Musings from the Merse
Thursday, April 30, 2009
No 34 Bus
You have a choice of Bus to Berwick from Duns. No 60 direct via Chirnside
No 34 Indirect; via Eastern Berwickshire. They leave at the same time from the same stop and they are both marked Berwick
It Says Berwick on the Front
said the driver.
To my timid inquiry
Via Preston. Two got off.
Two got on;
Auchencraw. No time for a pint
Two got off.
Fat lady running' driver never saw her
Reston Post Office, no time for a stamp
Another fat lady. Driver ignored her
Ayton. No time for nothing
So missed nothing.
Two got on
.
Eyemouth. No time for a fish supper.
Four got on
Roaring along A1
Speed Cameras flashing.
Sir Morrisons? asked a passenger
'Sorry can't stop'
said the Driver.
'Try Aldi'
(But didn't stop either)
Golden Square.
(65 minutes from Duns)
'That was a roundabout route'
I suggested.
'Yes. No 60 directer'
'Why didn't you tell me?'
' Why didn't you ask me?
You wanted Berwick.
You got Berwick
'That's something;
in this day and age'
(The wife drove me back)
The image is of a Borders Bus-to Galashiels-the westward terminus of both the 34 and the 60
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Net Loss
Huttonian enjoyed this letter to the Berwick Advertiser-the town cousin to the Berwickshire yokel version.
"SIR,-As I hope to relocate to the area, last Saturday I completed a 720-mile round trip drive to take a four-hour look at Berwick.
Impressions?
An enchanting town in beautiful surroundings, full of friendly and helpful folk with a delightful mixture of Scottish and geordie accidents, uplifting pastel shade buildings here and there, interesting old architecture, giving the whole place a solid feel, together with an altogether well scrubbed look to the town.
The main amenities are all within easy walking distance of each other and to cap it all, riverside tranquility plus a beach.
However, I was all but poleaxed to discover no internet cafes whatsoever and, worse, the sole library, which does have computer facilities, not only closes on Saturday afternoons but for the entire day on Thursdays.
Hello - it’s the 21st century. I’m used to, and need, access seven days a week.
It was with growing incredulity that I studied the facts via the library’s window notice. It must have been the glazed look to my eyes which troubled a passing old lady, because sensing there was something amiss, she dived into her handbag and offered me some smelling salts.
I declined her kindness, but fully understand what prompted the gesture.
Still, at least you have electricity"
What a child of the 21st century. No internet access, no life worth living. And I wonder which of the southron public libaries and internet cafes he patronises are open 24 hours a day? Presumably if he does grace Berwick with a permenant presence he will bring his computer and get a internet connection in the comfort of his own bedroom. No need to seek out the libary hotspot ar 2am.
Btw I am intrigued to his reference to the 'Scottish and Geordie accidents'. Probably a lot of them walking around.
Something to do with the chemist shops not being able to offer a wide selection of condoms 24/7 in so last century Berwick?
Better keep his leg under until the shops open.
Huttonian enjoyed this letter to the Berwick Advertiser-the town cousin to the Berwickshire yokel version.
"SIR,-As I hope to relocate to the area, last Saturday I completed a 720-mile round trip drive to take a four-hour look at Berwick.
Impressions?
An enchanting town in beautiful surroundings, full of friendly and helpful folk with a delightful mixture of Scottish and geordie accidents, uplifting pastel shade buildings here and there, interesting old architecture, giving the whole place a solid feel, together with an altogether well scrubbed look to the town.
The main amenities are all within easy walking distance of each other and to cap it all, riverside tranquility plus a beach.
However, I was all but poleaxed to discover no internet cafes whatsoever and, worse, the sole library, which does have computer facilities, not only closes on Saturday afternoons but for the entire day on Thursdays.
Hello - it’s the 21st century. I’m used to, and need, access seven days a week.
It was with growing incredulity that I studied the facts via the library’s window notice. It must have been the glazed look to my eyes which troubled a passing old lady, because sensing there was something amiss, she dived into her handbag and offered me some smelling salts.
I declined her kindness, but fully understand what prompted the gesture.
Still, at least you have electricity"
What a child of the 21st century. No internet access, no life worth living. And I wonder which of the southron public libaries and internet cafes he patronises are open 24 hours a day? Presumably if he does grace Berwick with a permenant presence he will bring his computer and get a internet connection in the comfort of his own bedroom. No need to seek out the libary hotspot ar 2am.
Btw I am intrigued to his reference to the 'Scottish and Geordie accidents'. Probably a lot of them walking around.
