Weirder Shows

Saturday's Greek Night went well, with plenty of spanakopita and excellent company for discussing life and its meaning. Still working that one out.

Sunday was for standing in the Park in Hexham, with some of last night's crew, other regular standers plus four brand new resisters. High energy standing, talking, listening and trying to understand what we were saying and why, took a couple of hours, then a newly found friend suggested coffee, meaning an in depth conversation with Paul at Bunters, where Joao offers food and drink plus a chance to practise Portuguese, though he speaks better English than many locals.

Meanwhile, other Hexham friends were in Newcastle being attacked by some police with batons, horses and a vicious dog, since they planned to march for Freedom. Now, instinct suggested that a poorly publicised event, so soon after that debacle last week, was not calling. That, and being knackered after the busy day and late night. Reports of the violence confirmed the instinct, and subsequent photos and videos horrified all who witnessed  them. Leading to a question about the wisdom of confronting the police with inferior numbers and no batons, horses or vicious dogs. Of course, this leads remorselessly to the point that violence can't win against the state, when the State has police and armed forces behind them. So, what to do? Maybe, just protest peacefully, by standing in Parks discussing Freedom, or attracting larger numbers for picnics in the Parks, with speeches and songs about freedom, plus dancing joyously, swinging strangers round and round, including police officers, who like a dance themselves, not to mention a cup it tea and some cake.

You see, suddenly, far from protesting against the police for Freedom, we're all being Free together. Fancy a dance constable? Maybe a hug, sergeant? How about a squeeze behind the trees, Inspector?  And just don't obey orders which make no sense.

A trip over to Blanchland for the traditional Hunstanworth and Blanchland Show, including a walk over the border from County Durham to Northumberland, revealed a mini fun day but no Show, for covid reasons, and discussions with locals and tourists about the political situation and a walk back to the car.

A message on the phone said Mike, a friend from Birmingham was visiting imminently, which means tomorrow morning for a day and night before he goes on up to Glasgow to renew his passport early on Thursday. We last met earlier this year, at Gaunts House near Wimborne, and discovered we both knew Sir Richard from time spent at Gaunts House 25 years ago. But that's another story, from another time ...