Modern Vespa

Out at 7:30 this morning to the sound of a local brass band rehearsing in the street! They were heading to the annual 'Durham Miners Gala' a traditional meeting of all the former coal mining communities, with stirring speeches of working-class solidarity and of course numerous colliery bands playing emotional tunes. Finally, a mass Christian blessing in Durham Cathedral.

Durham City would naturally be packed with thousands of visitors and many roads closed for the day. Thunderstorms are forecast for this afternoon, so I hope they don't get too wet!

I head off in the opposite direction, avoiding the crowds and traffic congestion, following my familiar country lanes.


A country lane not far from home

Sedgefield village green

A novel plant pot!

Straight and narrow near Whinney Hill

A few minutes break in the village of Bishopton

A quiet road near Ferryhill

A view across the rolling countryside of County Durham

Looks like a fabulous and serene ride.
I prefer Sunday mornings here her Germany, most people are either still sleeping or enjoying family breakfast - best time to be on the road

Hello derbenjamin! Yes, I enjoy early morning Sunday rides too and luckily the roads that I use tend not to be full of the flows of interminable shoppers heading to the supermarkets on this day of rest and relaxation. I am fortunate to live in a rural part of England, with plenty of country lanes to use and enjoy.

Happy Wanderer,

I think you are somewhat near my ancestral home at Copeland Castle. It is actually just a large manor house. I think it is for sale for 2.5 million US.
It is near the Anglo-Scottish border Northwest of Wooler, Northumberland.

The original family name was Coupland. My side of the family was "Transported to the Colonies" Virginia in 1650. Kicked out of the country for supporting Cromwell against the Crown.

Bob Copeland
33rd Bastard son of Sir John de Coupland

Hello Bob...or should that be Sir Bob, Esquire! That does look a very fine property and just around 120 miles from me, and if taking the scenic route to Northumberland probably about three hours riide on a small scooter. The price is actually quite reasonable (though not within my budget!) when fairly ordinary houses in Newcastle-upon-Tyne can sell for one million to local, over-paid footballers. I imagine the upkeep of such a place would though be horrendously expensive and winter fuel bills eye-watering...but think of all that space for a scooter collection!

Happy Wanderer,

It has been many moons since I have had the good fortune to visit your great country. I was in Portsmouth, on my way back to Minnesota after four years in Italy, purchasing a new MG Midget (shipped back). The countryside was beautiful. I was hitting all the tourist haunts, (Stonehenge, Drury Lane Theatre in London). Unfortunately, I never got North of London.

I had an uncle, Conrad (Winnipeg, Canada) who traced the family, before the internet, using burial records produced by the Church of the Latter Saints. Evidently, their faith allows them to go back in time and bring ancestral relatives forward into heaven. Consequently, they have every burial record in the USA cataloged. To the point, he traced my family back to William Copeland (1783).

Information is missing between 1650-1783. Local court records were lost or burned down. Family folklore (oral tradition) spoke of being kicked out of England in 1650 and being related to Sir John Coupland.

So there you go. More info than you needed or asked for. So, I am a British just like you. I just got forcibly "Transported to the colonies". Virginia.

Yes, that property is reasonable priced. To far gone to go home-home.

Bob Copeland


Home sweet home - with Pubs, Fish and Chips and watching the BBC