Two Breweries Race 2010

YC ran the Two Breweries Race yesterday. This 18 mile point to point race is in the Scottish Borders near Peebles. It starts at Traquair brewery and finishes at the gates of Broughton Ales. The weather was superb with blue skies and a cooling breeze. The race can officially be described as "tough" with the last hill Trahenna being a killer. YC made it round in 3 hours 35 mins to finish 36th out of 140. Afterwards the tea, soup, and Border Reiver ale (hurrah) in the village hall was superb.

left - enjoying the descent of Stob Law
right - far reaching views

not enjoying Trahenna as much
photos courtesy of John Telfer
read Old Cheviot's report on the NFR website

Porridge, prunes, and the odd half of ale

YC spent last week sailing on the Norfolk Broads. He split his time between the fine craft Stella Genesta and the equally fine craft Mimosa. Both boats cruised on the Yare up to Thorpe Gardens before Mimosa rounded off the week with the Yare Navigation Race. The health kick on Mimosa - porridge and prunes for breakfast - went down well in some quarters (Lois) but not so well in others (Andy). Fortunately the healthy diet also included the odd pint of Norfolk's finest - the Adnams at Reedham Ferry was tip top as was the Greene King IPA at Coldam Hall.

The cunning plan to win the YNR (pray for a 3 reefer wind) was frustrated by the wind completely falling out in the afternoon and a never ending ebb tide at Reedham. The race was shortened to Hardley Mill and we were pleased just to finish - safely protecting our handicap for another day.


left - an Old Hand "does it praper" leaving Brundall
right - Stella at Reedham Street [both photos from Lois]


left - Mimosa running past Bramerton
right - Rev T furtles to his heart's content at Thorpe

left - the big boats (Pippa, Firebird, Raisena) storm past on the YNR

right - Lois plots which boats we will beat on the YNR (answer - not many)

more photos

1,000 beer free hours - greater love hath no man...

Could readers manage 1,000 hours without their favourite refreshment? Possibly no tea, coffee, or (heaven forbid) beer? Readers who blanche at the thought should consult John Telfer who has just emerged from 1,000 hours of self-imposed alcoholic abstention. The task was made even harder as he turned his ankle when out walking and so has been unable to enjoy his fellrunning. Here he is celebrating the passing of the thousanth hour with - you guessed it - a well deserved beer.

Grisedale Horseshoe

YC ran the Grisedale Horseshoe fell race today. This 10 miler vies for the honour of being the toughest medium race in the calendar - especially when the organisers added in an extra mile due to a problem with access through a gate. The race is held in Glenridding (Ullswater, Lake District) and takes in Catstye Cam, Helvellyn, St Sunday Crag, and a final heart-break climb back into Glenridding. All in all there's 5,000 ft of climbing. Conditions were pretty good with high cloud, a breeze on top, dry underfoot, and just a bit too warm in the valley. YC made it round in 2 hrs 37 mins, finishing circa 40th out of over a 100 runners. YC felt pretty good until some heel blisters (plus old age/lack of fitness etc) prevented a flat out descent at the end. However it's an excellent way to work up the raging fellrunner's thirst before duly slaking it with beer (John Telfer - NFR's man in temporary self-imposed beer exile - please note).

Sailing on The Suffolk Broads

YC spent the August Bank Holiday sailing on the Broads. Readers should note that although they are usually referred to as the Norfolk Broads, YC actually spent all of his time in Suffolk - the northerly wind and uptides meant that the River Waveney and Beccles were visited twice. This had its compensations - the Adnams at The Swan House in Beccles and the Dukes Head in Somerleyton was VG. YC was sailing on the fine craft Stella Genesta in company with the equally fine craft Mimosa.

Mimosa at Burgh St Peter

left - the crew of Mimosa up Beccles Church Tower

right - Lois points out the nearest place for a refreshing Adnams