St Andrews Day Send Off

Nina is off to St Andrews in the new year for a new job.  So she celebrated the event with an impromptu gathering in Percy Gardens.  As there was oat cakes & salmon, single malt whisky, and Deuchars (hurrah!), YC thought it was politic to attend.  And a very good decision that was too, as the occasion was most convivial.  Nina is pictured below with Mrs OC.

Just Married

Mr & Mrs OC with their friends from NFR.  Wedding cake by Julia.  Photo from Steph. Marriage in St John's Church Durham by Nicky.  Reception at The Garden House.  Saturday 7th November - a great day!  

NFR's finest

BN has been a bit quiet recently.  YC has been "a bit busy".  It's the big day tomorrow!

As Mr & Mrs OC met via Northumberland Fell Runners, here's a few photos of NFR's finest. The ladies (including Mrs OC) were taken at the national fell running relays where NFR ladies were 6th V40 team.  The photo of OC's mountain marathon partner Paul Hainsworth was on the recent OMM in Scotland.  Phil Green is pictured on the Simonside Cairns race.  The runner descending Scafell Pike on the Old County Tops is John Telfer.

A wedding, a haircut, and a fellrace (not on the same day)

Congratulations to Michael & Annemarie Walker who were married at St James' Church, Poole on Saturday 26th September.  It was a beautiful day, and several of the guests warmed up for the event with a dip in the English Channel (it's warmer than the North Sea at Tynemouth).  Photos of the happy couple plus the assembled Duff family are shown below.

In other news, Emma Duff is raising sponsorship by shaving her hair.  Her church youth group thought it was a great idea, Emma wasn't so convinced but is now coming round to it.  There's a photo of Emma below (she is wearing the dog collar).  Emma is raising funds for Macmillan and The Vine Cafe, Howdon (click on the links to sponsor her).

In fellrunning news, YC ran in the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay at the weekend for NFR.   The weather was fine with high clouds and a good time was had by all.  NFR was never in danger of troubling the leaders, unlike Dark Peak Vets who finished 14th overall and 1st vets team.  Mike Nolan (buddy of Mrs OC) was running for DP Vets.  Here he is finishing leg 1.

Thropton Show and a sofa to relax on

YC ran the Thropton Show on Saturday.   This 6.5 miler heads up and down Simonside and was a counter in the NFR championship races.  It was a warm day under blue skies.  YC hung on to Phil Green's coat-tails on the climb, which was a wise move as Phil knew the way through the trees.  On the return leg, YC managed to pull clear on the steep descent off the crags, and finished in 19th place overall.  Roll on the next leg of the NFR champs - The Tour of Pendle in November.  

Back in Durham, YC's old sofa has made it into the back room courtesy of Tynemouth Handmade Furniture (Chris Smith's business whose van the sofa neatly fitted into).  It's perfect for watching the birdlife on the feeders in the back garden.  Visitors to date include nuthatches, bullfinches, and blue tits.

snazzy pyjamas!

Weasdale Horseshoe

YC ran the Weasdale Horseshoe yesterday.  This 8.5 mile fell race is in the Howgills near Kirkby Stephen.  It's a beautiful grassy route that heads over the tops of Hooksey, Randy Gill Top and Green Bell, and packs in 2,000 ft of climbing.  The forecast rain did not arrive, and conditions were good with just a small amount of cloud on the tops.  YC made it round in 1 hour 14 mins to finish 17th out of 55 runners, and felt strong throughout.  He is clearly improving under the good influence of his new training coach (Mrs OC).

up the hill on the right, down the hill on the left....

a number to please all fans of Stella Genesta

Taxi to Poland, via The Broads!

YC has been sailing with Chris & Toby Smith on the fine craft Stella Genesta.   On a 3 day visit, they sailed around Oulton Broad and had a trip to Burgh St Peter.  Much fun was had by all, with Toby even finding time to fall in from the pontoons in Somerleyton marina once the boat was safely moored.    Here's a picture of Toby at the helm sailing down Oulton Dyke.

Over in Poland, James & co have been on a river taxi on the Wisla river.  Health and safety hasn't made it over there yet, so the children were let loose behind the wheel.  Here's Matthew charge taking charge.