Henry Normal

My Friday night jaunt to Barnard Castle should provide inspiration for today’s writing session.

At the Whitham Theatre, Henry Normal gave us an hour and a half of poetry mixed with observational humour that had us alternately nodding in appreciation and hooting with laughter. The fact that the venue was only half full reflects Henry Normal’s under the radar profile. He occasionally appears on the Radio Four six-thirty comedy slot, but ought to be better known having written scripts for The Royle Family, Mrs Meeton, and The Mighty Boosh.

The evening was worth much more than the ticket price of £15, with an extra £10 for a signed copy of his latest collection of poems.

[Authentic selfie - 15 June 2023]

Mind-clearing Walk

I am still feeling the mind-clearing benefits of yesterday’s walk with an old friend. Old in both senses, age (like me 70+) and duration (50+ years as friends). Starting in Slapewath we took the Cleveland Street path that connects Guisborough Priory and Whitby Abbey winding through fields paths as for as Skelton. Lunch on a bench then a half mile of tarmac to get onto the Cleveland Way at the splendidly and appropriately named Airey Hill Lane for a walk back to Slapewath, where adjacent to the Fox and Hounds a coffee shop awaited.

That was the only disappointment – why does anyone warm a scone up before serving it?

[Authentic selfie - 8 June 2023]