Whitewash at the White House...

In 1973, Richard Nixon, President of the United States of America, said "There can be no whitewash at the White House". Of course he may not have heard of that stormy day when the Duke of Cleveland, landlord of most of the Teesdale farms, was out on a hunting trip. Rather damp, he sought shelter at a farm of which he assumed he was the landlord. After all, he owned most of the area ! "A drop of rain won't hurt you, lad ! On your way !" Oh dear! Not his farm ! Furious and humiliated the Duke vowed that thereafter all of his farms would be whitewashed. Such a mistake must not happen again! Anyway that is more or less the story, although there are a few variations on the theme ! Whatever, the brilliant white farmhouses of Teesdale are a joy to behold !

Another busy bank holiday...

No need to worry about your carbon footprints here ! The bank holiday weather has been kind, and the walking season is well and truly underway !

There are ghosts on the moors and along the valley sides - the men who toiled in the lead mines experienced a daily life of danger. No need for virtual reality here. Life was real enough. Working in confined spaces using tallow candles for illumination, accidents were common, with collapsing roofs and with gunpowder causing problems. Of course they were not aware that they were getting lead poisoning ! The Romans were mining lead here, probably with slave labour. Mining continued down the centuries. In 1546, historian John Leland wrote "...the Men of Sualdale be much usid in digging Leade Owre. On eache side of Sualdale be greate Hilles where they digge..." Extracting ore continued into the early part of the twentieth century when cheap Spanish lead put an end to the industry. The accountants had the last word.

It's grim up North !

We've always been a bit touchy about how those south of the Watford Gap perceived us. Life has been grim for some people, particularly in those areas of dangerous and difficult occupations, where much of the wealth of the nation was created.It can still be hard in the idyllic landscape of the Dales for the upland farmers. The further we peer into the past,the more we see just how hard life has been. For those of us who have lived "soft" lives, (and grateful for it),we realise that we are no better than southern softies - with northern accents ! But proud of heritage and land.

Fellwalker supreme...

It is 100 years this year since the birth of Alfred Wainwright, the best known of all fell walkers. His seven "Pictorial Guides" opened up the Lakeland Fells to thousands of followers and his books, together with the relevant Ordnance Survey maps, helped us all to get to know the hills and enjoy them safely. I see that six of my well thumbed guides cost twelve shillings and sixpence each ! The final one was fifteen shillings ! I believe I got my money's worth !

Painting the sky...

The Red Arrows were always the stars of the Teesside Air Displays !

Another dimension...

Walk the Dales... Fly the Dales...! All you need is a small aeroplane, a glorious day, and off you go ! Start from an old World War Two bomber station - Goosepool they called it, and which then was home to Canadian airmen and their Halifax and Lancaster bombers. As a young boy I remember waiting at the hospital gates, near where I lived, for their generous donations of chewing gum, as they waited to meet their sweetheart nurses ! I digress. Anyway, ready for takeoff. Climb over the River Tees at Middleton One Row, then a quick look at Darlington. In 1825 an engine on the first public steam railway in the world, the Stockton & Darlington, was racing along at the unbelievable speed of 15 miles per hour, just below where we are flying. Turn towards the west, over the green fields and tidy villages north of the valley of the Tees and head towards Middleton -in-Teesdale. Spot the crags of the Whin Sill - an injection of molten magma into the existing sandstone and limestone rocks 295 million years ago ! Then you see it ! Majestic High Force. You won't see better in all England ! A steep banking turn over the huge quarry above High Force, and round to see the waterfall from the front, and far below. What a view ! Then off south over the high moorland - they are burning off the heather to provide the fresh growth that the grouse, sheep, and wildlife so love. Over Stainmore you can see the bed of the old railway line - the summit was at 1370 feet ! Also the Roman marching camp. How they must have cursed the weather ! Lead mines and relics of the industry abound. Lines of holes in the ground - bell pits, where earlier miners followed the vein. Soon you see Fremington Edge and the villages and hamlets of Swaledale all the way down to Richmond - the real Richmond, not that upstart pretender in the South ! Circle Richmond Castle - so well positioned that no-one seems to have had the nerve to attack it ! The ultimate deterrent. Then, gentle farmland and attractive villages on the outskirts of Darlington. Before you know it you are landing smoothly on the main runway of Durham Tees Valley Airport. Believe me ! It will take some time for the thrill of this wonderful journey to fade !