a trip to Murrayfield

Sunday saw The Duffs making their annual pilgrimage to Murrayfield. They were accompanied by Chris Smith. After several practices of The Marseillaise on the train, the real thing was rendered easy by the number of French supporters round about. As usual, Rev T took his boots "just in case", but on this occasion was not required for the subs bench. It was a splendid game with 2 tries for each team, but sadly Scotland couldn't win (plus ca change) with France prevailing 17-23. Nevertheless readers will be heartened to learn that the beer in The Last Drop and Half Way House was excellent.

left - Emma & Chris discuss half time team tactics
right - an eager fan leaps (a la Rev T) for the line-out from the sidelines


kilts to the fore on The Esplanade

Trogging on to Blackburn

left - courtesy of Geoff Matthews
right - courtesy of woodentops.org.uk

The Wadsworth Trog is a 20 mile fellrace over Pennine moors near Hebden Bridge. Once a covering of snow and lots of ice is added to the equation, it becomes "challenging" and "fun". In a marvellous poke in the eye to the health and safety brigade, the race went ahead on Saturday despite the adverse underfoot conditions. Despite all the ice on the course, YC only fell over once and managed to enjoy the stunning views over the moors. He finished 36th out of circa 140 runners in 3 hours 37 mins.

YC had been persuaded to enter by John Telfer (a veteran of several Trogs). Sadly John's race was curtailed when he stopped to assist a runner who had sprained an ankle. However John's journey was not entirely wasted. He can now add the qualifications FGP and GFS to his name. In case readers are wondering, FGP = Fox & Goose [pub in Hebden Bridge] Patron and GFS = Good Fellrunning Samaritan - check out the fellrunner's version in Luke's Gospel here.

After the race, YC travelled to Blackburn to see Paul & Topsy Thomasson. YC had run the Wadsworth Trog, and Paul had watched Blackburn Rovers win. So all in all, a minor celebration was called for - and a pleasant evening of chat, food and wine ensued. On Sunday YC attended mass at The Sacred Heart church with Topsy and her aunt Kate - and enjoyed belting out a few hymns.

Now if only Scotland could win a game of rugby, YC's life would be complete.

Sunday on The Town Moor

left - NFR and Heaton Harriers on Cow Hill
right - on the way down

The hills were a little smaller than the Lakeland fare of last week. But the running was probably more difficult - as group leader Phil Green had decreed that it would be " 5 times up Cow Hill hard, then 5 times down hard". So it was YC found himself harking back to his school days - running up and down the hills on The Town Moor.

Later in the day YC found time for some birdwatching. Yesterday's snow buntings were not be seen at Blyth, but purple sandpipers at Seaton Sluice and nuthatches in Holywell Dene made for an enjoyable day.

Wales have just sorted out Ireland in a very entertaining rugby match. Well done the boyos. However guess where Scotland play next...The Millennium Stadium. It could be a long season for the boys in blue.

a winter's day in the lake district

YC spent an enjoyable couple of days in The Lake District. After a jog up to Angle Tarn in the snow on Friday, he re-hydrated with the odd half of ale in The Dog & Gun (Keswick) with John Telfer in the evening. On Saturday he ventured forth with John T and Paul Appleby to blow off the cobwebs with a run around some of the north-western fells. The day was superb - no wind, high clouds, and a few inches of snow above 1,000 feet.

He took the new banner photo (above) from Maiden Moor. Can any reader name the central peak (and indeed any others) in the banner photo? There's no prize but a pint of the necessary might await any correct entries.

Paul - I don't think the summit bar on Ard Crags sells real ale
John - what? Taxi to The Dog & Gun!

left - John & Paul on Dale Head
right - YC on a new hill - High Snockrigg

Three Trumpeters' Waltz

Here's the link
YC is attending a singing class at The Sage. One of the songs the group is tackling is Three Trumpeters' Waltz by Mike Vass. The link is given above - the song is track 10. The vocals kick in after about a minute. It's very canny to listen to when you're sitting at your PC.

What to do on Sunday

It's Sunday, so YC has been:

birdwatching at Cresswell Pond. He walked into the hide, and met Mel & Bruce from his old folk group at The Sage. So when YC was not watching red breasted mergansers, short eared owls and pink-footed geese, he was chewing the fat on the merits of the New Rope String Band's Christmas concert. The general consensus was that they were VG.
to evensong at Holy Saviour's - the sermon majored on Melchizedek (a priest who features in the book of Hebrews) and how Jesus was the ultimate high priest who bridged the gap between God and Man. It turns out that Melchizedek features twice in the Old Testament. A pint awaits any theologically minded reader who can name the two OT references.

slaking the raging evensong thirst - YC rounded off the day with a relaxing pint (or two) of Deuchars in the Tynemouth Lodge whilst tackling The Times Saturday crossword. He is only half way through at the moment. So come back Rev T! Despite a dodgy light blue university education, your assistance is much missed.

New Year celebrations

YC spent New Years Eve in Keswick with friends. As it was NYE, YC deemed it appropriate to see in 2012 with the odd half of beer (how unusual! he hears readers cry). On New Years Day he dispelled any lingering 2011 hangover with the Nine Standards Fell Race. This 8 miler is an out and back route to Nine Standards Rigg from Kirkby Stephen. A torrential downpour passed over an hour before the start, and the race was run in good conditions - if very wet underfoot. It was an enjoyable blast which took YC 1 hours 8 mins. He finished in his customary place about one third of the way down the field. And of course after the race, YC first had his tea...

left - on the way up
right - and on the way down
photos thanks to Stu Stoddart

The next day YC climbed Catbells with the New Years Eve revellers. He then extended the walk with Coz Cummins to take in High Spy, Dale Head, and Hindscarth. It was distinctly chilly on the tops with a dusting of snow/hail, but the views were stunning.


left - Kelvin and Lorna prepare to tackle the North Face of The Eiger/Catbells
right - Coz on Dale Head

And finally, here is a joke for readers to chortle in the New Year, courtesy of Kelvin:
Qu - why did the scarecrow win an award?
Ans - because he was the best in his field.