shewhomust | Two days out in Durham

Yesterday was the second Saturday in July: the Durham Miners' Gala. Gala Day weather: warm and soft, as if it was about to rain in torrents, but never quite going beyond sharp showers; gusty enough that people carrying banners needed a firm grip, but no real risk of anything escaping. We were surprised not to catch up with the bands until we reached Silver Street, but there was enough of a crowd that once we had followed the bands and the banners over Elvet Bridge, we decided not to try to force our way past the County Hotel, where the bands stop to play for the invited guests watching from the balcony, but cut through in front of the prison instead.

And so on to the Race Course, where we strolled around and checked out the book stalls and admired the banners, and took photos, very few of which I am at all happy with. I'd like to be able to capture those moments where something in the crowd catches my eye: the women sitting on Magdalen Steps enjoying the music (Bob the Bolder noticed them, too), the proliferation of cool sunglasses, the woman playing whatever brass instrument it was in bright pink nail polish, the insouciance of the men in pink t-shirts (issued by the Communications Workers' Union; times have changed).

Today, something completely different: open day at the St Margaret's Allotments.