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Journey journal
A Day that was supposed to start between 2 flags and with a quiet handshake with Brathay’s head of fundraising was magnificently gatecrashed by Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Newcastle, who stopped for filming and who later in the morning gave us a great shout out on socials. We also met the Dean of the Cathedral, Lee Batson.
Scott also turned up at The Angel of the North, Sir Antony Gormley’s controversial masterpiece. I love it.
The route took me through Chester Le Street and then to Durham, which was a bit of a wow with graduation ceremonies taking place.
Charis the went to Barnard Castle whist I accidentally ran past Auckland Castle a Bishop’s Palace and a sad miss. Charis’ verdict on Barnard Castle: “The grand ruins of a 12th Century Castle now overtaken by a warren of wild rabbits.” I wonder if those rabbits were the test for Dominic Cummings’ eyes?
There was some really nice trail in the latter stages though the B road to Piercebridge was a terrible choice.
Running to the Roman Fort with Annabel Pickard was a major plus.
‘Where I live’
Chris and Louise, from a pub called The Moors but still known to Spennymoor locals under its old name Salvins. I was lured in by a sign offering a pint of Carlsberg for £2.95 after several near misses with closed down shops. Louise raised an amused eyebrow when I asked her about here regulars who she said were due in mid-afternoon.
Fuel
Pease pudding cold, bought in Durham is bland but traditional. I had it with its old Victorian accompaniments, Pepperami and Doritos.
Venues
Greggs for Stottie – review tomorrow. The Moor, aka, Salvins. Discovering Durham CIC for local produce. Charis bought a bar of lemon and lemon sea salt chocolate, by Noth Chocolate of Newcastle that goes into our hamper of England prize.
Overnight stay
The George, Piercebridge. Its very comfortable, trades in nice ales, good staff and has a classic pub menu. I had the Chicken Parmesan, a hearty cheesy chicken and chips, and Charis has a scampi and chips that was nicely presented and tasted good.
Shopkeeping
With Eldon Square and Metrocentre serving Newcastle there is a clear demand for quality retail. Durham High Street is also thriving. Spennymoor is short of a penny or more from my run through assessment and there are plenty of closed shops in that area.
Rising above everything in thsi region is Greggs, the onetime Newcastle baker now delivering £188 million in profits in 2023.
The Natural World
I liked a river band covered in gunnera, but it is classed as an invasive species so we can’t have that. So, the winner is a rabbit that Charis found at Barnard Castle.
Friends old and new
Annabel Pickard turned up to run the last 3 miles with me into Piercebridge. I met her when participating in the weeklong activity runner event, Uganda Marathon.
The bishop Helen-Ann seemed very friendly, as did Dean Lee. Scott Umpleby from Brathay is always great company. We also met Ted (pictured), who works at Durham Cathedral and had seen me in the media.
Heroes
The bishop -for her social share to her flock on Insta.
Photo of the day
I went through a village called Pity Me and took a sign selfie.
The name? It may be named for the cry of ‘Miserere mei, Deus’, translated as ‘Pity Me, O God’, which monks made as they fled from Viking raiders. Alternatively, it could be a corruption of ‘petit mer’, which is French for ‘little pool’.
Events and Festivals
Wimbledon started today.
Inspiration
Steve, a customer at the George, who raised about £50 for our collecting pot for Brathay. The generosity of the drinkers of Piercebridge was very heartwarming.
