Langlee was our start point for this Saturdays jaunt, heading in the direction of Threestoneburn. All three happily skipped off, we didn't actually, up the first climb to Langlee crag and over the top past the grouse butts and into the wood.
It was wet underfoot but at this point were still by-passing the puddles. The wood was dark, particularly after the bright morning sunshine and it get steadily thicker & darker. The ground conditions alternated between a carpet of very soft pine needles and very wet peaty sections.
The two old stagers were quite happy for the young pretender in his sexy skins to take the lead, especially at long boggy strip. 'Be careful' Don warned. 'It looks a bit soft.'
To late. Simon ploughed into the bog up to his pants.
'Oh dear!' we screamed, wetting ourselves. "It's all gone Peat Thong"!!!!
We thought Saturday morning might be on the wet side, so to play safe, we headed for the hills. The higher the better, we thought - how about Yeavering Bell?
Well, as you can see, the track down to Gleadscleugh had turned into a burn but our feet were wet long before we reached this point.
Up onto Akeld Hill and then following a sheep track through to the Bell, standing at 361m. The top was bitterly cold, so we spent 30 seconds to take a photo of the flooded plains below and the hot footed it down to shelter.
Donald was in good form, as usual. As you can see, thrived in the wet conditions. I bet Sue had said to him when he left home, "Donald, don't get your feet wet." If you look closely, he has the face of a naughty school boy!!.
Shame Simon couldnt join us, we had a great morning.
Until next time... ...
Here's how & how not to run the Chevy. Below are a few of the options. You can add your own later if you wish.
Donald approaching Cheviot Knee. Keeping his eyes closed in the hope he can't see what was to come.
Glen laughing his way to the top of Cheviot. As if he'd been released from the 'home' for the day.
Alison warns the photographer that it's dangerous to stand in the road, just as she's run over herself.
Grumpy Plodder practices his only tap dancing routine whilst approaching the Careyburn bridge.
Once again, Glen adjusting his sports bra proving that cross dressing is an option for next year.
And Jack, showing the best way is to love every step. As if the race itself was the girl of his dreams.
Just a quick thanks to all who ran and made the day special, to those who helped out and gave up their whole day for us, to the marshalls who I failed to kiss and those I did can keep it our secret but especially those who put the whole event together deserve a special thanks.
Well done - it's just a shame the run was such 'bloody' punishment!!
Our punishment for this Saturday was to run the front half of the Chevy. Starting at the Careyburn bridge, we headed off towards Broadstruther, with the initial aim to iron out the route to Cheviot Knee and then up on to the top of Cheviot itself.
Unfortunately, the weather was such that a 20 yard vision was about all that was possible, making the task of finding our best way for next weekend, virtually impossible. Our secret weapon, was the experienced 'Sherpa Porteous'. Having Harry as our personal guide for the day was hoped to guarantee the best path.
Unfortunately, the sherpa had attempted to empty the High Street establishments of their 'falling down beverages' the night before and his head was foggier than the atmosphere. There was one benefit though. Even the Grumpy Plodder managed to hang on in at the back, to a pace that for once didn't embarrass or humiliate him.
On we trundled past the Knee and up to the top.(815m) The views, as you can see, were foggy at best but our spirits were boosted by the Himilayan good luck flags & messages which adorned the trig point.
The downward journey was to be less enjoyable. The Grumpy Plodder was 'down' within 400 yards of the top and had to walk the remainder of the descent as the terrain was too robust for his delicate frame. The group kindly trod an easier path for him to follow until we hit the burn at Harthope Linn.
Better progress was made back down the valley, on the track leading to Langleeford Hope until, once more there was another breakdown. One of Don's wheels had slipped off a muddy stone, bringing him to the floor, causing an axle to 'crack'. So the last segment of the morning was at a gingerly pace back the the motors.
Once again we had a damned good run and thanks again for the great guidance of "the sherpa".
Tackled the back half of the Chevy route this morning as the Cheviot 2000 runners were on the front section. Was a bit wet underfoot on the west side, the peat was soft to the point of sinking by about 3".
Picture shows us huddled in the cairn at the trig point on top of Hedgehope, trying to get shelter as it was lashing down & freezing cold. The views were non existent as we were in cloud cover. We stayed just long enough to take the photo, then hot footed it down to Housey Crag and home. Our mantra for the morning was 'bacon & eggs'. You need something to keep you going! A great run with good company as usual.
The quote of the day must go to the Mountain Rescue Team who we ran past at Langleeford Hope. "You three need you heads examined" was their greeting. Quite right. So its off to the doctors on Monday morning then!!
Well, it's Saturday and it just had to be beer and a Curry.
A 7.00 am start! 'Pauline never made me get out of bed this early!' I grumbled. I asked it I could run in my jim jams with teddy still under my arm but from the look on Don's face I took that to be a no.'Different faces & a different venue, well a change is as good as a rest' he told me.
