With the family I had a very lively and funny walk from Shincliffe down the River Wear into Durham City . We saw a Little Grebe , the first I've seen here for the winter, and I said   there will be Goosander's around as well because they leave the ponds and lakes in the Uplands of the Pennines and Lake District at the same time and a couple of hours later there was a Goosander all on it's own beneath the weir downstream from Prebend Bridge . Durham was quiet  although the steel erectors were working on the riverside development and the Archimedes Screw water power technology had been added to  with a large trench. We  had a lively biscuit break in the Market Place . At Starbucks we got very loud and crazy  but hey , why not ?  Life is for the living and death is for the dead according to Buffy Saint Marie . Amen . The meatballs are sizzling the  garlic  breads are cosying up to them and we are about to watch Lord of the Rings the first movie and I hope I'll stay awake . Along with the frolic and fun of this afternoon I felt a great love for my family , friends and humanity . God bless you all! 

With the  family I had a beautiful walk around the River Wear, Durham Woods and onto Durham City . As I haven't had much exercise over the past week, because of doing my back in ,the milky brooding mist felt fresh and fun ! A total bonus was seeing a Peregrine Falcon scooting from tree to tree on the river bank . Mega ace ! The Market Place  was full of students and shoppers as well as young kids enjoying rides on the roundabout there  . Our two lads rode on it when they were little!  The tomato sauce and fresh pasta are cooking away and when it's ready we're watching the film  " Sliding Doors"   . Great to be back up and walking again but best of all is loving my friends and family !