Australia Arrival

Sail & Anchor, Fremantle

St Mary's Cathedral, Perth

Your International Correspondent has arrived in Perth, Australia.   It's sunny and spring-like by day, slightly chilly by night.  He has been found time for a visit to Fremantle where he sampled the delights of The Sail & Anchor and Little Creatures microbreweries.  In case any readers are concerned that YIC might be straying from the straight and narrow, he can reassure them that:

• beer is expensive here at 9.50AUD a pint - so YIC's wallet applies plenty of restraint
• he has been to mass to confess his sins at St Mary's Catholic cathedral

It's the first game tonight when the Lions take on the Western Force.  The home side have included a lot of new players, so let's hope the Lions score lots of points.

no wrecks and nobody drownded

YC has just spent the first week of his holiday sailing on the Norfolk Broads on the fine craft Stella Genesta.  Haunts visited included Brundall, Berney, and Breydon Water.  It was an enjoyable cruise with some good sailing.  Stella didn't ago aground once.  There were no wrecks and nobody drownded, in fact nothing to laugh at all (except when Rev T nearly sailed up the leeward bank on a beam wind whilst admiring his flags). 

YC is off to Australia tomorrow.  As John Telfer points out, this is the land of "cold and fizzy lager".  However YC would like to reassure JT that he has contingency plans.  Namely:

1. Jonathan Winterton is taking him on a tour of Gorleston's finest real ale houses this evening.
2. There is good beer in Australia if you look hard enough (and YC will be unstinting in his research).

Watch this space.

sailing down Rockland Dyke

fellrunning and rugby

The weather wasn't great on Saturday.  In fact it was absolutely hosing it down for most of the day.   For those fellrunning, this meant:

Old County Tops - a tough 37 mile day on the fells, with navigation at a premium in freezing conditions.  Paul Myers and Nick Wild braved the elements to notch up another successful completion of the race.

Bob Graham Round - an even tougher 42 Lakeland tops, 70 odd miles, and 30,000 ft of climbing.  John Telfer, ably supported by his family and NFR, made it round in 25.5 hours.  Although he couldn't manage to dip under the magical 24 hours, this was still a magnificent achievement in absolutely appalling weather.  JT had shown his commitment by giving up beer for the past 3 weeks (greater love hath no man).  However readers will be relieved to hear that JT has now had his tea...

YC would have liked to have been present at both events, but his dodgy calf is still giving him gyp.  So fellrunning has been replaced by swimming and cycling.  But there is a bright side.  YC can still drink beer (hurrah) and is off to follow the Lions on their tour of Australia.  This means: 6 weeks off work, unstinting research into the quality of Australian ale, and lots of entertaining rugby.  Readers will, of course, be able to read all about it on Birtley News.  Double hurrah.




The Old Man And The Sea

...is a book by Ernest Hemingway.  It's not, contrary to popular rumours, about the adventures of Rev T or even Old Salt on the foaming deep.  Rather it's about an old fisherman from Havana and the huge fish he catches.  At just under 100 pages, it can be read in almost one sitting.  YC had one false start at reading it.  But on the second attempt thoroughly enjoyed it and read it from cover to cover.

For those looking for some more short classic novels, YC recommends:

• Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote - a cracking short story, but not with the happy ending that appears in the film version.
• The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald - another entertaining read about Jay Gatsby and his pursuit of Daisy.  Read it before you see the forthcoming film.
• The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett - an amusing tale about The Queen taking up reading late in life with the assistance of her amanuensis Norman.  It's worth it just for the line: Her Majesty - "We're going to Wales in a few weeks' time."  Norman - "Bad luck, ma'am". 

Green Wyvern May Day Cruise

May Day!  YC has been down to the Norfolk Broads for a long weekend on the fine craft Stella Genesta.  The weather finally obliged with sunshine and wind.  Stella is 100 years old, so we celebrated in style with a champagne party on the Saturday night.  Not to be outdone, James Duff has been in Singapore and thought it diplomatic to sample the local waters there.

Can any sharp eyed reader identify the location of the new banner photo?

Stella party at Beauchamp

Shruff and Puck at Berney

Singapore Slings

sailing down Long Galley

Michael and Rowena marry

Congratulations to Michael Duff and Rowena Mistry who were married yesterday.  The wedding was at Newton Hall in Northumberland.  It was a splendid occasion, with lots of good company, good food, and good wine (naturally).  As is customary at family do's, the Duff family were out in force with most of the cousins there.  But on this occasion even the massed ranks of the Duffs were outnumbered by the Mistrys.  All in all - it was a grand day.

the new Mr & Mrs Duff

Cathy and Euan, flanked by Ann & David

The Mistrys lead the dancing

and then their partners join in

first cruise of the year

YC spent Easter sailing on the Norfolk Broads.  First off was a week with the Green Wyvern Yacht Club.  YC was on Force Four with Jonathan Winterton and Arthur Wells.  Haunts visited included Somerleyton, Oulton, and Reedham Street (several times).  At times it was blinking freezing (though this didn't stop Arthur wearing his T shirt) with snow showers.  But at least the pubs were warm and welcoming with Adnams Bitter in plentiful supply.  Pip and Dave on Modwena nobly kept the troops entertained by doing bridges, moorings and generally all sailing manoeuvres at full volume.

For the end of the holiday, YC transferred to the fine craft Stella Genesta for a cruise with Mr & Mrs Rev T on the Waveney to Beccles and Oulton.  It was still chilly with a hard frost overnight at Beccles.  But by day it was (slightly) warmer.  Marsh harriers were on view, as was the occasional kingfisher.

Arthur and Jonathan, Green Wyvern seat

sailing up Surlingham Dyke

Stella at St Olaves

Mr & Mrs Rev T on FC1