Something to do with the chemist shops not being able to offer a wide selection of condoms 24/7 in so last century Berwick?
Better keep his leg under until the shops open.
Labels: Berwick, Geordie accidenrs, Internet access
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Berwick reaps benefits from England/Scotland debate
IAN SMITH a Berwick Advertiser (the townee cousin of the Berwickshire) reporter writes in the latest edition:
BERWICK is preparing for a surge in tourism interest as a direct result of the mass media coverage it has received over the past few days.
Television crews have beamed pictures of Berwick all over the world since the town hit the headlines in a debate over whether it should be English or Scottish.
Hundreds of newspaper column inches and hours of radio air time have also been devoted to an issue which has really caught the public's imagination.
The fact that Berwick has been bathed in glorious spring sunshine, showcasing the River Tweed and Elizabethan Ramparts at their best, has made it a marketing dream for tourism bosses.
Giles Ingram, executive director of Northumberland Tourism, said: "The amount of prime time television coverage and other media interest has been absolutely fantastic — you just can't buy it.
"We really want to try and spin it out as long as we can so we are now looking at ideas to help keep Berwick in the spotlight and maximise the benefit."
They are already working with BGB Communications, a London-based travel and tourism agency with key media contacts, to build on the publicity already generated.
"Berwick is an absolutely key part of our tourism offer but we know it has not realised its full potential.
"It's a historic town that ought to be attracting more visitors so this sort of publicity is great for us," admitted Mr Ingram.
Berwick Borough Council has been inundated with media inquiries from as far afield as the United States, Canada, Australia and even Russia*.
"There has been a huge amount of interest from the media," said a council spokesman. "We've had requests from broadcasters all over the world, including a Russian news agency.
"Closer to home we've had all the national press, television and radio interested as well as the regional and Scottish media while a production company has been in touch about doing a documentary on Berwick.
"There's no doubt that with all the sunny weather we've enjoyed recently it has helped to show the town in an extremely positive light."
I am not too sure about all the sunny weather we have been having recently-sunny yes.
Weather yes; but hardly conducive to sightseeing this latest Tourist Mecca. I took a friend on the standard visitor trail: Coffee and cake at Doolally's and then a walk around the Elizabethan walls (finished 1588 just missing the Spanish Armada, apparently) Cake good but once on the walls the horizontal wind and low eye dazzling sun made beating the bounds very hazardous especially as the top of the walls are exposed to the gale and the drop to the moat below is sheer and sometimes terminal; we have lost the odd visitor too busy reading the blurb about the Berwick Artist WS Lowry (well he did a couple of paintings here) to notice (no pun intended) where his feet were (all victims have been male they say) -a gust of wind and Bob's your bereaved uncle.
I am sure the city fathers wil be thinking of many eye catching slogans to attract new folk as visitors cashing in on the recent publicity but perhaps they should avoid
See Berwick and Die
* Why 'even Russia'? I am sure the phones have been humming with anxious Russians asking for assurance that they are no longer at war with Berwick
(The image is of a section of Berwick's wall-fall off that you remain very fell)
Labels: Berwick, Berwick's Walls, War with Russia
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
SNP TARGET BERWICK HORROR
The Scottish Nationalist Party has fixed its sights on the English border town of Berwick upon Tweed as its next battleground with England.
Christine Grahame, MSP for southern Scotland, has "invited" the people of Berwick to "come back into the fold" and swap their allegiance from England to Scotland.
Historically, the town has been a battleground between England and Scotland for centuries.
It has changed hands between the two nations no less than 13 times and was last won by the English in 1482.
But in a poll, organised by local newspaper the Berwick Advertiser, 77% of all those who voted said they would like to be governed by Scotland once more.
Keith Hamblin, deputy editor, said: "I was surprised by the result. I am a Berwick man born and bred and I regard myself very much as English.
"I think, though, that people feel the quality of life is better in Scotland since devolution.
"Also, we are losing our borough council next year. It's being replaced by a new unitary authority, so all our administration wil be run 60 miles away further south.
"So people feel they're going to be left out even further on the frozen north."
The town already has Scottish loyalties when it comes to football.
Its team, Berwick Rangers FC, has played in the Scottish league for years.
Ms Grahame hopes the rest of the town will also become fans of the idea of being Scottish.
Sky reports the latest bit of silliness by the SNP who are climbing on to a band wagon originally provided by a TV programme on whether Berwickers would prefer to have Scottish social services rather than English ones. Would you like free tertiary education? Yes please. Free services for the Elderly. Yes please. Would you like to pay higher taxes in an independant Scotland to underwrite what the UK government is now subsidising.
