Murphy & Dora stopping for a drink!
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Murphy & Dora are the mini mascots of Radio Newcastle's 'Nightshift' who enjoy sending postcards from their travels to radio presenter, Ian Robinson. murphyanddorastravels.blogspot.com has become a sister blog to Ian's own blog, truckshunters.blogspot.com. Please note that neither blog is associated with the BBC. They are purely social network blogs for like-minded folk. We welcome new friends into our network to read and use both blogs.
34 comments:
Hello Friends!
Well we've just finished running in the Great North Run! The weather is superb, the crowds are fantastic and the atmosphere is inspirational.
We're really pleased to see so many of our friends using our blog.
Keep blogging!
Luv Murphy xx and Dora xx
Hi folks,
I'm just signing in to tick the box on the new posting. You would think that once you've ticked the email box on one posting that you wouldn't have to do so each time you post comments on different postings!
Penshaw Monument has been on my list of places to visit for some time now. As it's such a lovely clear and sunny day I thought I would strike while the iron was hot! I actually climbed to the top of the hill and took some super photos.
Well done Murphy and Dora, I'll look out for you on the telly!
It is a beautiful day isn't it Vivienne? I look forward to seeing some of your pics on the blog.
Isn't this a luxury to have a fresh blog? Like having clean sheets! and no more scrolling forever to read the comments. Champion!
Hello everyone, just dropped in to tick the box.
I must declare my favourite bits of the Great North Run are the shots of the coastline as seen from the helicopter. I'm always pleased to see how good it looks.
Inga, incase you are wondering, the Great North Run is a yearly event in which ordinary people can register to run a half marathon. Elite runners, male and female take part, they start earlier than the others, thus avoiding any chaos.
Wheelchair users also take part, they start in front of everyone else.
The run starts in the city centre and ends up in South Shields. Vivienne is bound to post more pictures of the event, but if you need more then the bbc/tyne website has lots.
This entry isn't bad for someone who just called in to tick the box.
Hi Sid,
Actually I didn't take that many photos of the run. I had hoped to catch the Red Arrows flying over the Tyne Bridge above the runners, but set off too late. There were many spectators on and around the bridge, so taking photos wasn't that easy. Driving down to South Shields is almost impossible once the race has begun. One year my Mother insisted that I took her for our usual Sunday outing, She loved the Red Arrows, so I attempted to get to Shields, where she lived, in order to take her down to the sea front.
I worked out my route via Boldon to attempt to avoid the traffic. I became stuck, as I warned my Mother I would be, and it took me ages to get free. I phoned my Mother to tell her to watch the Red Arrows from her bedroom window, when I saw them in the distance. Their display was completely finished by the time I got there. I vowed never to repeat the journey again during the Great North Run. If I'd known how bad the traffic was going to be I would have stayed with her the night before.
When the Great North Run first began in 1981, I still lived in Shields with my parents. My Mother and I used to go and watch the run on the John Reid Road. We found that once you start watching you feel compelled to stay to the end to support the slower runners.
In those days Brendan Foster, who created the run Inga, used to compete too. I saw Brendan at the Blaydon Races 'on the 9th of June' this year, and he very kindly posed for me to take his photo.
Morning Sid
I heard Ian mention your Mooning Competition this morning , he was talking to Simon Holborn about it.
Hello everyone, loved the above posting Hildie. It might seem to others that I am deeply involved in a Mooning competition. I have done some strange things in my life, but this isn't one of them.lol.
siwcgoMorning folks, it looks like a wet 'n' windy day ahead. Nice day to start and decorate the bathroom.
Inga, after you have signed into this blog you should see a little box near the bottom of the page. It says Email follow-up comments to, and then goes on to show your e-mail address. The purpose of this is it lets you know if any of us had posted a message.
You won't get shot nor get a knock on your door in the middle of the night if you don't do it.
Here in the UK we are heading into Autumn, or should that be Fall, and then straight into winter. Is it the same where you are. I hope you don't mind me asking.
Just knew I should have checked it before posting. The verification bit somehow got added to the text.
Hi Sid,
That's a relief! I thought it was a Geordie word that I hadn't come across before!
Inga, here in the North East of England we've had various influences from abroad which have shaped our language. I'm sure the Romans left words, such as 'Netty' for toilet,loo & lavatory, but we also had a strong Viking presence, leaving us with phrases such as, 'Gannin' Yem' (going home). Sorry if I haven't (hivent) spelt them words proper! I'm sure someone will put me right! Zsvsom!!!
