Old Durham Town.

Afternoon Strumpets,

We had the most brilliant day out in Durham yesterday. Originally we were going to go to Hardwick Hall, but in the spur of the moment we thought, as it was such a lovely day, a drive through to Durham and a picnic along the river by the Cathedral would be fun.

As we were looking around the Cathedral, the Chaplain of the Cathedral came over and began chatting to us, about where we were from, which school the kids went to etc. It turns out his wife taught at my school. He told us that there was going to be a wedding taking place at 2pm in the Cathedral, and Gracie may get a chance to see the Bride walking down the Aisle, but when we came back there was a massive crowd and, understandably, the part of the Cathedral was cordoned off where the wedding was taking place. Grace could just about make out the Groom (Harry was outside with his mother chasing pigeons, and lookingly longingly at other tourists uneaten picnics).

A Curate approached Grace and after asking me if it would be alright, said "Come with me Poppet". She took Grace down to where the wedding was taking place, and Grace got to see the wedding march perfectly. She was buzzing. I must admit from my angle it was pretty magical.

Then we went for a walk around the Market, and as we did so The Mayor Of Durham, Dennis Southwell, picked us out of the crowd, and asked if we would like to have a tour of his offices, and have a cup of tea in the Mayoral Lounge (If that`s the name)? As we were leaving, he came came up to Grace and said "I think I recognise you, are you called Gracie, and were you in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette the other week doing a run with a pink guitar" Harry laughed like a loon, and Grace was absolutely amazed. She said that she was, so the Mayor said "Well if we`ve got a celebrity in the hall, I`ll have to open the Balcony so you can wave to the crowds". And that`s what he did. You really couldn`t make this up! He walked us through the
Chambers where people were being given guided tours, Telling people "Let us Through, this is Grace from the Gazette" and we spent five minutes on the balcony, waving at the people below. It was fantastic.

I don`t suppose Mr Southwell will have much call for reading a blog about a lad doing strange things with his banjo, but if anyone knows him, will you give him a massive pat on the back from me. It truly was the most amazing day. We`ve already got Grace and Hal writing thank you letters to send to him.





Till the next one, learn something new,
Mark.