Old Durham Town

"I got off at Durham... and fell in love with it instantly in a serious way. Why, it's wonderful - a perfect little city.... If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful." Bill Bryson

I grew up in Durham, a beautiful historic city and home to the world class university. However, as a teenager I thought it was exceptionally selfish of my parents to have moved to a place with just two nightclubs and an aptly named pub called the “Fighting Cocks”. However, I remember driving back home one Christmas from university and saw the stunningly beautiful cathedral and castle lit up against the night sky and realised how privileged I was to call this home.

Durham Cathedral is the greatest Norman building in Europe. In a nationwide BBC poll held in 2001 it was voted the nation's best-loved building. The bad news is you have to walk up 325 steps to see the incredible panoramic views of the city and castle. The good news is, if you are lucky, you may have to do several tight body brushes with the handsome Italian tourists as you pass on the stairs. If you have my luck, it’ll be a Saga group.

I remember bizarre historical facts. I love the story that in 1650 after the Battle of Dunbar the cathedral was used by Oliver Cromwell as a prison to hold Scottish prisoners-of-war. Over 3,000 were imprisoned of whom 1,700 died in the cathedral, where they were kept in inhumane conditions, largely without food, water or heat. The prisoners destroyed much of the cathedral woodwork for firewood but Prior Castell's clock was spared, because it had the Scottish thistle carved into it. I do admire how fiercely loyal the Scots are about their country. I think the English would eat their own Queen if they were hungry enough.

American comments overheard in the cathedral:

“ Hey mah, I am phoning you from the top of Canterbury Cathedral”
"This is such a cute church"

“Why didn’t they build the Cathedral nearer the train station?”

There is also something very magical about the River Wear

that runs through Durham and a boat trip is a memorable experience. That’s how we all celebrated our A Levels finishing, with a few bottles of cheap cider as well.

My father is a rowing fanatic and has coached Durham University teams for over 40 years. My Mum used to say she would have to take us to the river bank so we could spend time with him. One of my earliest memories as a toddler is standing on my Dad’s lap on the river back and holding his face and telling him I wanted to marry him. Then this crew of very big hairy faced creatures (it was the 70s) turned up in a boat and took my Daddy’s attention away. I have never proposed to anyone since and still have issues with men who have sideburns and facial hair.

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