Odd couple of Weeks

It has indeed, been an odd couple of weeks! Have'nt actually ran for two weeks. Done a bit at work, in the gym and thats been it! I had a couple of days to get over the Ennerdale recce, then went to Killin, up in Scotland to celebrate my 50th!! The intention being to do a longish run up Ben Lawers, but the weather wasn't great and we had to drive up and drive back. Missed a couple of opportunities while on my four days on (...at work). Now I've been sorting stuff for our trip to Jura and the north!!!

Really excited about the Jura Race and our trip generally!! So much so, that for once, I/we are organised. Everythings packed and I'm sat at 6 o'clock, eating my porridge and hoping to be out, on the road, for half past!!! With that in mind, I'd best get on.......

Ennerdale Horseshoe - Race Route (almost!)

Had a decent day yesterday! Bumped into 'Daz the Slug', off the FRA forum before Moses' Trod. I ascended Herdus/Gt Bourne wrong as I turned left instead of right at Beckfoot Farm, ended up on the road and couldnt work path out visually. I climbed up onto the gap between Bowmans' Knot and Bourne instead. Then it was pretty much ok to Red Pike, descended through the scree. I went over High Pike instead of contouring round. When I got to Scarth Gap dropped down right/south and picked up the fence line, if you follow it along then back up steeply it brings you onto a path, which I then followed to the tarn. Again I confused myself slightly by leaving the tourist path to early. I left it at Innominate instead of Blackbeck Tarn. It was then I spotted a person (Daz) recceing so I followed him to contour round, and over towards Moses Trod and below Brandreth. Again this was an error. The ground out of Blackbeck, where CP3 on Ennerdale fell race, is is much better. After that it was ok. We missed Green Gable as we both had time issues. The decent of Kirk Fell ..where I left my flap-jack and nuts/raisins and 'tupperware' box!, was very, very loose down Red Gill(?) but its fairly short and I'd say quicker than the tourist route I'd say, and probably no harder in descent. Though I've not been down that way. After here its a long drag back when you're getting tired. Over Red Pike then take the obvious trod around Scoat Fell (to the left/south), then pich up another slightly higher trod as you contour round. Basically follow the wall all the way back!! Its pretty much a good run back over grass from there! The last bit through the woods is just a matter of keeping going up. Follow the muddy path, at a t-junction go left and tack a trod to the right across some tussocky grass. Over a style and up over grassy line to the top. Finally the long drop back down!! It was a good, tiring day. really good to meet Daz. Karen was a bit dis-chuffed at waiting at work for 40 minutes for me!! But fish and chips and Dandielion and Burdock finished the day off nicely! Bit knackered with slightly bruised/blistered heels, this morning!

Solway surprise!!

Its not really my intention to 'post' every day! But Karen had a very nice little surprise planned when I got in from work. In my head I was planning a little three mile stretcher round the back roads. When I arrived home she'd planned a nice picnic to take down the Solway!! :)

It was a very nice evening up here, fairly warm, the sun was out. We had a little walk to see if there was any wildlife about! Otter tracks!? (...no! as it happens!). Then a little sit with our pasta salad and a Cockerhoop, got a bit cold then came back home to a nice cuppa and the log-burner!! Very nice it all was too!

Cheers Kaz!! :)

BG Leg#2 'Recce'

Great day out today!! Ran out along the BG Leg#2 - Threlkeld-Clough Head-Helvellyn-Fairfield-Dunmail Raise. Too be clear, I do often feel somewhat fraudulent when I say 'BG Recce', as my atempt this year has been officially abandoned. I actually underestimated the time I would need to get the route clear in my head etc, plus my training was disorganised and interspersed with weddings etc. So the plan is to go next year. preferably before my next birthday, but failing that June or July 2013. I feel that it'll be a one-off, bust-or-break effort, because I'm not really sure I can keep(..get!?) focused for long enough to go for it again in 2014 as well!
Anyway!! Today went quite well, up until I thought I was on Watson's Dodd only to see Sticks Pass below!! ERROR!! It all felt so good until then...navigating in low cloud, I though I was bob on!! From there all went well. Kazzie was heading out too, but she'd driven out to Dunmail to, in theory, go up Dollywagon. I eventually dropped onto Grisedale Tarn, decided against the direct route and headed up the tourist path. Suddenly I hear her dulcete tones from above!! She's 2/3 up Fairfield, not where I thought I'd see her. I chased in vain, only to catch her sat in one of the shelters at the top. Then its back down...over Seat Sandal, pretty much found the ascent but requires further recce, and down off to Dunmail. Round in 4hr 28min. Well pleased.
Kaz caused me a little worry as she trailed in 20 or so minutes behind having come down the beck.
Finally a pint of Cockerhoop ( Sneck for Kazzie!) at the Travellers Rest. Good day!!

14.5mile/5,700'  4hr 28min

Kazzie's Snecklifter at Travellers Rest

In Search of Eagles!

Went to Haweswater, mainly as a Wainright bagging exercise for Kaz, but also to see if the Eagle(s) were still about. Set off late, as per usual, and climbed up to Raise via the wrong ridge!! But we got where we wanted and saw a large herd of deer too. Saw a nice pair of Ring Ouzel, briefly, on Kidsty Pike. Picked up the other target Wainrights and off up to High Street. Lucky spot of three Dotterels right by the trig. Very smart birds they were too. Then quick drop off via Mardale Ill Bell and the Nan Beild Pass. Never been down this way and its a lovely drop off to the tarn. There's three wee, individual 'bothy's' or sheep huts.It'd make a nice spot for a wild camp. Lovely sunny finish to a really nice little walk round. Finished off with a pint and tea, including Mega Trifle to share, in Carlisle while watching Man City beat Man U 1-0 :)

9 mile/2,700'

...an opening!

Now I'm here I've nowt to say!!!

It's a simple thing, a 'blog'!! I guess my intention, as I'm on the cusp of fifty, is to chart and attempt to focus and, maybe, enhance my life!! Who knows where it'll go!!