New York Times, just missed out on God's County!  

 

A few miles further north........

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/travel/lost-in-time-in-englands-northeast.html?_r=0

LOL - always takes a complete stranger to point out what's been staring the locals in the face for decades:

 

Although the highway needs to be widened, the Conservatives will never do it, because the Northeast always votes Labour, and Labour will never do it, because no matter what, they can count on the Northeast to vote for them.

 

I didn't write that - honest!  If it had been moi the words self-impoverishment would have featured.

Despite having lived her now for over 20 years I only visited Durham for the first time last year (for the stunning Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition). I echo the writer's sentiments entirely, it's a beautiful city.

 

I'm always intrigued as to the ongoing furore about widening the A1; I've used it in heavy traffic up and down the length, and can't see what the fuss is about. Yes, it can be slow at times, but I guess having been brought up in the North West I know what real traffic is!