durham for a pint of real ale to slake the raging fellrunner's thirst
• Swimming - at King Edward's Bay in Tynemouth, endeavouring to be as hardy as Rev T who swims all year round eschewing such minor matters as a wetsuit (photo withheld on grounds of public decency)
• crosswords - including a rare enjoyable foray into a rainbow-themed offering in yesterday's Guardian
• instagram - for more regular updates, BN is now on instagram with a highly select band of followers (ie not many).  For further details, e-mail OC.

And in case readers think life is absolutely blinking-marvelous all the time, spare a thought for those less fortunate for whom there is 'no room at the inn'.  Alison is volunteering in Greece, helping with the refugee crisis there.  She and a group of friends have started a kitchen offering meals, and are once again raising money for reusuable nappies.

Click here for details of her crowdfunding page.

Happy Christmas one and all.  As Santa says when he's gardening....hoe hoe hoe.

Christmas Special

How does Good King Wenceslas like his pizza?  Deep pan crisp and even.    BN is back by popular demand.  It's the fourth Sunday of Advent (and Christmas Eve).  Today Old Cheviot (OC) and Mrs OC have been to the 8 45 communion service at St John's Church.  OC has been out for a leisurely run at The Woodland Trust site in Durham while Mrs OC has been to the bouldering wall at Langley Moor.  Later today we will split our time between St John's Carol Service and dinner with Emma's son Cameron.  After Christmas, we are off to the Peak District to stay with Mike & Julia (Dark Peak Fell Runners and Wedding Cake Bakers)  and hope to recce a fell race route.

This year, highlights have been:

• Munros - 2 holidays in Scotland, climbing peaks in Kintail (The 5 Sisters and the Forcan Ridge - photos above and below) and Glen Affric/Strathfarrar where we saw a golden eagle
• Dolomites - more via ferrata, with Emma's daughter Alison for company, gradually trying tougher routes and with a couple of overnight stays in rifugios.  Photo below.
• Fellrunning - numerous fellraces for OC including The 2 Breweries near Peebles which we ran together.   The race had free beer at the end - fantastic.
• Sailing - on the Norfolk Broads for OC, on Mimosa with Andy & Lois and on Modwena with sister Emma
• Whatsapp - the Duff family has embraced social media, allowing Rev T to send selfies of himself grimacing despite thinking he was smiling [photo not supplied for the sanity of BN readers]
• Real ale - an ever changing selection at The Station House Durham (a must if you have never been) and Adnams & Wherry in Norfolk
• Cycling & Baking  - Mrs OC has re-discovered her love of Pennine cycling and baking cakes.  If readers hear a sonic boom near Stanhope, it will be Mrs OC descending Crawleyside Bank a toute vitesse.  And if readers wonder why the local shops have run out of coffee - it's simply that it's all in the delicious coffee-cakes that Mrs OC is perfecting.

And finally, what happened to the man who stole an Advent Calendar?  He got 24 days.

That's all folks.  Happy Christmas!

Christmas greetings

Audi! (as the cowboy said when he went into the German garage).  Birtley News is back for a Christmas special by popular demand.  

The time has flown by since OC (Old Cheviot) & Mrs OC tied the knot.  We celebrated our first wedding anniversary in November with a weekend at Threlkeld under the shadows of Blencathra with Mike & Julia (baker of our wedding cake).  

OC is still fellrunning, sailing, and birdwatching.  Fellraces have included the Chevy Chase and Borrowdale.  Sadly Stella Genesta has been sold (a tough but correct decision), but OC intends to keep sailing on the Broads.   The birding ranges from goldfinches on the back garden feeder to a hen harrier at Chevington.  

Holidays have included a fantastic week of walking at Ullapool in May (with a fab day on An Teallach shown below), and 10 days on the via ferrata in the Dolomites in September (pictured above).

Over the Christmas period we will be attending services at St John's Church (where we were married), having the odd beer or two in The Station House micropub (at least OC will be), then heading off to Ullapool YHA with friends for New Year.

And for specific news about Mrs OC - see the post above.

And finally:

What hides in the cupboard at Christmas?  A mince spy.

As Santa says when he's gardening - hoe hoe hoe!

OC & Mrs OC wish all their friends and family a Happy Christmas. 

Birtley News - 18 years on - time to pause

Birtley News has been running in one shape or form for nearly 18 years now.  It started off in print, before moving on to the internet.   YC's life has changed somewhat in the last year - marriage, a move to Durham, other priorities etc.  So this seems a natural time to pause, take a break, and reflect.  BN hasn't necessarily disappeared.  But there will be no more posts for a while.  

But don't despair readers!  YC can still be contacted by e-mail, mobile (on his whizzo i-phone), Royal Mail, and carrier pigeon (possibly).

A week on The Broads with The Green Wyvern

It was a tad windy at times - with Storm Katie making her presence felt in no uncertain times.  For the first 3 days, Stella had 3 reefs in plus the storm jib.  But gradually the weather improved, with blue skies and a  gentle breeze.  Haunts visited included Surlingham Ferry, Beccles, and Oulton Broad.  A kingfisher, barn owl, and numerous marsh harriers were on view.  Plus just the half or two of excellent ale (top marks were awarded to The Adnams at The Waveney, Oulton Broad).

Photos (clockwise from top left) - Stella at North Cove, Puck with 3 reefs at North Cove, Peter & Will on the Waveney leaving Beccles, and the crew of Puck (Andy, Dave, Tim & Theresa).