Ode to a haggis, and a Seaside Landlady

I'm preparing for our Burns supper tonight. Okay I'm not Scottish but it's always a good excuse for a night of fne whisky drinking and poetry on a grey January day. I was trying to explain to our 3 Italian businessmen how we celebrate the bard's birthday with his favourite tipple, poetry and haggis, tatties and neeps. Once I convinced them the haggis wasn't an animal they were a bit taken aback by the ingredients - sheep's liver, heart, lungs and oatmeal cooked in the sheep's stomach, recently updated I understand with a dessert of deep fried Mars bar available from the local chippy. Judging by the expression on their faces as they glanced up from the online dictionary it has quite enhanced Britain's culinary reputation. So why not raise a glass with me this evening and celebrate the birthday of one of Scotland's best! (The bard and the haggis!) Judging by the poem below perhaps he and I met in a previous life. He could have booked in with me anytime!

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie,
That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.

Foxy Tales

I was up at 5.00 am this morning, looking out of my window across the sea wondering if anyone was across the sea looking out of their window at me. You see last night was the book club (or as the husbands call it 'The Wine Club'). We take it in turns to meet in each other's houses and everyone takes a bottle - Co-op pink fizz is the choice of the moment. (The host always has to supply several more.) I arrived home after midnight and an alcohol fuelled exhaustion lulled me to a quick slumber. However, at 5.00a.m I was wide awake. So there I was, in my curlers and pink mules, a cup of tea in one hand and two paracetamol in the other staring out across the still, pre-dawn ocean when I noticed - a dog? walking up Southcliff, keeping close to the wall. I looked around for it's owner, but as it got closer the large bushy tail gave it away and I realised that I was fnally witnessing The Southcliff Fox. I'd heard tell of him from the neighbours, (those with young children, or others setting out for an early fishing trip). He stopped outside my window and jumped over the low railings onto the grass on the cliff top, and then for no apparent reason stood perfectly still, turned and looked out to sea, raising his head as if listening for something from far away. Was he perhaps wondering if somewhere across the ocean another fox was standing like him, staring back? I felt a certain affinity with this elegant, wild, ethereal creature. He remained like this for a full 15 seconds, then, perhaps sensing my stare he turned, and trotted silently away. If when you stay, you find yourself up early in the morning, take a look out of the window. And if you see the Southcliff Fox, give him a wave from me.

Geordie Dictionary

Before setting off on your journey to Whitley Bay I thought you might like to know a little of the local language in case you get lost and requie assistance:
1. Plodge = paddle in the sea 'Let's go for a plodge, the sea's lovely'
3. Man = woman, man, boy, girl. Usually added at the end of a command or exclamation to soften it and as an friendly term of address. 'Hurry up man!'
4. Pet = darling, typically used to address a woman or child, but can be used to address a man by an older woman typically a female shop assistant. 'That looks lovely, pet.'
5. Why Aye = yes/absolutely. Often used in the phrase 'Why Aye man'
6. Howay = come on. 'Howay pet, we're going to be late' Also used to cheer on Newcastle United, 'Howay the lads!'
The Geordie dialect retains many features of English that have been lost in Standard English, such as the plural 2nd person 'yous', irregular past tenses (writ), double negatives (as used by Shakespeare, for emphasis).
I'll post another 5 words next week, and a test at the end of the month, so better get practising!

The Bells are Ringing

Congratulations to our guests in Priory Penthouse who are getting married today and staying on for their honeymoon. With their family over from Australia it is an exciting two weeks. I am reminded of our first ever honeymooners who stayed over 27 years ago when the apartments were owned by our neighbour Jean Davis. They made a return visit from South Africa last year to rekindle fond memories of starting out life together in Southcliff. They said it was every bit as special; except the stairs seemed to be a bit steeper!

Swimming at New Year

I was freezing standing on the bank in my arctic conditions coat watching my friend take a dip in the sea at Whitley Bay. (That's her in the black bikini.) The snow didn't deter the intrepid lot who went in freezing and came out smiling...eeee but we're tough up North!

Snowmen at Southcliff

Making snow magical!