Next question.
The Scottish Nationalist Party has fixed its sights on the English border town of Berwick upon Tweed as its next battleground with England.
Christine Grahame, MSP for southern Scotland, has "invited" the people of Berwick to "come back into the fold" and swap their allegiance from England to Scotland.
Historically, the town has been a battleground between England and Scotland for centuries.
It has changed hands between the two nations no less than 13 times and was last won by the English in 1482.
But in a poll, organised by local newspaper the Berwick Advertiser, 77% of all those who voted said they would like to be governed by Scotland once more.
Keith Hamblin, deputy editor, said: "I was surprised by the result. I am a Berwick man born and bred and I regard myself very much as English.
"I think, though, that people feel the quality of life is better in Scotland since devolution.
"Also, we are losing our borough council next year. It's being replaced by a new unitary authority, so all our administration wil be run 60 miles away further south.
"So people feel they're going to be left out even further on the frozen north."
The town already has Scottish loyalties when it comes to football.
Its team, Berwick Rangers FC, has played in the Scottish league for years.
Ms Grahame hopes the rest of the town will also become fans of the idea of being Scottish.
Sky reports the latest bit of silliness by the SNP who are climbing on to a band wagon originally provided by a TV programme on whether Berwickers would prefer to have Scottish social services rather than English ones. Would you like free tertiary education? Yes please. Free services for the Elderly. Yes please. Would you like to pay higher taxes in an independant Scotland to underwrite what the UK government is now subsidising.
Next question.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Would Berwick be better off in Scotland?
asks a headline in the Berwick Advertiser?
And the articles continues:
View GalleryITV is coming to Berwick to make an edition of the Tonight show.
The programme will be looking at the differences in public services available on either side of the border.
Scots have many more medical care benefits, free tertiary education and social services than the English.
In view of Berwick's extraordinary history and its special location, Tonight is going to stage a local referendum asking the question: 'Would you want Berwick to become part of Scotland to have the same free public services currently enjoyed by the Scots?'
The referendum of course is just for television and has no constitutional basis but it is hoped it will be an entertaining way of highlighting the issues.
The programme is looking for two enthusiastic local individuals who could lead the opposing campaigns for the referendum.
One of them should passionately advocate the 'Yes' vote: for Berwick to become Scottish and have the same services found there. The other should argue for a 'No' vote: to keep Berwick English, and putting the case for equality of services in both countries.
They are not looking for party-political spokespeople, but rather for local people with 'fire in their bellies' who feel passionate about the issue who are willing to devote about a week to convincing others in the town which way to vote.
If you are interested in taking part in the programme, please contact Samantha Davies at ITV Productions on (0161) 827 2686 or 07789 928 429 or by e-mail Sam.Davies@itv.com
So if you have fire in your Belly, and Rennies don't help, you know what to do about it
Labels: Berwick, English Berwick, Scottish Berwick
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Berwick: England /Scotland
Berwick Rangers, Northumberland's answer to a number of questions, is the only English football team to play in the Scottish League. Right. Berwick upon Tweed is in England. Right. But where, nationaly, is the B-u-T branch of the Bank of Scotland? Huttonian only asks as today is a Bank Holiday in Scotland. It is full working day in Protestant ethical England. Gloriously open were Lloyd's, Barclay's, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation-and that symbol of Scottish Banking Expansionism : The Royal Bank of Scotland. But we wanted the Bank of Scotland. Closed. In sympathy with its cousins across the Border or making a statement about Berwick being Scottish (or the staff had slept in?)
Berwick is resolutely ambivalent about its national loyalties. Saltires generally outnumber Crosses of St George and Union Flags. Dour stone buildings shout 'Scotland' and the pubs erupt in cheering when the English try line is crossed-by anyone.
Today, banking aside, there are compensations for Berwick's Gallic mistiness. The major shops were open. And empty despite the New Year Sales. So deserted was Homebase that a salesperson, normally as elusive as visible human life in Hutton, actually asked if we needed help. As it happened we didn't but its nice to be asked.
Bank holidays are something of an issue around here so I was not surprised to see a large placard outside a local shop inviting customers to sign a petition demanding an extra national Bank Holiday. I might have done. But as it wasn't a bank holiday, except in Scotland, the shop was
closed.