Shhh! don't tell Ian, but I've been to Bishop Aukland today .... he's absolutely scathing about the place! I went with my crazy friend, Susan, and we got lost on the way there! I blame the fog really. Once we got there, we had two hours on the parking ticket ... so the shopping pace was a bit fast for me. I usually go shopping with my sister and we just dilly dally. Anyway, I came on here to tell Maureen that last night Ian read an email she had sent him in , wait for it, JANUARY! Just in case there is a possibility that you may have forgotten what it was about, Maureen, it mentioned things like - "Who first thought of milking a cow and drinking the milk?" "Who thought of eating eggs?" "Why is there a light in the fridge but not in the freezer?"
It was full of stuff that made you wonder and ponder.
Sid, you're funny.
Fancy going to Bishop Auckland Hildie, how brave! I've often wondered why Ian is so scathing about it as well. He must have had a bad experience there. I once had a fall there, caught my heel in the pavement and ended up in casualty. So I have good reason to be wary!
Thanks for telling me about Ian reading my 'bit' out. Last night he confessed all. Apparently he's just found a folder full of our emails down the back of his bookshelves. He seems to be blaming the cats and said that he had to come clean so that we would understand why he was reading 'old' contributions out. So listen out folks, you'll probably hear things that you'd forgotten you'd sent!
Hi Maureen, hope you are okay. I heard Ian giving his explanation about the lost folder last night. It was quite a tale! Tell you what I'm wondering - does anyone know what time The Nightshift Newsreel comes on nowadays? You know I listen between 1a.m and about 2:30a.m. - well, it used to be always on during that time, maybe about 2:15ish, but I think it must be on later now because I never seem to hear it. I heard trivia from Kev last night, and the story I sent Ian about what happened,last week,in the skies above a Greek island.Don't know if you read about it but an air traffic controller overslept and 2 planes were circling the airport for forty minutes .... having no luck in contacting Air Traffic Control for their instructions! And, yes, Sid ... your mooning competition was mentioned again. Ian is even looking for suggestions for a local venue at which to hold such a competition here. He thought of Chester le Street, but was asking for other possibilities! Sid, what are you like on cabbage technology? Ian mentioned a man in Swalwell named William Collingwood who, in 1865, grew the largest cabbage ever - it was a red cabbage, 8stone 11 pounds in weight, 7 yards circumference and 4ft 2ins tall. This man is buried in Whickham cemetery. Thought you might be interested in that little titbit. Pickler also got a mention last night - Ian was asking for the Top Five Gadgets, I'm sure I remember Pickler said the Chain Saw was number one for him. Ian is going to be featuring The Top Five of lots of different things but I don't know what comes after gadgets. (Going back to gadgets - it would be the washing machine for me.)
Good morning all,
Hildie, I heard Ian do the Newsreel about 5.40 this morning. I slept through the beginning of his show, so don't know if the Newsreel had been played earlier in the Nightshift. Ian announced that the next, 'On Your Doorstep' will be on tomorrow.
Enjoy your day everyone,
Love, Vivienne xxx
Hello Everyone,
I also heard the newreel then Vivienne, I remember thinking that it wouldn't be much use to Hildie at that time! I also heard Ian mention that he'd enjoyed the Christmas show last year and although nothing was planned, he would let us know if there was a chance of him doing it this year. Tonight is another of Lozs' doorsteps and 100 things to do before you die! So that should keep us awake shouldn't it? I'm afraid, like Hildie, it's against my sleep pattern so I struggle some times, it's so silly isn't it? Just one daytime programme would do me, maybe on a weekend. There seem to be so many listen again programmes now I'm sure that they they could squeeze Ian in!
Hello Maureen, I told Vivienne about two weeks ago that I sent the Radio Newcastle station editor an email as well as a snail mail requesting the "Listen Again" feature but never received a reply. She, however, did and was told that they do not have the funds. Well, you know this is almost one of those Chicken and Egg questions. Do you get funds and then look for a program to spend it on or do you respond to the demand for a program and then go looking for funds? My guess is that it would be the latter.
We have a saying here: The squeaky wheel is the one that gets the grease :-) ! I'd be glad to write another letter sometime but maybe some letters from you guys would be more effective. Just a thought.
You've been a long time in the bathroom, Sid!
Evening All!
I think Sid may be in his caravan's bathroom!
