A Northumbrian Diary
Cleg
Agustín Fernández cleg, W 0 Comments
W was here today. As an erstwhile forester and farmer around these parts, when asked he knew exactly the identity of the bloodthirsty assassin that had marred my grass cutting yesterday: horsefly, known around here as cleg.
Field traffic
Agustín Fernández cuckoo, Hot day, obstructed field 0 Comments
Contrary to the forecasts, today was sunny and sultry, easily the warmest day I remember in these parts. Even the rooms downstairs welcomed you in short sleeves, which, believe me, for a Bolivian in Northumberland is a novel experience. But not right now any longer, for as midnight approaches I have had to switch back […]
First of the summer
Agustín Fernández longing, Sun 0 Comments
Today has been a miracle of a day. The sun shone with a brightness that defied belief; indeed, it still does at half past seven in the evening. After a family lunch at Wark’s Battlesteads Hotel – a very well cooked carvery – we came home and sat by the river. When it was time […]
Mourning
Agustín Fernández A Northumbrian Diary 0 Comments
It has been windy and wet for days. The air had been heavy with the departure of a dear friend, spouse, parent and sibling. But it lifted today for the farewell. Bellingham mourned together and quietly.
Belated sun
Agustín Fernández autumn morning, rain 0 Comments
Long time no write. It appears that some of the stories I have been telling have caused one or two of their protagonists a degree of bother. My use of first initials was intended to protect their identities, but in England’s most thinly populated county there are not many of us and recognition is easy. […]
Bovine visits
Agustín Fernández Cattle, The Farmer 0 Comments
As I write the view from my window is of cows and calves grazing outside. We have no cattle, but one day The Farmer announced that, if he opened a gap in his fencing and reinforced ours, his cattle could have access to our field. He did all the work with invisible efficiency. All we […]
A night at the Riverdale
Agustín Fernández B The Farmer's friend, J the tree expert, Leevi, North Tyne, R the absentee, Riverdale Hall Hotel, The Farmer, Young R 0 Comments
Bellingham’s Riverdale Hall Hotel is a survivor of a bygone era. Not because it is in any way dilapidated; on the contrary, the building, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, and its appurtenances, of a distinctly pre-World War Two character, are rather well kept. It’s the concept. The owner, John Cocker, oversees everything with a […]
A Christmas offering
Agustín Fernández María the Maran, The Farmer 0 Comments
Yes, K did get the Maran she had wanted. I, too, had been keen to have a home-based producer of the lovely brown eggs of which The Farmer had given us two examples. In late September I answered an ad in the Hexham Courant, in time for a Haydon Bridge-based, personable-sounding lady to agree to […]
16 December 2007
Agustín Fernández December frost, María 0 Comments
This incomparable corner of Northumberland is proving unique in more than one respect. As the rigours of winter bite, temperatures seem to reach lower nadirs than the official forecast, even those the BBC or Mozilla predict specifically for this particular postcode. After a diluvial November, the first fortnight of December brought welcome dry weather, but […]
That moon again
Agustín Fernández Montero, moon, werewolves 0 Comments
Tonight the moon is so bright that you can feel your pupils contracting when you look at it. Its reflection on the field magnifies the glow, making you almost screw your face at the brightness. If you stand with your back to it, you can see your shadow cutting a distinct contour on the silver-coated […]