Busking the Border

Today my friends, the Hadrian Singers, the community choir of Haltwhistle, were singing at Greenhead and Gilsland as part of a musical event called Busking the Border. 


I met the other Marjorie for lunch in Greenhead - before which I'd photographed a load of runners taking part in a 69 mile ultramarathon along Hadrian's Wall Trail. They were remarkably cheerful. (See extra image.)

It was raining when the singers arrived, so they crammed into the bar of the Greenhead Hotel to perform their set. There was no light where they were singing so ISO 6400 had to be employed with noise reduction later.

By the time they reached Gilsland it was dry and they sang out of doors. (Down to much lower ISO thank goodness.) It's a joy to listen to them. They put their heart and soul into the singing. Here you see one section of the choir in action. Many images have been binned because of all the wonderful grimaces that people pull when singing!

The other extra is a man and dog. The terrier is staring at a field of sheep and the owner is trying to persuade him to look at the camera. Priceless.

I stopped in Haltwhistle for a few bits and bobs in the shops and met Tony. Next stop was Tony and Marie's house. Her knee is worse than Aggie and she needs a stick to get around the house. Her GP has said it is "just arthritis" and refused to refer her on. Action is required and she is going back to see a different GP tomorrow. We can't lose one of our best walk leaders. (Her knee suddenly gave way with a pop during the last festival.)

Then our dear friends Ian and Margaret walked past and were pulled into the house (nearly literally).  Ian has just been diagnosed with mesothelioma (cancer of lung due to asbestos) and starts chemo next week. It was good to see them both. We are all routing for them.

Quite a busy day then.  Made bean casserole for dinner.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments over the ast few blips and welcome to new followers.