If you see whatI mean
(The image is of the new Bank of Scotland £10 note. Acceptable everywhere accept the rest of the UK. And obtainable everywhere in Scotland and Berwick upon Tweed. Except today)
Labels: Bank Holidays, Berwick
Friday, December 28, 2007
The shock of mid-Christmas transition from Paris,France to Lunnon England was smoothed by a surprisingly uncrowded Eurostar. Bog standard is vastly superior to its equivalent in National Express but any warm glow mostly dissipated by the rude shock of sharing Northern Line with tout St Pancras. Its back to the rails today with National Express. Apparently NE will soon be offering through fares to Europe from the bigger East Coast Line stations. York yes,Durham yes but Berwick No. What kind of mindless discrimination is that? And,moreover, once Reston is open, the Commuter Crazed Gateway to Scotland, crammed with moneyed Europhiles, National Express will be offering fares to all over Europe including Istanbul and Telaviv. SAnd poor Berwick will revert to its new status as 'The Last Place in England' Not the strategic centre it usedto be. Thus at last, Macbeth's famous prophecy will be realised(Omitted from all save the Shakespeare First Folio)
"Woe to fayre Ber Wicke and its castle Roun
when steame it comes to Reston Toun'
It really is time to move to Duns
"Woe to fayre Ber Wicke and its castle Roun
when steame it comes to Reston Toun'
It really is time to move to Duns
Labels: Berwick, Reston Station
Saturday, October 06, 2007
No Marks out of ten
Morrisons was curiously deserted for a Saturday morning-great pleasure for Huttonian doing the marketing in the absence of the wife in the Home Counties. I commented to the check out person. 'Marks and blooming Sparks' she said. (Didn't actually say blooming) This is no ancient Northumberland expression but a reference to the the Eighth wonder of the known Ber wick-the newly opened M&S food hall in the Home Base complex as it used to be called. Apparently it has been packed out ever since it opened its aroma filled aisles-tout Berwickshire and 87% of the rest of the Borders has flocked to experience food shopping at its most sophisticated-just like the southron folk as far down as Newcastle can enjoy every day.
I overheard two villagers discussing this dawning of a new age.
V1 'Have you been to the Marks and Spencers yet?'
V2 'Yes. 5 times'
V1 ' What did you buy'
V2 'Not a thing'
V1' Why not'
V2 'Check out queues too long tae bother'
V1 'How about the prices'
V2 ' Sky high'
V1 ' Would you have bought anything if ye did na have to queue, like'
V2 ' Probably not'
Well there goes the Hutton market.
Morrisons was curiously deserted for a Saturday morning-great pleasure for Huttonian doing the marketing in the absence of the wife in the Home Counties. I commented to the check out person. 'Marks and blooming Sparks' she said. (Didn't actually say blooming) This is no ancient Northumberland expression but a reference to the the Eighth wonder of the known Ber wick-the newly opened M&S food hall in the Home Base complex as it used to be called. Apparently it has been packed out ever since it opened its aroma filled aisles-tout Berwickshire and 87% of the rest of the Borders has flocked to experience food shopping at its most sophisticated-just like the southron folk as far down as Newcastle can enjoy every day.
I overheard two villagers discussing this dawning of a new age.
V1 'Have you been to the Marks and Spencers yet?'
V2 'Yes. 5 times'
V1 ' What did you buy'
V2 'Not a thing'
V1' Why not'
V2 'Check out queues too long tae bother'
V1 'How about the prices'
V2 ' Sky high'
V1 ' Would you have bought anything if ye did na have to queue, like'
V2 ' Probably not'
Well there goes the Hutton market.
Labels: Berwick, Marks and Spencers, Merse
Monday, October 01, 2007
Huttonian does not normally bore bloggees with cut and post jests (apart from the letter column of the Berwickshire) but I cannot resist passing on the sad tale of the paranoic Dinger -possibly part of the entourage of the self styled Regent of Scotland-but no names no pack drill as my grandfather's RSM used to say.
Anyhow Dinger X had a fixation that his every move was watched by MI6, MI5, Fishwick Special Branch and in months with a 'r' in them, by the CIA and FBI as well. A kind friend felt that Dinger X needed a break from hothouse conspiracy ridden Duns and took him for a fun filled holiday in distant Ber Wick where our Dinger friend had never been before. He went with some reluctance, especially as it was across the border, but what with the bracing sea air, the friendly sea gulls and the frequent display of the Saltire despite long years of English occupation, he started to perk up. When they came to Wallace Green he was attracted by a large diagrammatic map of the town showing all places of interest. Suddenly he froze and went white-and with a trembling finger pointed to a square box on the map with a large black arrow which said:
YOU ARE HERE
And then gasped out:
'How do they know that?'
