5 posts from May 2009

Nick in action

Here is the latest news from our racing correspondant..

"Nixdown is certainly coming into form at the right time and seems to have recovered from the bone spavins and painful fetlock he had earlier in the season. Stable mates Donald and Dolly ran very well at London and have been training with Nixdown over the gallops. Nixdown is due to run in the 9.00am at Edinburgh next weekend, its a long race but he's carrying less weight and the soft to good going should suit his long stride. His trainer reports that he is running well and as long as he stays injury free this week and gets his oats he should be worth backing. This confidence is shared by the bookies, the much fancied Nixdown is now the odds on favorite! He certainly looks a picture in training, light on his hooves, well groomed and with a lovely glossy mane."

Good Luck in the Edinburgh Marathon Nick J, Nick B (and mystery runner Nick A?) Think you will all do us proud.

It'll never rain...

Well it has been a busy few days for WRC in the Harthope valley. On Friday the Famous Five set out, in glorious sunshine, on bikes, laden with raspberry muffins and lashings of coffee. The Good Doctor was entrusted with the pannier of treats and later attributed her failure to reach the top of Skirly Bank in style to this lopsided burden. The rest of us had other excuses; loose chains, dodgy gears and loose knees, etc etc.

The laughter of the Green Woodpecker jeered at us as we pedalled along the valley. "People used to believe that the call of the yaffle meant it would rain soon." I told the others, we all smiled smugly as the sun warmed our happy faces. At Hawsen Burn we kindly decided to relieve the GD of her load, and of course no sooner had we poured the coffee and shared out the cakes than the heavens opened soaking us to the skin....

On Saturday I returned for an early morning run, another sunny day with only a wispy cap of cloud on Hedgehope. I spotted a familiar car by the burn, Mary, Michelle, Kris and Nathalie must have already left for their epic run in the hills, I left a handful of cherries for them on the windscreen. I then set off ignoring the still laughing woodpeckers, why can't these birds stick to making cider instead of rain? I pklodded up Cheviot, then took the Chevy route down to cross the burn and up Hedgehope. The plan was to recce a great line through the peat hags, sadly by the time I reached Cheviot summit Hedgehope was hidden in great dollops of cloud, so I just went upwards until I hit the fence line and turned left.A lovely descent down past the crags and back to Hawsen Burn and I didn't get wet. Ha ha ha, you didn't get me that time Rain Bird...

Cap of mist

Nathalie's Run

Thanks to Nathalie for organising such a splendid birthday run from Old Yeavering this morning, a dozen of us set out up the track to Easter Tor. The goats were down, young kids with the herd grazing on the lower slopes of Yeavering Bell. It was blustery with sunshine and fine showers, rainbow weather. We taught Nathalie the well known old English saying " A rainbow seen on your birthday; means bonne chance is on its way". Fuelled by fried eggs we reached the rocks on the summit. The party continued on Yeavering Bell, sadly I had to leave and missed the Gefrin picnic, very disappointed as the food sounded great...

 Happy Birthday Nathalie

Nathalie Birthday Girl

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Coldlaw Summit

It has become my ritual to celebrate each birthday with a run to the summit of a hill, its a gift to myself, a gesture of gratitude. Its a time to think about runs in the year just past and to dream of more adventures to add to my running story. Its getting to be quite a tale, the old parchment getting worn and bog stained as the miles clock up, and with the frequent retelling and wild embellishments of each episode.

How times have moved on.... now we have this computerised on screen story, a collective narrative of shared runs full of bravery, comraderie and laughter. Tales peopled with almost mythical Merry Men, Cheviot Fairies and fleet footed men and women and small hairy dogs....

So this year I battled into a formidable wind and ran to Cold Law summit with its far reaching views and freedom.  Whilst I skipped through the heather, I caught a glimpse of a strange creature, half woman half fish sitting on a rock.....a mountain mermaid??? 

Hill Mermaid

Hedgehope and Cheviot from Coldberry Hill

Entries for this year's Chevy Chase have been pouring in and there are now only 20 places left! Hurry to guarantee your run or walk on the 4th July...

There are two weeks left before the deadline for the t-shirt design competition, we've already received some great designs. Why not fulfil those creative urges? Full details on the Chevy Chase pages.