Yes it has been 40 years

Another mid week day off and another bad weather day. So it is a low level run from home (no car anyway). Then I realise I have the opportunity to go somewhere I have not been for nearly 40 years, despite being able to see it from my house. Lily Fell is a small and fairly insignificant bump just outside Staveley. Before the bypass was built we used to go sledging there as kids. 

Recent attempts to summit have been thwarted by the presence of cattle in the field but now they have gone indoors, so I finally get there. But no time to linger, it is cold and windy with snow showers. I press on down and onto Ashes Lane. Cross the main road and work my way back to Cowan Head exploring some footpaths I have not been along before. Then home along the river.

A nice hour out but not to hard as it was club training in the evening. Two runs in a day, long time since that has happened.

Russell

Windy Scar

Thursday 15th January

Day off so it must be out for a run. It is very windy so I rule out the high fells and head for Scout Scar. I opt for the usual route. Across the race course and over to the pile of stones. It is very windy, at times hard to run into and it takes your breath away. On to Helsington Church and down to cross back over the Brigsteer road. Through the woods to Barrowfield Farm. Climb back up to the scar on along to the summit mushroom. The wind is more behind now and the running cold but pleasant. Back down to Bradley Field and the car. Good to be out but at times a struggle.

Russell

Training reward

Wednesday 14th January 2015

Recovering from cold over New Year. First run on Saturday, good off road run with the Monday group and a good training session tonight. Think I have earned this.

Russell

Wansfell

Nice to have a walk with MC on Monday afternoon before his return to university. Great views from the summit.

Russell

Not Skiddaw

Saturday 3rd January 2015

The weather was poor in the morning but set to improve later in the day. So after a bit of work we head  over to Keswick. It is pretty miserable through Ambleside and Grasmere but over Dunmail things get better. Patches of blue sky appear and the summits start to emerge. 

We park up and set off on the days adventure. This basically einvolved a circuit of the main street going in and out of all the usual gear shops with a stop for soup and sandwiches in one of Keswicks fine cafes. 

Each time I step outside and look up Skiddaw becomes more and more splendid. Bathed in the afternoon light. The dying bracken glowing orange highlighted by the dark patches of heather. The summit sporting the lightest sprinkling of snow.

But I have had a stinking cold since Monday and not been out making this even more hard to take.

Being ill really sucks!!

Russell