Books on the Tyne

Today was the last day of the Newcastle Book Festival and the only day when Julie and I were free to go to any sessions. First we opted to hear Katrina Porteous, Northumberland poet, who gave a reading accompanied by Alice Burn on Northumberland pipes. I loved the poems and the way the poetry and music worked together. See Katrina Porteous and Alice Burn for more. You can hear clips of Katrina reading on her link.

When we emerged from the room in Newcastle Library it was to find the library full to the gunnels with climate change protestors. It was so cold outside that they had come in to keep warm before the march began. We met a few people we know from Greenpeace, Hexham Quakers and others. I had put a 50mm lens on the camera to take photos of the poets, so had a bit of a struggle in the crowd. I've added one to give a flavour of the day.

The marchers set off. Julie commented that a lot of the young people had not yet learned the concept of layers. They looked very cold.

We returned to the library for our second session, hearing 2 poets and a poet turned novelist.

Of course I bought books.......