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Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

50 seconds of peaceful river Tees flowing through Forest-in-Teesdale below High Force waterfall. xx #natureclips

November 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

And here’s a clip of High Force waterfall. The sound is pretty tremendous up close, especially as magnified by the rocky gorge. #Teesdale

November 16, 2025 at 6:54 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Had another lovely trip into #Teesdale this afternoon. High Force waterfall was living up to its name. 😊

The river Tees and High Force waterfall in late autumn at sunset. The river flows away from the waterfall through a deep and narrow gorge, with a glow from the westering sun above.

A view nearer to the waterfall, showing the frothing cascade of water tumbling down into a dark pool below, with walls of sheer rock on either side.

Framed by leafless trees, the moors of upper Teesdale at dusk with the river Tees flowing through the middle ground.

Evening afterglow from a footbridge over the river Tees.

November 16, 2025 at 6:36 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Well, we did go for a 2nd wander round the Durham Lumière Festival tonight. This time we stuck to the quieter, non-ticketed areas. The city centre was much busier than on Thursday. Nice atmosphere though. Lots of families out enjoying themselves.
I so wish things were different with my own family.

Detail from the ‘Glimmer’ artwork at Crook Hall, consisting of illuminated paper lanterns decorated by local people and hung in trees in the garden.

Part of the ‘Flutter’ artwork at Crook Hall, which consisted of illuminated coloured butterflies, attached to small springs to simulate fluttering motion.

The bonfire-like artwork ‘Sign’ consisting of orange intermittently lit LED wands, placed to resemble sparks and flames.

‘Run Beyond’ artwork. White LED silhouettes of a figure running and jumping, next to the river.

November 16, 2025 at 1:52 AM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

A quick dog walk after work. Very wild seas at #Seaham today.

The Coxswain sculpture at Seaham Marina.

The ‘Tommy’ sculpture at Seaham, of a seated WW1 soldier with bowed head.

November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Thanks Jess. We saw only a small part, walked from the Marketplace up to the Cathedral and down to Prebends Bridge, that’s all. We stopped briefly on the Bridge to look at the river. I didn’t know it had actually flooded, but I’m not surprised to hear it, because it did look *very* full! xx

November 13, 2025 at 11:33 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

After stress of past 48 hours, had decided against going to Lumière tonight. But Mr M persuaded me to change my mind. He said it would do me good to be distracted from the worry about mother. So we went & saw part of the festival.
A gentle walk around beautiful Durham was indeed a comfort. 😊

Illuminated giant koi carp sculptures suspended above the street with people walking below.

I’m not sure what this was supposed to be to be honest. Photo shows moving abstract lights projected onto a screen in front of an 18th century building.

Illuminated paper lanterns suspended from wires in Durham Cathedral cloister with the towers in the background.

Photo of a candlelit prayer station with medieval alcoves illuminated in red light behind.

November 13, 2025 at 10:56 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

It’s only a year since we came to live in North East England, so I don’t know whether it’s unusual to have the late summer garden flowers still going in mid-November?
It’s nice to retain a bit of summer colour in the garden, but rather unexpected! xx #gardening

Purple Michaelmas daisy flower with yellow centre.

November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

BTW do you know Egglestone Abbey ruins near Barnard Castle? When we were there a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking that’s another ruin your 9 yo would probably like exploring!

November 10, 2025 at 5:55 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Yesterday went back to #FinchalePriory to show Mr M the autumn foliage before it is all blown off the trees.

Blue sky and clouds reflected in the river Wear, a footbridge and a steep bank of sunlit autumn trees. The ruins of Finchale Priory in shade on the left beside the river.

The river Wear with autumn trees on the bank.

Trees and a footbridge over the river Wear in autumn.

The westering sun shining through autumn foliage.

November 9, 2025 at 4:20 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Today’s outing was into #Teesdale, to see the #waterfalls Low Force and Summerhill Force, near Newbiggin.
Another astonishingly mild day for November, with no winds to so much as rustle the leaves.

Summerhill Force waterfall. Frothy water tumbles down a black craggy rock face into a small pool which has fallen autumn leaves floating on its surface.

Bow Lee beck below Summerhill Force. A rocky, peat-coloured stream with green bracken and mosses on the bank and trees with orange and yellow foliage.

Autumn woodland at Bowlees with the waterfall in the distance.

