Short and sweet this week you will be pleased to hear! We’ve been in Northumberland all week with Adam, Ava and the girls and we’ve had a lot of fun sharing this place with them. The weather wasn’t fantastic but perfectly acceptable – a tiny bit of rain from time to time – I guess that’s why Northumberland is still green while down south everything is burned to a crisp. A bit fresh but, as Alfred Wainwright famously said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
We went “crabbing” in Seahouses, visited both Dunstanburgh and Warkworth castles, walked along several of the magnificent beaches as well as exploring Alnwick and Barter Books. Juju astounded us all by walking all the way from Craster to Dunstanburgh (about 1.5 miles each way) without (too many) complaints. A great few days with them.
They went home on Friday and we are now looking forward to the arrival of some good friends and former neighbours who come on Wednesday. In the meantime, you’ll have to make do with some photos.
Finally, the following popped up on my Facebook feed the other day – a group of intrepid explorers having scaled the peak of Black Mountain on Lake George thirteen years ago on the occasion of my father’s 90th birthday. Astonishing to think we made it without any Sherpas nor oxygen. Amazing!
So, a happy, happy birthday to my father who would have been 103 on Wednesday. Thanks for all the wonderful memories – we think of you every day.
Also, happy birthday to our favourite diplomat, Jordan Ryan, who will turn another year older on Saturday.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg