Tour of Pendle 2012

The Tour of Pendle - 17 miles and 4,500 ft of climbing up and around Pendle Hill in Lancashire.  YC was back for his 4th race yesterday, in company with Paul Hainsworth and Jane Saul.  Paul was running, Jane was our official support and team photographer.  The overnight rain and clag mostly cleared, leaving a cool but clear day with clouds occasionally brushing the tops.   There was mud and peat galore, making for a very exciting descent of "Geronimo Hill" midrace.  There was a huge field of 350+ runners, no doubt attracted by the smart T shirt included in the £7 entry fee.

The Tour is a race of 2 halves.  Fast running over the first half, then 3 big climbs on the second half culminating in the slog up Big End.  YC finished in reasonable order in 3 hours 7 mins.  Paul was just over 10 mins behind.  Jane witnessed the fun and games on the descent of Geronimo to checkpoint 4, then strolled up Pendle Hill to watch us on the return leg.  Over a debriefing cup of tea and bowl of soup in the village hall, the consensus was that this had been a grand day out.  And what's more, the raging fellrunner's thirst was not wholly slaked by the tea...

pre race prep

the lead runners descend Geronimo Hill

YC running so fast that the camera can't keep up (possibly)

Paul on the final run-in

OMM 2012

YC ran the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) with Paul Hainsworth last weekend.  We were in the A class - 40 miles of yomping/navigation from one checkpoint to the next over 2 days.  The event was held in the Howgills at Sedbergh.  Saturday was cold but beautifully sunny.  Sunday was cold and (not so beautifully) wet.  But we managed to complete the course - an anchievement in itself when over the half the field on our course dropped out.  Hills climbed included The Calf, Green Bell, and Wild Boar Fell.  The overnight camp was chilly, but Paul had brought a secret ingredient to fend off the cold: a couple of miniatures of Highland Park whisky.  And very effective it was too.

There is more detailed report on the NFR website (here).

Saturday's start

Paul heading for the Howgills

steep climbing in the Howgills

wet but cheery at the finish

Turbot or Halibut?

Alistair & Margaret Miller (YC's Canadian uncle & aunt) have been visiting Tynemouth and staying in four star luxury (possibly) at number 10.  The weather was rather cold and grey, but they found time for a bracing walk along the pier and a stroll to North Shields fish quay.  On Thursday night, we repaired to The Grand Hotel with Andrew & Diane for a very enjoyable dinner.  Fish was on the menu, and the following conversation ensued:
Diane - is this turbot?
Andrew - no it's halibut.
Diane - oh, I thought it was Thursday.
Andrew - so am I, let's have a drink.

Autumn Watch

YC took advantage of a beautiful mild autumn day and headed up to Cresswell on the Northumberland Coast.  After a run on the beach and quick dip in the sea (sans wet suit - chilly), he checked out the hide at Cresswell Pond.  A jack snipe was bobbing in the reeds in front of the hide, while lots of lapwings and common snipe sat on the mudbank.  Offshore a large pod of dolphins was feeding, giving tremendous views as they leaped out of the sea.

Meanwhile in Haddington (home to the Telfer family), the rodents have been making their presence felt.  JT returned from a weekend in the Lakes to be greeted with his prize for propping up the Man(or) Mouse competition.  Eek!

Man or Mouse?

Last weekend was a double fell race epic.  First off was Manor Water - 10 miles near Peebles - which YC scampered round in just over 90 mins.  This was followed by the Pentland Skyline near Edinburgh on Sunday - a longer affair of 16 miles, 16 (sic) hills, and just over 3 hours 30 mins of running.

NFR was represented at both (see left for the Manor Water start courtesy of Dougie Nisbet).  For those running both races, there was the added attraction of the Man(or) Mouse series.  YC didn't trouble the leaders for the Man prize (lowest combined total time).  However John Telfer (standing next to YC) achieved celebrity mouse status - "winning" the competition comfortably to claim proudly the Mouse title (for the highest combined time).  Before readers chuckle too much at this, bear in mind that JT ran 26 miles for the honour and only 21 runners managed both races.  JT also collected a bottle of beer for this efforts - so he wasn't complaining too much.

There's a more detailed report on the NFR website.

Never So Good

"Never So Good" by Howard Brenton is a play based on the life of Harold Macmillan who when Prime Minister famously said "They've never had it so good".  YC saw it last night at The People's Theatre, and very good it was too.  It ranged from Macmillan's time as an officer in the First World War, through his days as a minister in Churchill's government, and up to his tenure at No 10 Downing Street.  It was an amusing and interesting history lesson.  Hands up which reader (without consulting google) can name the British Prime Minister and American President at the time of the Suez Crisis?

YC took in some different culture on Wednesday - a popular music concert by Deacon Blue at The City Hall.  YC doesn't usually indulge in pop concerts.  But his social secretary (Katrina Pescott) was on the case and he duly went along.  And very good it was too.  With hits including Fergus Sings the Blues, Twist and Shout, and Dignity, Deacon Blue provided 2 hours of superb entertainment.  Readers won't be surprised to learn that whilst Katrina sang along with gusto to all the songs, YC sat quietly in his seat and didn't join in at all (possibly).

All of this followed on from a week sailing on the fine craft Stella Genesta with Mr & Mrs Rev T.  The autumnal weather was beautiful.  All the rain fell at night, and by day the skies were often blue with light winds.  This allowed time for the fine craft to sail to Beccles, explore the Chet, and tack up The Yare.  And of course, the crew found time to slake the raging maritime thirst.

  

 "A woman's work is never done."

As seen at Loddon Staithe - Mrs Rev T reaches for the mop whilst Rev T looks quietly on.

Rowena & Michael

Congratulations to Rowena Mistry and Michael Duff who are engaged to be married.  The happy event took place on a family holiday in Italy.  Michael reports that Rowena was there for the sun, while he was there for the vino (see below for conclusive proof).  Concerned readers might be wondering why Michael is drinking white wine and not beer.  Perhaps it's the London influence wearing off on Michael.  However YC ran reassure readers that Michael is still supporting Newcastle United rather than Chelsea or (horror upon horrors) Sunderland.