Our Christmas Elf

Today was the annual Christmas bash for the Haltwhistle walkers, held, as always, in the Comrades Club.

It was the usual fun. There was lots of catching up with people from the other group (we have two). BJ was there before flying to Italy tomorrow. The buffet by Karen was excellent. We had the awards ceremony. There were a huge number of wet walks this year, so the golden flipper was hotly contested! There were three nominations for the walker who endured above and beyond. One involved a railway barrier catching the walk leader on the head, but the winner was Kevin who ended up being hosed down by a farmer after falling into slurry............

I asked the barmaid is she was going to be dressed like this for all of December, but she had dressed up 'specially for our do.

I tried to race off early (just after winning a raffle prize) but was delayed because my coat was under piles of others........

I was going for a very special meeting at Vindolanda. Barbara Birley is the specialist who photographs the Roman tablets (writing ones) and prepares them for translation. There is deep mud at Vindolanda so the tablets are preserved anaerobically.

Ian (next door in the chapel) and I went to ask her advice about photographing writing on 18th century American furniture. She was very helpful indeed, so we will be working on this again when there is time.

Anna took Margret's washing. Margret phoned me 3 times about various things and I phoned her with news of the Vindolanda visit.

It's been a busy old day but very satisfying.