My Bonny Lad

YC has been playing with a small group at folkworks at The Sage on Tuesday night.  Here is a recording of our "party piece" - My Bonny Lad interweaved with the tune Gentle Maiden.  YC is on the piano, and singing in the background.  It's not a musical masterpiece (far from it) and Simon Cowell is unlikely to be waiting in the wings to sign the group up, but YC thought readers might like it.  If you can stick it to the end (4 mins worth), the best bit is the unaccompanied singing in the last minute.  Many thanks are due to our tutor Chloe Jones who has made it a very enjoyable class.

Here is a link to the recording.

Chevy Chase

YC ran the Chevy Chase yesterday.  20 miles from Wooler up Cheviot and Hedgehope was a bit of a shock to the system.  YC last ran this distance about 20 months ago.   The first 3 hours was enjoyable, thought the last 45 minutes were a tad on the tough side. But spurred on by promises from John Telfer of "tea" at the finish, YC gritted his teeth and finished in 3 hours 43 minutes, 26th overall - nae bad for an aged runner with a dodgy calf.

YC ran most of the race in the pleasant company of Graham Walton and Emma Bain.  The former sported a natty Tour de France-type yellow jersey, while the latter could lay claim to the jersey as she won the ladies' race.

Afterwards, when YC had well and truly 'had his tea', readers can probably guess what came next.  More tea?  Wrong, try again.

Photos courtesy of The Prof .

runners climbing Hedgehope

all smiles at the start

Emma, John & Steph at the finish

Revd Emma

Emma Duff was ordained deacon by Bishop Martin at Newcastle Cathedral on Sunday.  About 65 friends and family were at the service.  They were joined by several other folk for a convivial celebration in the Parish Hall - where good food and drink were accompanied by ceilidh dances led by "The Saviour's Ravers" (aka The Music Group past and present).  YC thought it was duty to force the odd pint of Deuchars between his parched lips at the celebration - greater love hath no brother...

It has been a long journey for Emma.  But as the prophet Jeremiah said - "I know the plans I have for you, says The Lord, plans to give you hope and a future".  Those plans will now be brought to fruition in Emma's role as curate in the Willington Team Ministry (an area comprising Battle Hill, Howdon and Willington Quay in North Tyneside).  Step forward the new Rev E!

more photos here

with Lois & Alison

Rev E & Rev T

with Jayne

with Amanda

Windy Gyle photos

A couple of photos from the Windy Gyle Race.  Thanks to Andy Russell who supplied these.

On the left - Phil Green gives the pre-race briefing.  Order number 1 - all elite runners wearing fetching white calf supports must start from the back to give everyone else a chance.

On the right - the descent off Windy Gyle along the border ridge.

Midsummer Sunrise Swim & Windy Gyle Fell Race

The King Edward's Bay Swimmers celebrated midsummer's day with a sunrise swim.  Rising before the lark, they were in the sea at 4 20 am, just as the sun broke the horizon.  The sky was clear to the east, so the swimmers had a superb view of the sun as it began its daily journey.  18 folk enjoyed a swim in calm waters, before an alfresco breakfast on the beach complete with sausages cooked over a brazier.  YC joined in the dip, before heading off to the Windy Gyle Fell Race.  Onwards and upwards!

Postscript - the Windy Gyle fell race was run in almost ideal conditions.  High clouds, warm but not too hot, and dry under foot.  YC took it canny (code for "more fitness needed"), running round steadily paced by Steph Scott, until she disappeared into the distance on the run down The Street.  After 76 mins covering 8 miles and 2,000 ft, YC found himself back at the finish.  After watching the other runners come in, there was just time for a "wild swim" in The Coquet - much warmer than the North Sea.  Many thanks to Team Green (Phil, James & Thomas) and Sue Mitchell who masterminded the race.

sunrise swim

don't drop the sausages Roger!

Mr & Mrs Rev T before their swim

al fresco breakfast

Elite fellrunner spotted at Roman Wall Show Race

Or should that be - aged fellrunner with dodgy calf spotted meandering his way around 4.5 mile race with a few ups and downs, but no major climbs?  YC will leave readers to judge.  Here is the photo.  For the record, YC finished in mid table obscurity in 38 minutes.  Very importantly, he had most definitely had his tea after the race.

hobbling in with no-one to beat - photo courtesy of Andy Russell & Pauline

in other news...

Emma Duff has finished her training course at Queens, Birmingham.  Timothy & Pat went to her passing out service.  Not long till ordination now.

Andrew Walker has graduated from the Open University.  Check out the photos with his brother Tim and sister Gill - only a mere 45 years separate the graduation photos.

Susan Miller has been lion darting in South Africa again, but found time with Vince to take this photo of elephants at a water hole.

Ruth Kelly is organsing an exhibition of Phil Kelly's work.   If you hop on a plane to Mexico tomorrow, you might just make it.

Ruth Walker celebrated her 60th birthday with a northern gathering at The Grand Hotel

before Emma's leaving service

as seen by Susan and Vince

  Click here for Andrew, Tim and Gill graduation photos (PDF)

Phil Kelly exhibition

Ruth Walker's Northern 60th Gathering