a weekend down south

Saturday - strolling through Regents Park and sampling the ales on the Euston Road with Emma Duff. Camera membership gave a 10% discount in the Bree Louise pub - fantastic.

Sunday morning - playing the piano at the morning service at St Pauls, Lisson Grove. Emma was joined in the congregation by Lois Gordon (see above). YC played The Blaydon Races at the end of the service and was surprised that quite a few of the congregation knew it.

Sunday afternoon - visiting Katie, Matthew & Phoebe (see above - James had to go to work). While the rest of the country were watching England take on Sri Lanka, the match of the day in Wonersh was YC v Matthew. After a few overs YC rapidly found himself in the Sri Lanka role - with deliveries whizzing past him at top speed and Matthew then scoring a hundred.

Sunday evening - a drink with Marshall Crawford in Holborn (beer at £2.11 a pint) and the West End (more expensive but excellent Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted).

Monday morning - walking along the Regents Canal with Emma to Kings Cross, spotting a grey wagtail and admiring the narrow boats passing through the locks.

Monday afternoon - travelling home for a rest.

those hills...

Well done to John Telfer and Tim Walker who correctly identified the hills in the banner photo. Tim commented that he was entering the "non-running section" as the fellrace clue meant nothing to him. For those who are keen on running, the Borrowdale Fell Race follows the ridge. Both can claim a small drink when next they see YC. In JT's case this will be appropriate, as he usually only drinks halves.

For readers still struggling with the hills, here they are in broad daylight. The are from the left: Great Gable, Green Gable, High Stile range (in distance), Brandreth, and Grey Knotts. In the foreground - Seathwaite Fell and Base Brown. The photo was taken from the Glaramara/Allen Crags ridge. Easy really.

LAMM 2011

left - picture postcard running beside Loch a Choire Mhoir
right - Paul plotting the course off Meall nan Ceapraichean (our Munro for the day)


YC ran the LAMM at the weekend with Paul Hainsworth. The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon is a 2 day event involving an overnight camp and route finding between checkpoints. It was held in NW Scotland near Ullapool and was fantastic. The weather was spot-on and a breeze kept the midges at bay. There was even a bar at the event centre on Friday night selling An Teallach ale from a local microbrewery. 50 pence from each pint went to the mountain rescue team, so YC felt obliged to sample a pint - greater love hath no man...

more detailed account on the NFR website

more photos

back on the fells

YC was back on the fells yesterday after the stress of the Old County Tops. The occasion was the Yetholm Hill Race. This enjoyable 8 miler takes in Staerough Hill and The Curr before returning on the Pennine Way. It's all off road with a grassy run-in (see runners finishing above). Whilst he didn't feel on absolutely top form, readers will be relieved to hear that he made it round without being sick (always a bonus) and enjoyed the race.

Those who require more detail can read Old Cheviot's account on the NFR website here.

Astute readers will have noticed that Birtley News has a new banner photo. Can any reader identify the hills in question and the vantage point from where the photo was taken? A small liquid prize awaits any correct entries. [Hint - a classic Lakeland fellrace winds its way though the hills, and the sun is setting in the west.]

A weekend on The Broads

left - an Old Hand at the helm on the River Waveney
right - moored in Beccles Yacht Station


Mimosa with 3 reefs down at Burgh St Peter

It was a tad on the blowy side for last weekend's sailing in Norfolk. Nevertheless the fine crafts Stella Genesta & Mimosa made the best of the weather with reefs down most of the time. Haunts visited included Cantley, Reedham, and the place they do like [Beccles]. As the sailing was strenuous, they even found time for the odd half of beer including Adnams, Wherry, and Narrowgate Small Beer - weighing in at the princely strength of 2.8% ABV.

a few more photos