Yesterday evening we walked along to the old bridge, to wait for the arrival of this year's Salmon Queen. Her approach was heralded by the skirl of the pipes
with all the crush of people, I only managed a quick snap as she went past
then a view of her back as she got out of her boat (which had been towed behind a car!)
it was hard to take photos of all the people up on the stage, as the light was behind them, so these are the best of a poor bunch! First, Lauren, the outgoing Queen
this woman with the fantastic hat is the High Sheriff of Northumberland
and this, of course, is the Mayor of Berwick, whom we met last month at the craft fair
and the most important person of the evening, the new Queen Shannon
after speeches by the two dignitaries and the two Queens, we were led in prayer by this chap - being Scottish I would call him a minister
we then walked the few yards to the War Memorial, where the minister again spoke, and the lone piper played a lament
Queen Shannon then prepared to lay a wreath, as the dignitaries looked on
with the solemn part of the evening over, the pipe band struck up a cheery tune
there was a big lad on the big drum
and a wee lad, who looked as if he might be his brother, on a much smaller drum!
as we left, we saw the High Sheriff chatting to some spectators
I wonder if she had a donut before she went home!!
in a comment on yesterday's post, Julia mentioned that her son would be fishing today near the old bridge. As I walked along to the Gallery this morning to do my stewarding at the exhibition, I saw these men on the river, so I hope one of them is Julia's son
when I got to the Gallery, I was delighted to see the finished exhibition
when we arrived yesterday, Reaper was moored at the quayside across the river
we went to see the ship after lunch today. I stayed on deck, declining to climb down the ladder to see below-decks, so Malcolm took these photos. He said it was quite cramped, and that there was also a strong smell of diesel (fuel) which makes me feel sick, so I was glad I had stayed in the sunshine
these are my photos from on deck
then I took this one from the old bridge as we walked home
to finish ...... when I looked out the window after dinner tonight, a line of geese was heading out of the dock
within minutes, the remaining geese, who were still playing with the swans, hastily raced after the others
apart from this dozy one!!