(I have no images-for security reasons-of Wallace Green but the one above is of one of the seats on Ber wick walls much used by visiting spies in months with an 'r' in them)
Labels: Berwick, Dingers, Fishwick Special Branch
Saturday, September 29, 2007
For the only time in 10 plus years I heard the pipes in Ber-Wick this morning. For a second I thought I had been beamed up to Embra, but no, there he was, parading from Boots, via Thornton's Chocs towards the old town hall where there was a food (not Scottish as it happens) festival in full swing. The image from Flickr (thankyou Orin Optiglot) does him some justice although he had no moustache. Nor did he have an offertory dish, but this did not prevent a sweet elderly Scottish expat lady ( I am making three assumptions here), overcome with patriotic emotion, from thrusting money into his hand during a short break in the performance.
Smiling, and with a tiny bob(no pun intended) he handed the specie back and said something I did not quite catch. Was it : 'Thankyou but I am not a mendicant piper unlike that disgrace to the Kilterhood in Princes Street' or, just possibly in these times of some inflation and collapsing house prices;
'Sorry. It's not enough. Missus
(Or putting it more traditionally : I am sending you hame
Tae think again)
3
Smiling, and with a tiny bob(no pun intended) he handed the specie back and said something I did not quite catch. Was it : 'Thankyou but I am not a mendicant piper unlike that disgrace to the Kilterhood in Princes Street' or, just possibly in these times of some inflation and collapsing house prices;
'Sorry. It's not enough. Missus
(Or putting it more traditionally : I am sending you hame
Tae think again)
3
Labels: Berwick, Mendicant Pipers
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
No Marks out of Ten
Its not usual to see visitors from the Far East in Ber Wick and it is getting late in the year for foreigners (except Scots.) But to day I saw the old fashioned type of Japanese visitor, two cameras, eager and interested in his surroundings-such as they are around the Council Offices. I knew, once I saw him, what was going to happen next. He stopped me with a courteous little bow (and by blocking my progress) and indicated that he would like me to photograph him against a suitable building. So I moved with him towards the rather grim but photogenic Anglican Church (built, it is said, by Cromwell) . He was having nothing of it and indicated that I should take him beside a very small Toyota with an extensive view of the half empty car park behind him. 'My car' he said 'Hired at airport. Japanese. Very good' ' Good car park. Excellent facility' He added. I handed him back the smaller camera and asked if he liked Ber Wick. 'Lubbish' he replied. 'Rubbish? Why' 'Bad shops. No Marks and Spencers'
If I had known that earlier I would have had good news for him. I was told just now (by a prospective house buyer) that we are to have a Marks and Sparks opening next month. When the word spreads to the China Sea and beyond we will be inundated by eager retail tourists anxious to be snapped outside M & S, Argos, Homebase and even, on a slow day, Somerfields.
No longer Lubbish. But desilable. Putting the Yen back into
Ber wick. Shopping Magnet of the North
(The image is from flickr. Marks and Spencers? Yes. Apparently it is the kind of breakfast you can buy in one of their food stores-like the one to be opened here shortly. So we can look forward to organically eager Scottish tourists and caravanners munching away on these in their cars outside M & S. Can't we?)
Labels: Berwick, Japanese tourists, Marks and Spencers
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Or Somewhere else in Lieu
I don't want to start a mass comfort flash mob dash in Ber Wick but it is good to confirm reports that the Gents at the Maltings no longer requires a key from reception attainable by bone fide customers only-no bring me your huddled masses yearning for a pee here-or at least that was the case.Now you can march in, down two flights, unzip and what a relief.
One guy will be interested, and irritated by this welcome change of heart by management (Women to a man, as it were, and ladies loos had no such security; sexist that) This was the bloke observed by a friend desperately scrabbling at the door, key less and cross legged) He suddenly said 'sh*t' grabbed his unmentionables and rushed cross legged up the stairs in search of the key. (Its quite difficult climbing stairs in that manner-try it in the privacy etc etc) According to my friend, judging from the geography of emerging staining of the man's pantaloons, 'sh*t' was merely an expletive
not a description.
In his rage he did apparently make reference to not darkening the doors of the Maltings again.
Doors rather than floors, hopefully.
For that relief. Much thanks.
Perhaps other bloggers could report on available facilities in the area. This might result in slash mobs rather than flash ones-but the latter could be appropriate amongst a certain type of clientele.