So we set off from Chatton, through Chillingham to Old Bewick. Then off road up to the fantastic ruins of Blawearie where we were allowed a thirty second rest to wipe the sleep from our eyes - and it well worth it. It was a super sunny morning and the views were terrific. Twenty minutes would have been better to take in our surroundings but we had to move on.'Pauline would have given us a longer rest' I grumbled.
Off we went heading in the direction Ros Castle. This was all virgin territory for me but knew not to worry, we had local knowledge & GPS to guide us. Gliding through an unmarked mat of heather was to end the mornings peaceful sanctuary.
"You've gone the wrong way you stupid bugger" was the harsh shrill from V. to Simon. Then ensued a domestic.
'Nothing like this happened when we ran with Pauline' I grumbled to Don. So through the period of 'no speaks' we made our way back via Chillingham Park - what a 'load a Bull' there is there - on to the road again.
At this point I had managed to catch up with Simon who declared, "I have one ice cold Kronenborg in the fridge waiting for one of us." Throwing down the gauntlet, I said, "Well you're not going to get it coz I'm going to be first back." and set off at '3' min mile pace to ensure I did but he tracked me all the way to the iron bridge where he flew past to claim the prize.
I must say he ran really well. It just proves, "You can't beat a Hot Curry after beer on a Saturday!!!"
As Sunday creeps closer and the temperature rises, my confidence is beginning to plummet. Why is a grumpy old man running 26 miles when he could be having a 'lie in', then bacon and eggs and the sitting in the garden in the sunshine, for the rest of the day, reading the papers.
Well that's great. Everyone doing fantastic events and rising to their individual challenges. Last Sunday was a terrific showing from all concerned. The Cheviot Summit was a huge success with great runs from all participants and the London marathoners put in three monumental efforts. Congratulations all round.
So, what have I been doing whilst everyone been carrying out heroic deeds. I've been making myself sick. The last 3 weekends my long run has been on my own. God what poor company I am. No one to grumble to but me! I'd have a good moan and then have to tell myself to shut up and get on with it.
Last week did 18m in the hills. Humbleton to Housey Crag & home. Stopping at the gate at the base of Cold Law for a pic. (I'm the fat one in green.)
This Saturday ran 20m on roads. Kimmerston to the Hortons & home. (To knackered for a pic this week.) So the grumpy plodder is struggling to keep himself going.
So, next weekend, if anyone fancies being moaned at & abused, I'm up for a bit of company - coz I'm sick of myself!!!!
Well. Just look at the faces of these two specimans. Both smiling and having fun on the Carey Burn path. Of course, the laugh was, once again, at the Grumpy Plodder's expense. To empathise with red nose day yesterday, the kit of the morning was obviously red, as you can see.
Once again I was late. Not being aware of the kit regime and not having the time to change, I wore white!
Our route took us along the Plantation path, Happy Valley, Carey Burn, Broadstruther, Commonburn, Gleadsclough, Humbleton and eventually, thank god, home.
Running the track on the north side of Humbleton, Mountain Girl caused a major pile up. She had built up a head of steam on the homeward journey when she came to a sudden halt. It was an emergency stop! In true 'Carry On' style, Stadler & Waldorf ploughed into the back of her. It was, yes, you've guessed, frogs on the line. It was the only wildlife of the day - oh - except the Grumpy Plodder!
Until next week... ...
Stadler & Waldorf are enjoying their running so much these days, it was decided to make a 7.30am start. That's why I'm not in the picture, I slept in and due to the lack of preparation time, had to run in my Superman jimjams!
Heading out towards Gains Law from the ponds, into a strong gusty breeze, the two athlete shown, cut through the wind like a hot knife through butter. The Grumpy Plodder on the other hand, with a much greater drag co-efficiency tackled it like a tall ship sail, spending more time going backwards.
The athletes were very kind though, waiting for me at the top of Hellpath, just long enough to snap their 'no sweat' profiles. Mine was gushing buckets as usual.
Well, there we are for another week. Good luck to those on the Seahouses trip tomorrow. How you can run after fish & chips, god only knows.
Oh, by the way. We did spot others running between Gains Law & Commonburn. If not mistaken, one seemed to fall down in the bog. We won't name names, we're much to respectful for that but it will be interesting to see if they confess!
Until next week... ...
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Adam said:
You got wetter than I did when I was surfing, by the looks of it. read more
on Yeavering Hell. -
Baggy said:
Glad to hear someone else was out there wading along the footpaths, Dolly and I squelched along the St Cuthbert's... read more
on Yeavering Hell. -
Adam said:
Great pics Nick. Carrying extra kit in the form of your camera...that's dedication! read more
on Chevy Chase! -
You three are alarmingly well co-ordinated again..... like a boy band, all in the same colours, but different styles to... read more
on It's All Gone Peat Thong!