Nathaniel at Alnwick RFC

I had a great night’s sleep after a lovely evening with Lynn and Gavin. She cooked a Persian meal which was really delicious. She’s a fabulous cook. I can see I’ll have to be making a detour to Ponteland or Hexham to access Waitrose! We had such a stimulating time - books, politics, family (her daughter in law is expecting triplets!) gardening, walking.

We were on the move to get over to Alnwick to see Nathaniel playing rugby. He runs around a lot but maybe it’s not his thing! It was nice to have a chat to #3 daughter while watching. She was saying that the northern private schools had needed another under 10 team for a tournament. None of the local state junior schools do rugby but one had pupils who take part in the Sunday leagues, (the ones our lot go to) run by the parents, so they went. They won all the games, beating all the posh private schools. Hurrah!

Mr C dropped me at Debdon road end and I walked the 4 miles home. A couple with a walking guide book containing a sketch map asked for directions back to Rothbury. It’s becoming very busy with tourists. It made me think of a friend who took a tea towel with a map on it up a Lake District peak and got it out to ask serious-looking walkers for directions. He was having a laugh - he guided Mr C on Mont Blanc!