Low Force waterfall tumbling through a rocky channel with autumn foliage on the surrounding trees.

November 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Anyway, in other news we had a lovely dog walk earlier on the Croxdale Estate. Autumn leaves still putting on a marvellous display of colour. 😊

Avenue of sycamore trees with golden foliage and a grassy sheep-path between.

Sunderland Bridge, a stone bridge with several arches, dating back to the 14th century. The bridge is framed by yellow and orange autumn foliage. It is reflected in the waters of the river Wear that flow beneath.

The river Wear with golden & orange foliage lining the banks and the Croxdale railway viaduct reflected in the water. The viaduct dates from 1872 and is still in use today.

Sunset behind the Croxdale railway viaduct and reflected in the river Wear.

November 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Neighbours’ fireworks. Our dog is terrified and shaking. It’s like a war zone out there. 😢

November 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Maiden Castle circular for today’s dog walk. (Yes, there is a Maiden Castle prehistoric settlement in Durham; the Dorset one isn’t the only one). The autumn colours are glorious, but one strong winter gale will see them off. So pop out if you can and enjoy them while they last! #Durham 😊

A glimpse of sun beside a partially-fallen willow tree on the bank of the river Wear.

Richly golden foliage on the banks of the river.

A woodland trail through orange and yellow leafed beech trees.

A glimpse, between the beech trees, of the river Wear flowing below Maiden Castle.

November 4, 2025 at 7:52 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

A few days off work, so went with Mr M to the Durham University Botanic Garden today. Very grey day and raining on and off. But the tree foliage colours are spectacular this year, even in dull weather. 😊

Himalayan birch trees in the arboretum. They have striking white bark on their trunks.

A colourful orange acer tree and elegant rock piles in the Japanese garden.

The Sakura garden with a semi-circle of cherry trees given by the Japanese government, and benches beneath.

Metalwork fungi sculptures framing the woodland area with brightly coloured beech trees.

November 4, 2025 at 12:19 AM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Grateful for the opportunity for reflection on those loved and missed at All Souls requiem Mass tonight at D. Cathedral. It never ceases to amaze me how the little ones in the Choir sing such complex music (in Latin too) so perfectly. There must be a lot of dedication & practice behind the scenes.

Central tower of Durham Cathedral floodlit at night.

November 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

We attended Evensong & the community meeting, so it was dark when we left the Cathedral. Rather chilly tbh but we stopped on the Bailey & Prebends Bridge for a few snaps. 😊

Durham Cathedral towers with floodlighting and the river Wear below at night, with Framwellgate Bridge in the distance.

South Bailey in the evening. A cobbled street lined by houses with lit windows.

South Bailey in the evening, looking up the hill towards North Bailey. Stone houses with lit windows.

The College gatehouse at night with rising moon behind.

November 2, 2025 at 10:50 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

We had another wander round our adoptive city today. #Durham is so beautiful on a sunny #autumn day. Sorry if I keep going on about it! It’s just that I’m in awe whenever I go out. xx

The west end of the Cathedral and fulling mill beside the river Wear, surrounded by colourful autumn trees.

Autumn foliage on the banks of the river Wear with the Cathedral towers rising above and the blue sky reflected in the water. A rowing-boat in silhouette in the distance.

Arched doorway framing a view of The College quadrangle with stone buildings and colourful autumn trees.

A couple walking on Prebends Bridge beneath colourful autumn foliage.

November 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Cathedral bell peal from The College, Durham this afternoon. 😊 #DurhamCathedral

November 2, 2025 at 10:03 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

By the way, we happened to be passing this earlier - so I took a photo for you. 😊

November 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Another lovely autumnal walk today. Spoilt for choice here, so many footpaths in every direction.

I’d be interested to know what was being grown in the farmer’s field in the first photo (the one with the cottage) if anyone has any idea? @auntiejean1.bsky.social & @goldilevels.bsky.social?

Fields with a white cottage on the horizon.

Autumn trees and a gate from a field into woodland.

A woodland footpath leading to a stile and field beyond.

A tree-lined footpath with autumn sunshine and tree shadows.

November 1, 2025 at 11:38 PM

Mrs M

@mrsmhere.bsky.social

Went for a wander around the village of Hett at dusk today. It’s up on the top of a hill and must be pretty windy & exposed in the winter. 🥶 The village hall is a former WW2 Nissen hut! And they have one of the largest village greens I’ve ever seen.