British Fell Relays

YC ran the British Fell Relays for Northumberland Fell Runners yesterday.  He was in the veterans team (yes, you'd be amazed at that - readers are too kind) and ran the last leg.  In the end, it turned out to be a tussle with the NFR open team, with their anchor runner George Nicholson sweeping past YC to bring in the open team as first NFR team.

The event was held near Sedbergh in the Howgill Fells.  It was good grassy running, and the forecast showers only arrived on the last leg (groan).  YC's leg took him just over the hour and his other leg (with dodgy calf) also held up under the strain.

Nearly all the big fellrunning names were there - Rob Hope, Rob Jebb, Steph Scott...  All it needed was John Telfer and the line up would have been complete.

A fuller report from Old Cheviot will appear on the NFR website.

Left - so who was quickest between YC and George?

Answer - YC knows his place.

Photos courtesy of Steph.  A few more photos here.

sushi & football in Krakow

YC was in Krakow at the weekend visiting James and family.  Highlights of the trip were:

• Matthew's birthday meal in a Japanese restaurant.  YC tasted sushi for the first time - cue jokes about it being grim up north, no culture there etc
• Phoebe's prowess at football (scoring lots of goals past YC) and drinking hot chocolate (it vanished at a rate of knots)
• Finding the local real ale bar offering Kinga Vale Bitter (3.8% ABV) at £1.60 per pint

Here are a couple of photos - more to follow.

And finally, a joke from Matthew:
Why can't pirates learn the alphabet?
Because they always get stuck at sea!

Matthew's birthday sushi

Sheraton rooftop bar

Ian Hodgson Relay 2014

with Steph after leg 3

YC was part of the Northumberland Fell Runners team that ran the Ian Hodgson Relay yesterday. This fell relay is held in Patterdale in the Lake District.  The weather was typically Lakeland - low cloud and a bit of rain.  So navigation was at a premium.  YC was on leg 3 with Steph Scott.  This leg starts at the Kirkstone Pass and heads over Red Screes and Dove Crag, before dropping down to Brotherswater for the handover.  We opted for a safety-first steady run with map & compass in hand. So we weren't in any danger of breaking the leg record, but didn't get lost and thoroughly enjoyed the run.  A fuller report will appear on the NFR website.

Borrowdale (winners) blast off

Afterwards, numerous cups of tea were consumed in the tea-tent at the finish.  And of course, when you've had your tea...something stronger awaits.  YC repaired to the Tynemouth Lodge in the evening with Nina L who gave him a debrief on the sermon at Holy Saviour's Church, while suggesting that YC slake the raging fellrunner's thirst with a pint of the necessary.  YC thought it diplomatic to follow orders.

comparing notes with Will and Dexter

In international news, John Telfer is holidaying in San Francisco.  He reports that he has found a soul mate in Mr Samuel Adams - purveyor of fine ales.  He has even found time to watch his beloved QPR on the TV - who are currently doing the decent thing of keeping Newcastle United off the bottom of the table.

Maya arrives, Susan jumps out

YC is delighted to bring you news of:

Maya Amelia - born to Michael & Rowena in London weighing 6 lbs 6 oz.  For the linguists out there - Maya is pronounced "my - a".  Michael reports that Rowena's father purchased some excellent whisky to wet the baby's head.  Euan (Michael's father) thought it his grandfatherly duty to force a glass between his parched lips - and was surprised how much he liked it.

Susan Miller in South Africa - who, when not presenting at a conference into lion genetics, has been on a birdwatching trip with Vince to see gannets and albatrosses, with the added bonus of a couple of southern right whales surfacing next to their boat.  On a separate trip to see penguins, they were so overcome with the moment that they boarded the wrong train home.  It was a special school train going to the middle of nowhere.  Ever resourceful, they jumped out when the train slowed to a crawl through a side station.  All those years riding the Canadian railroads have clearly not gone amiss.

flamingos in South Africa - by Susan

3 cheers for The UK

Scotland has voted against independence, and YC for one views this as very good news indeed.  This is on several fronts:

• economically - it would have been lunacy for Scotland to divorce itself from the powerhouse that is in London.  When North Sea oil starts to dwindle, Scotland would struggle to support itself.
• from the heart - YC is proud to say he is British.  This would have been diminished by Scottish independence. 
• sport - YC supports Scotland at rugby and has done so for years.  But supporting an independent Scotland with Alex Salmond leading the way, would have been a step too far. Also, Team GB could have been deprived of the Scottish men & women who have contributed to recent successes at The Olympic Games and The European Championships.

So three cheers for the UK, and let's move forward as The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

We will remember them

Gordon Stuart Cameron

7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

Killed in action 22nd August 1917.  No known grave, he is commemorated by name at Tyne Cot Memorial, Passchendaele, Belgium

On the 100th anniversary of The First World War, here is a photo and article prepared by Rev T for the display at Holy Saviour's Church.  Gordon Cameron was an older brother of Marjory Cameron [Granny Duff to most family readers]. He was Rev T's uncle and YC's great uncle.

The family have his letters home.  In the last, he says "I am quite well and expect to go in the trenches tonight. We will be going over the top in a day or so, so it is in providence's hands, dear knows if I come through it alright.  Don't look on the black side but I thought it best to warn you".

The next letter received was from his pal: "Dear Mrs Cameron, Just a few lines to express my sorrow, and let you know how Gordon was killed. We went into an attack on Wednesday morning. We got separated but I was told by a chap that saw him. He was wounded twice and died of his wounds. I thought it my duty to write and to let you know as I chummed with Gordon since I have been in the army and he was one of the nicest and best natured chaps I ever met. It cut me up awful much when I heard about it. Well I have explained as much as I know, and please accept the deepest sympathy from me, his chum".

Congratulations to:

Joe & Anna - on the birth of Iris, a sister to Emily.  Both mother and daughter are doing well.  No doubt the father is relaxing at home, possibly with a calming beer...YC looks forward to meeting the newest addition to the Chillingworth family at some point.

Katrina Pescott - who has moved out of the posh end of North Shields into the even posher end of Tynemouth.  Katrina commented: "Some say it's location location location when you buy a new house.  But for me it was neighbours, jokes, and the Birtley News that sealed the deal."

Steph Scott of NFR - who has completed today the UTMB (Ultra Tour de Mount Blanc) in 44 hours and 53 mins.   The race is 168km long and has 9,800 metres of climbing (yes - that is an awfully long way).  Well done Steph - it's a fantastic achievement.