The email address I used to query, 'Listen Again' was:
tyne@bbc.co.uk
I've been searching for the email I received in reply, but can't find it. I think it must be stored on my old laptop, which I've been told I should be able to access when my 'replacement!' wireless router arrives???
I think it may help if you all took turns to write. Inga, I can't understand why you didn't receive a reply to your snail-mail. Perhaps the BBC can't afford the cost of stamps to the USA!
Hi again,
I've just written to Ian to ask him to promote this blog a few times more, and I said we'd love to hear from him too.
Hello chums...
Day Three in the Sids bathroom saga. T'was my idea to decorate the bathroom. I knew the skirting boards were getting on my nerves, so I have replaced them. Once that was done the rest was straightforward. Should be finished tomorrow, then its time for the kitchen. For some reason our cat has taken a dislike to the decor, and has started to remove some of it.
Jean has been a big help..she has gone out every day!!. Gilly has had a skive from her day unit this week, she keeps giving me the look that says 'mam will kill you when she sees the mess' then laughs.
What a busy bee, Sid. Sounds like you're making a good job of it though!
Maureen and Vivienne - thank you for 'The Newsreel' info. It's a shame I have been missing it, as it is one of my favourite 'Nightshift' features.
It would be so good if Ian could mention the blogging a few more times on air .... or - if he could drop an email about it to people who regularly contribute to the programme. I really believe we need Ian's help in our search for new bloggers.
I'm at school tomorrow so, more than likely, I'll be early to bed
(earlier than my usual 2:30 that is) .... so it looks like I won't be hearing "On Your Doorstep" tonight. Would one of you mind telling me what the topic is? It's lucky that I'll be able to catch it over the weekend. Then I'll be up to speed!
Night, night everyone.
A Bedtime Story!
Aging Aunt Mildred was a 93-year-old woman who was particularly despondent over the recent death of her husband. She decided that she would just kill herself and join him in death.
Thinking that it would be best to get it over with quickly, she took out his old Army pistol and made the decision to shoot herself in the heart, since it was badly broken in the first place.
Not wanting to miss the vital organ and become a vegetable and a burden to someone, she called her doctor's office to inquire as to just exactly where the heart would be on a woman. The doctor said, 'Your heart would be just below your left breast'.
Later that night........ Mildred was admitted to the hospital with a gunshot wound to her knee.
Hi Hildie,
Loz talked about Thomas Addison, who was born in Longbenton, attended the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, then studied medicine at Edinburgh. He worked at Guy's Hospital, London and researched dermatology. Addison's Disease was named after him. However, he experienced severe depression and committed suicide by throwing himself head-first over a 9ft drop into Wellington Villas. He was buried in Lanercost, Cumbria. (If I remember correctly)
Loz's music was a song by Canadian singer, Fe-fe Dobson, entitled 'Everything.'
Inga, Ian read out your email about 'signs.'
Mornin All,
Loved the joke Vivienne, now I just have to remember it. Thanks for your resumé of 'the doorstep', I did hear it but you obviously have a better memory than me! I understand that Ian was flying out today and the next show from him will be a week on Monday. Hildie, your gardening for lovers is going to be on tonight apparently, so set your tape machine!
Hi Maureen,
My memory isn't that good, I had to make notes so I could feed back to Hildie, and anyone else who'd missed Loz's tale.
Isn't it windy today? I hope it dies down soon or all the leaves will be blown from the trees. Also, it always feels colder when the wind is gusting down the chimney.
Morning everyone,
I was just looking at the trees at the beginning of the week Vivienne, not long before the leaves drift down for me to collect. Although they take a while to break down, they are great for composting.
I fondly remember way back in the 1950's when a down draught of wind would send the smoke down the chimney and into the room. This could happen lots, and the only fuss made would be to open a door to let the smoke out. If that happened today people would be throwing 'ruined' and smoke damaged furniture into the street and contacting their insurers.
Must go now, have a shower door to put back up.
Hello Everyone!
I have two questions:
When do you go back to regular time in the UK? Here in the US we will not do so until Nov 2. I think you will go back earlier and when you do, all of the BBC programs will start earlier, I think. So it would help me to know.
Did any of you hear what Ian's news from Buckingham Palace was? I listened until 4:30 your time and never did hear about it.
Hildie I wanted to be sure that you know how much I enjoyed your country excursion description. I left it on the previous blog so I'll just copy it here:
"If I ever come to the UK, I sincerely hope to find a farm such as you describe. I was, as you all know by now born and raised as a "big city" [Berlin] gal but as such we probably appreciate the country more than the country folk do themselves.