I don't want to start a mass comfort flash mob dash in Ber Wick but it is good to confirm reports that the Gents at the Maltings no longer requires a key from reception attainable by bone fide customers only-no bring me your huddled masses yearning for a pee here-or at least that was the case.Now you can march in, down two flights, unzip and what a relief.
One guy will be interested, and irritated by this welcome change of heart by management (Women to a man, as it were, and ladies loos had no such security; sexist that) This was the bloke observed by a friend desperately scrabbling at the door, key less and cross legged) He suddenly said 'sh*t' grabbed his unmentionables and rushed cross legged up the stairs in search of the key. (Its quite difficult climbing stairs in that manner-try it in the privacy etc etc) According to my friend, judging from the geography of emerging staining of the man's pantaloons, 'sh*t' was merely an expletive
not a description.
In his rage he did apparently make reference to not darkening the doors of the Maltings again.
Doors rather than floors, hopefully.
For that relief. Much thanks.
Perhaps other bloggers could report on available facilities in the area. This might result in slash mobs rather than flash ones-but the latter could be appropriate amongst a certain type of clientele.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
GNER EARLY SENSATION
Indeed I spilled my Costa Cafe Latte (medium) in shock as the 10.14 Ber Wick to Lunnon train from Embra arrived at 10.09. I was not the only astonished onlooker-a French couple, recognising a linguist when they saw one, asked 'Ce n'est pas le Train pour Londres?'
'C'est ca' I replied ' Incroyable! Le train est tres tot-premature. Vous etes sur?'
' Bien sur.Cette Express de fameux GNER est comme votre Nouveau Beaujolais-il'est arrive' ' Je n'aime pas le nouveau Beaujolais'replied the now appreciative grenouille' Moi, je suis un claret homme, moi-meme'
I was sorry to break off such a promising conversation vinicole but had to help the wife board Coach D, heavily burdened, without spilling her Costa Early Grey-in which I was not entirely successful but there is a buffet car en train-so no matter.
Les Frogs also embarked.They will miss the start of Le Grand Depart of the Tour de France but at least have enjoyed an unprecedented Grande Arrivee at Ber Wick -upon Tweed.
That's something to tell les petits-enfants.
Je me demande.
Indeed I spilled my Costa Cafe Latte (medium) in shock as the 10.14 Ber Wick to Lunnon train from Embra arrived at 10.09. I was not the only astonished onlooker-a French couple, recognising a linguist when they saw one, asked 'Ce n'est pas le Train pour Londres?'
'C'est ca' I replied ' Incroyable! Le train est tres tot-premature. Vous etes sur?'
' Bien sur.Cette Express de fameux GNER est comme votre Nouveau Beaujolais-il'est arrive' ' Je n'aime pas le nouveau Beaujolais'replied the now appreciative grenouille' Moi, je suis un claret homme, moi-meme'
I was sorry to break off such a promising conversation vinicole but had to help the wife board Coach D, heavily burdened, without spilling her Costa Early Grey-in which I was not entirely successful but there is a buffet car en train-so no matter.
Les Frogs also embarked.They will miss the start of Le Grand Depart of the Tour de France but at least have enjoyed an unprecedented Grande Arrivee at Ber Wick -upon Tweed.
That's something to tell les petits-enfants.
Je me demande.
Labels: Berwick, GNER, Tour de France
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Did anyone else see UFO spotted by family in Car? Asks the Berwickshire on its front page today. A driver in Paxton, last Monday (and yes the Cross Inn was closed) his wife and their 17 year old grandson both saw five lights hanging in the air above Berwick at about 7-30 pm. 'They were like the kind of yellow lights you see on the Motorway but they were very big. They weren't high in the sky and were sitting just above Berwick' They disappeared after 30 seconds. The unnamed driver claimed that he was not 'prone to exaggeration' and is anxious to know if any one else saw the phenomenon.
Five lights over Berwick? No shepherds have yet come forward to claim these stars in the East. Nor have manger owners contacted the media. 5 stars-multiple birth perhaps and three wise men would need to top up in Morrisons en route to the scene. (Buy one Myrrh get one free?) One report to Fishwick Special Branch of a large family of 'Middle Eastern appearance' in the 'Hutton Castle Barns' vicinity is yet to be authenticated and a claim by a Co-op spokesman of unprecedented run on swaddling clothes may prove to be a misunderstanding.
Ideas on Twenty Pound notes please to the HTT dead letter box.
