Monday, August 4, 2003

Greetings,

This weekend had fantastic weather for the North. Temperatures in the low to mid 70's, light breeze, cumulus clouds interspersed with azure sky you only get in more northern latitudes.

Saturday morning after breakfast, Kerith and I along with Simon Harrison and Ralph Sutcliffe drove up to the fluorite factory at the Drift. Looked at minerals for a while then drove on up to the Rogerley mine and took a tour. We were out before Byron started up the hydraulic unit and began his day of sawing. It took longer to get into the plastic suits than it did to tour the mine, especially when Simon and Ralph started horsing around and snapping suspenders -- when tight they can inflict a startling amount 'snap'. Afterwards we had lunch at the tea room at the Durham Dales Center and back to Burnbrae. Simon and Ralph both left about mid-afternoon and we being tired we both took a nap and went to bed early.

Sunday, we started slow, we went up to The Drift about 9:45 a.m. to pick up Jonina to go and see the Gateshead Flower Show; Byron opted to go back up to the mine and do some more sawing. It could not have been a more perfect day and we arrived at the site about 10:40 a.m. It was early for most of the English but perhaps 300 die-hard garden enthusiasts were parked there ahead of us. After paying the parking and entry fees we were astounded to see the size of this, seven or eight huge tents and many outdoor vendors of garden supplies, crafts and, of course, food. You could get the famous Yankee Doodle Donut, Medieval Hog Roast, cold raised pork pies and a number of vendors of chocolates and fudge etc. One had some 3" diameter sized jawbreakers which here are called 'giant gobstoppers'. I'm not sure we saw it all but we had a great time and saw some unbelievable flowers and arrangements.

We left about 1:45 p.m. just as most people were arriving for the final afternoon. We took the long way home through Hexham. Stopped there and walked around this picturesque medieval town, toured the 7th century abbey and had tea and cake. We drove back home via Allenheads and Allendale and delivered Jonina to The Drift about 5:30 in the afternoon. Byron was still up at the mine sawing away.

This morning, Monday, Kerith and I pack to leave for Scotland and the Castle Douglas area for three days. That's all from here.

Best Regards,

Cal & Kerith

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