Fiona and I walked around a blowing blustery Durham City under blue skies with deep dark grey cumulus clouds swooping in to rain strong showers. Lovely coloured hints of autumn matched   our happy glow . Hiking happiness the best experience of all in our 26 year long marriage. A frappuccino at Starbucks lasted long enough to avoid going to the Vintage shop with the clothes deprived imaginations of Fiona. The City was quiet and the Cathedral sombre under a massive cumulus cloud . Our prayers in the Prayer Chapel raised the glow to a bright light. Coming back along the River Wear  not yet full of the coming flood water a Woodpecker showed itself . Magic. Home now and the fresh linguine is cooking next to the tomato source . "Cop Land" a police drama about a New York cop who gradually realises his colleagues are corrupt is ready to be watched . The PSP family is rocking   but maybe not rolling as it usually does. Miles skateboarded to day at 4Motion in Darlington and Clifford chilled at home  as their  parents romped and romanced around Durham . A good day!

Gosh what a troublesome wife I have occasionally  . The first of the Garden Goddess'  tomatoes have ripened. I'm having a healthy salad and my own home potato salad for tea while the rest of the family pleberatti are having the usual fried fish and it's close relations. So, you'd think my request to have the first fruits of the summers seasons offerings on my plate would be a reasonable request . Nope . I'm getting HALF A TOMATO to go with my salad and that only after a googley eyed tense gunfighter style  stand off with the fine lady . Sometimes marriage is tough !

Fiona and I had a great urban ramble around Newcastle today and a mini ramble in Durham City. There was a cool breeze blowing in Newcastle. The tide was rushing in up the Tyne past the Kittiwakes and their fledglings perched on the Tyne Bridge. We walked along the Ouseburn River path with   the new buildings pushing up nicely and then to the Biscuit Factory art gallery to see the  landscape art of Julie Dumbarton. The heads up to see her work came from my FB mate David Forte who runs the fantabulous Larrys Lodge B n B  at Keswick in the Lake District . Mrs Dumbartons work is exceptionally  good and worth having a look at . A Costa coffee cool down slurping a crushed ice cappuccino was had before heading off to Durham to meet Miles and Clifford at the great Inshanghai eating emporium. After food wolfing was done we went  back home to  two episodes of the WW2 miniseries the Pacific. I've got another song written so that has to be recorded this weekend . I'm back on the tune trail now some family problems and potentialities have been sorted. I never forget that love is a rose that has thorns as well but I will never give up growing roses. Scratches and all !

Yesterday I had a beautiful day out in York with my family. We met up again with Verona a lady from Berlin who we did a big Yorkshire Dales tour and walks last Thursday. We paddled around York in the rain visiting churches and snickleways. Verona really enjoyed seeing the bits of York  she had not seen before. She has been regularly visiting the city since the mid 80s. As we walked up Birdcage Walk heading back into town for tea we met, joy of joys, Emily Peattie and Toni Maynor two fine ladies I knew really well from the 80s but had not seen  since 1996. The last time they had seen Miles and Clifford they were 4 and 1! It was a beautiful experience seeing them and they were as friendly as ever. Verona is going to do some trips out with us again next year when she holiday's in York again.  A very beautiful day out.

A beautiful afternoon out doing an urban ramble around Newcastle with Clifford and Fiona . We walked around the castle which goes back to Norman times . Views from the top amazing under a wispy cloudy sky. Then over the high level bridge which is a double decker one . Road on the bottom and railway on top . Coffee at train siding cafe on the Gateshead side . Biscuit break next to the Sage and great views over the Tyne . Lot of Goldfinches. Walked through Sage then nice climb of the stairs up to  the top the Baltic Art Gallery . Great views! I was last person across Millennium Bridge when it was raised to let two boats through . Onward up more steps to Costa Cafe for iced coffee and melon drinks . The meatballs are cooking and we're about to watch Eyes on the Prize episode 4. A brilliant 14 part documentary about the US Civil Rights Movement. Great feelings of love for friends and family .

A wet Saturday walk was done by myself this afternoon. Fiona and Clifford didn't feel like going out .Wandering out from Shincliffe down the lane next to the River Wear   wonderful with all the wet pungent smelling vegetation . Wet weather sporty youngies   out  sporting it. No one else   around .  A reflective walk thinking a lot about family and how it has it's mostly ups but sometimes downs . Nothing us parents are not equal to. We've cracked difficulties with the lads before always ending up at a higher level. That's what life is about . Progress.  Coffee break   at Esquires packed out with damp people . A comradeship of the soggy prevailed. Worked out a couple more songs. Reflected on the great times   with the family  in this City and surrounds . Got back to a very asleep Fiona . I'm now cooking the Italian fresh pasta tea  . Fiona's growing Basil in my music room and the place smells wonderful. She will cut some fresh leaves soon. She's just done it . Gorgeous. The Basil is good as well.  Eyes on the Prize a video history  of the US Civil Rights movement part 2 coming up. Inspirational. I keep my eyes on the prize at all times. What's the prize? Loving humanity and removing injustice.

A cracking day. Up at 5.30 am  crack on with song writing now my tail is up again. Got a load of stuff done and I'm understanding how to use a harmonica in a song  . Out at midday with Fiona and Clifford for a ramble around Durham City outskirts then into the City . Miles holed up in his hall of residence revising . Good lad.The River Wear   brown and peaty from the rain. Smells in the lane were brilliant with all the new spring growth. Caught it just right with all the rain evaporating carrying the odours . Nice. Biccy break in Cathedral Cloisters radiant and peaceful. Coffee in Market Square amongst many lively people . Had iced coffee for first time . Cool. Fiona bought Vintage buttoned jumper and looked really good .  Clifford and I stood by discussing why women are so interested in buying clothes. An enlightened young man! Back home to Leonard Cohen crash out and cuddle. Meatballs cooking now. "Eyes on the Prize" episode 1 coming up. There are 14 of them! Wonderful video history of the American Civil Rights movement . It's on YouTube and I highly recommend it . Then on into the night warbling and wailing getting another song done .  Great feelings of love and oneness with family and friends .