OE's in Durham

I had an early lunch on Wednesday and then set off for Durham. It is only 3/4 hour away, so I arrived before 2.0 when the rooms are ready. Took my stuff over to the River-side rooms, where I was overlooking the river Wear. When I came down again, I found 2 ladies who had arrived a day early so had a chat with them. From where they were sitting we could see when others arrived. As I had organised the whole thing, I wanted to be sure that all was well, so tried to welcome people. Many had arrived by 4.30ish, so went up to my room and had a snooze - much needed!

What was this all about? I went to a school called Queen Ethelburga's. When I arrived it was evacuated to Studley Royal (by Fountains Abbey) and in April 1946 it moved back to Harrogate. There were only 3 of us in the group who had been at Studley, as most of them had left in the 50's and 60's. We totalled 26, with the 2 who came for the day only.

We have had several gatherings. The first was at Linlithgow because the old school organ had arrived there. (The school now belongs to a father near York, the Harrogate site is a housing estate and the Chapel was razed to the ground). The next was at Southall (I am not sure why) and then at Lyminge, where Queen Ethelburga died. The sister of an old Dunelmian suggested that we had a gathering in Durham, with lunch at Durham School.

So - that first evening we had a great deal of catching up and chatting, then a dinner with all 24 of us on one table in the main dining room. The staff of the Royal County Hotel could not have been more helpful or caring. By the time we had finished dinner, I was more than ready for my bed - a very wide affair with 3 sets of pillows and a duvet type thing under the sheet. Very comfortable!

Next morning, after an excellent breakfast, we climbed into the minimum number of cars plus one taxi and went off to the School. Signs saying 'Welcome to the Old Ethelburgians' made us feel immediately at home. After a cup of coffee or tea, we were given a tour of part of the school and an account of its history. All very interesting and as it was quite warm, with no wind, very pleasant to walk around. We were impressed by the accommodation for both boarders and day pupils. We visited a girls' house, not a boys'. It being half term there were no students there, though team members had come in for practice. That's dedication for you!

Lunch followed, in a room off the old large hall. The food was excellent though the portions were large enough to feed growing teenagers and we were nearly all over 60!

The Chapel is up 90+ steps, each representing Old Boys killed in the war. It helped to shake down the lunch, climbing up! For those who felt unable to climb (wimps and halt and lame!!) there was a mini bus. We had a short service, which an old girl and I had put together, with a favourite hymn, the school lesson, school psalm, school song, prayers, including one for old girls, and God be in my head, which I had sung nearly every school day for 6 years at morning prayers (assembly).

After the service, another girl and I set off at speed down the steps, and down the hill to the Wear, over Prebend Bridge and up to the Cathedral to contact the Guides for a tour. Nearly every one got there by 3.15, the set time, much to my surprise! It was important, as the guides like you to be prompt. We had a very interesting tour of the Cathedral. I think we will be paying for an hour but had at least 1 1/4. They were all so nice and love their cathedral. Walked down the hill back to the County Hotel. (I had hitched a lift to the school). The drivers didn't find it quite so easy! You can't take a car up to the Cathedral. They charge a bomb if you go anywhere near!

So back to my room to rest - I was exhausted - but a lie down recovered me! So down again for a gin and dinner with still more talk. Can't think what we still had to talk about!

Friday morning, the Secretary and I (the Treasurer couldn't come - she works) paid the bill - over £2000. Of course, everyone had payed their share already - to the OEA. And after many goodbye's - and see you at Lancing's (the next trip) - left for home.

Non Bridge players skip the next paragraph!

I'm not sure how I managed it but that evening we went to the first meeting of the Tynedale Bridge Club for this winter. It was great fun and interesting how different the people were! I was the partner of 3 amazing hands. The very first of the evening, my partner had 25 points and I had 9 but neither had a suit, so bidding was very difficult. In the end we bid a small slam and my partner made a grand slam. Later another partner called quite high and I had a lot of points, so I went straight to a game call - not like me at all. Anyway we made it. Then towards the end, we had a similar situation and we ended with a small slam called and made. So very unusual to have 3 hands like that in one evening - usually not even one! I was definitely in the money! We play 10p a hundred.