A week on The Broads with The Green Wyvern

It was a tad windy at times - with Storm Katie making her presence felt in no uncertain times.  For the first 3 days, Stella had 3 reefs in plus the storm jib.  But gradually the weather improved, with blue skies and a  gentle breeze.  Haunts visited included Surlingham Ferry, Beccles, and Oulton Broad.  A kingfisher, barn owl, and numerous marsh harriers were on view.  Plus just the half or two of excellent ale (top marks were awarded to The Adnams at The Waveney, Oulton Broad).

Photos (clockwise from top left) - Stella at North Cove, Puck with 3 reefs at North Cove, Peter & Will on the Waveney leaving Beccles, and the crew of Puck (Andy, Dave, Tim & Theresa).

a weekend in the lakes

It was a beautiful sunny spring weekend in the lakes.  Mr & Mrs OC tackled the Causey Pike Fell Race on Saturday.  This steep affair heads straight up the nose of Rowling End/Causey Pike, before hurtling down the side of the hill back to the finish.   After a night of rest and refreshment in Derwentwater Independent Hostel (highly rated) on the shores of Derwentwater, it was round 2 on Sunday. 

OC ran the new Carrock Fell Race (a 5 miler in the fells to the north of Blencathra) whilst Mrs OC meandered along the Pennine Roads by bicycle.  A rendezvous at Rookhope in Weardale outside the Rookhope Inn seemed an appropriate moment for a refreshing pint of Pennine Pale Ale.

OC's quads are now feeling the strain after 2 races.  Mrs OC simply sails serenely on...

Skiddaw from Derwentwater

Carrock Fell Race finish

jigsaw completion

Please sir, can I have some more [jigsaws]?  Mrs OC shows off the completed 1,000 piece Charles Dickens jigsaw.  Next up is a jigsaw of Australia.  Maybe it will contain a picture of the Lions' test rugby victory in 2013.  That's probably a tad unlikely; especially, as Mrs OC points out, as the jigsaw was bought some years ago.  

photo competition

Another training run, another photo competition.   Can any reader name: 1) the hill on which the trig-point sits and 2) the burn in the second photo.   They are both landmarks on a local fell race.  The photos were taken today (Sunday 14th Feb).  A drink of your choice (which must be claimed at the NFR annual dinner) awaits the correct entry drawn out of the hat.

Susan & Vince's wedding

Congratulations to Susan & Vince who were married at Cape Point Winery near Cape Town. Susan Miller is OC's cousin, and has been living and working in South Africa for a number of years now.  There was a full turnout from the Miller clan who came from all points of the globe to be there. Mr & Mrs OC and Mr & Mrs Rev T were the UK family representatives.  

Mr & Mrs OC enjoyed numerous good walks including Table Mountain, Silvermine Nature Reserve, and Fernkloof Nature Reserve in Hermanus.  There was also time to run on the beach, and swim in the Atlantic Ocean (chilly) and the Indian Ocean (rather warmer).  Fortunately OC avoided the fate of the man who drowned in a bowl of muesli - he was pulled under by a strong currant [joke provided for Natalie by special request!]

Below - 3 photos from the wedding, and Mrs OC on Assvoelkop summit in Fernkloof.

A Christmas sunrise swim

As reported in The Guardian.  Click on this link and scroll down to the second photo.

Mr & Mrs Rev T enjoy their customary morning swim.  Don't all rush at once to join them tomorrow!

Christmas round up

Your Correspondent continues his part-time working life, spending time to go fellrunning, sailing, and sampling the odd half or two of real ale (of which the most recently discovered venue is The Station House micropub in Durham - highly recommended).  

"So what's new?" he hears readers cry.  Well something is new:  YC got married.  Crumbs! 

YC has moved to Durham and is now living with his wife Emma (aka Mrs OC), a fellow member of Northumberland Fell Runners.  Birtley News did carry a report for those who missed the big event.  More details available on request.

For those who still have the strength to read on after this news, there's also reports of Emma Duff's priesting, another family wedding, and a picture of James and family skiing.

In the meantime, Happy Advent and Happy Christmas when it comes.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,
And the government shall be upon His shoulder;
And his name shall be called:
Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God,
The Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.