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!