Vivienne, yes, I was a little disappointed that I did not even get an acknowledgement of the snail mail, handwritten no less! I addressed it to the Station Editor as Ian suggested but since you at least had a reply, it may be better if everyone wanting to voice their opinion uses the address you used. Thanks for letting me know about Ian reading one of my emails.
Are there any Welsh folks among[st] you or someone who could tell me what the following means: Diolch yn fawr i chi!
Well, I think that's enough questions for one day :-)
Hello everyone,
Inga the Welsh phrase means 'Thankyou very much'..the i chi bit is used to emphasise the greeting. Don't get the wrong idea about me, I looked it up.
Hi everyone,
Sid I'm impressed at your translation, and also how you managed to look it up. Well done!!!
I saw a gentleman gathering up leaves a few days ago, and I thought of you and my Dad, and both of your composting efforts. I was tempted to pick up a handful of leaves in Hexham car park last week, as the colours were so vibrant and beautiful.
Inga, we always put back our clocks at 2am on the last Sunday in October. (Spring forward - Fall back). So we will have an extra hour of the Nightshift that morning, if all goes to plan and we don't get 'Five Live' instead!
I missed hearing the feature about Buckingham Palace. I woke up about the time you stopped listening. Maybe Ian mentioned it at the beginning of the Nightshift, before you logged on. As I recall, you don't usually hear the first half hour, do you? Often Ian reads your emails near the beginning of the show, then he often repeats them between 4.30-6am.
Hi You All - as they say here in the south!
Thanks Sid, for the translation. It's not always what you know but where to find the answers!
Thanks, Vivienne for answering my other question. Most weekdays I can listen the first 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Sat, Sun, Mon and some Thursdays I miss up to 1 hour at the beginning.
Hildie, what a wonderful book this Gardening for Lovers is. I am enjoying that very much.
Saw on the BBC News website that there is flooding in Spain. I hope that Ian is not having to deal with that on his vacation.
We are having the most marvelous fall weather at temperatures which are quite normal for us [low to mid 80's F, ca 25 - 30 C] but there's been a lot of sunshine, no humidity, and very little rain. What are the temps like in Newcastle on a summer day? Oh dear, here I go again with the questions, but, after all it is already another day for you!
Mornin All.
Sid, I hope you almost finished in the bathroom, your family must be quite desparate by now!
I've just been looking at the video of Jonathan Morrell attempting a news bulletin for 'look north', very entertaining! I like him, he has such a sense of humour, although it took me a while to warm to him at first. Inga, Jonathan is a daytime presenter on Radio Newcastle who accepted a challenge to present a news bulletin on our local BBC news programme. It's worth a look: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/content/articles/2008/08/21/jonathan_miles_challenge_feature.shtml
Hello everyone, our nice day is taking it's time to break through here in Gateshead.
Maureen, it's Jonathan Miles you are thinking of. Like you it took me a little while to get used to him, but he has shown himself to be a nice chap. His interviews are so sincere, and he is really funny.
Inga, the weather where you are sounds lovely, at the moment the average temperature for this week in Gateshead is forcast to be about 15 degrees C, a couple of days are predicted for light rain showers. The evening temps should average out at 8 degrees C.
Thanks Sid, of couse you are right about Jonathan. I'm pleased to see that you've made it out of the bathroom. I can remember having both a new kitchen and a new bathroom fitted. Fortunately not at the same time! An experience not to be repeated in the near future!
Hi everyone!
Vivienne, thank you so much for the trouble you went to on my behalf. I read my notes on Friday (and was also curious about what Maureen had said about "Gardening for Lovers") and so made myself to stay awake and listen that night. Consequently, because of the two of you, I heard Ian talking about the book I had sent him and I heard Ian and Lawrence doing this week's "On Your Doorstep" about
Thomas Addison. I have heard of Addison's Disease but had no idea that Mr. Addison had been a native of the North East. I'm feeling quite knowledgable now about local people and events, thanks to Lawrence, are you?
Ian said that, while he was away on his holidays, we had to be kind to Michael Poulter. Does anyone know when Michael's first "Nightshift" is? Does anyone know what he does when he isn't doing "The Nightshift"? I suspect he is the person I once heard Ian interviewing about The Eurovision Song Contest". I'm nearly sure it was him. He knew just about everything that there was to know about it!
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