Corfe Castle run

Many were called but few are chosen, well few didn't think up excuses fast enough. I invited 6 people to come for a Tuesday night run in the Purbeck hills, but in the end it was just me and Simon.

Having parked in the dark shadow of the castle we started the run up towards Nine Barrows Down.  We followed the excellent track on the way up with the guns of Lulworth range booming behind us. As we approached the top our enthusiasm to reach one of Dorset Marilyns meant we left the track and on the way down struggled to rejoin it.

Crossing the road to Ballard Down we ran along the side of the hill before turning for the steep climb to the Obelisk. Luckily there was a plaque we could pretend to read as we caught our breath.

Once through Studland we ran through sandy heathland and woods back to Corfe Castle.  This was a mix of small road and forest tracks, at that time of night only over looked by deer and rabbits.

We both agreed that we should come back in the daylight because it was a great route and the views over Poole Harbour and Swanage must be amazing.  I have only included this photo of Swanage to prove it came out... sort of.

The search for hills continues

Having started the new year with a new job I am struggling to get some miles in. The Grizzly is fast approaching.

The new job is going well, thanks for asking, but there is a distinct lack of hills around Bournemouth Airport in the Stour Valley. Lunchtime runs are short and flat, not great training for a long hilly run.

Plans for 2011 are still a bit vague. On the horizon are a couple of days backpacking on Dartmoor, a Scotland trip, the next section of Offas Dyke, the Grizzly and a possible support run on the Oner. Actually when I think about it looks like a good year on the way.

If anyone knows how I can get from Hay on Wye to Monmouth by public transport, I would be grateful to hear.

The Full Monty Cute

Crewkerne Running club organise a great cross country race.  Apparently it is around the grounds of Montecute House but because of the thick freezing fog on Sunday I did not catch a glimpse of the house.  I even managed to not spot one of the trees on Ham Hill and ran into it, but that is another story. The 10 mile race consists of 10 hills, some of them requiring the use of hands and feet to get up, separated by muddy and icy paths. My time was 1 hr 58 mins which considering how many hills I had to walk up I am pleased with.  The winners time was 1 hr 11 mins  which is amazing thinking about the hills.  That's it no more running (till next year). That is me on the far left trying not to fall down the first hill. Photo gratefully taken from gallery link on website. Full Monty Cute Website

Book review : The Natural Navigator

I came across this book after reading a review on the Skills for wild lives site.

The blurb on the back of the book says "Put away your map and look up from your GPS". Navigating without a map and compass is not really what this book is about for me.  It is about appreciate more of your surroundings. There are lots of interesting practical facts and tips about navigating using the environment around you. Where does the sunrise through the year, how the stars rotate on the celestial sphere.

This is not just a manual. The information is also combined with history and folklore. Lots of research has gone into navigation techniques used by older cultures.  I won't be giving up the map and compass, in fact I have still got a lot to learn but I will try and be a bit more observant.  I will probably reread some of the sections but this more a comment on the reader rather than the writer.

There is a link to the book on amazon on Nicks Skills for wild lives site

 

Short trip around the Mynydd Du (Black Mountain)

We set off early for a much anticipated thrip to the Brecon Beacons, this meant that by the time we reached Neath we were ready for breakfast.  This was to set the tone for the rest of the trip as you will see.  The first cafe we came to was called "Nu cafe" and it was marvellous.

The camp site at Dan-yr-Ogof caves was closed for the winter but walked though to the path that leads up the Afon Haffes and then up on to the ridge which leads to Fan Hir.  The only rain shower of the day blew over us as we reached the ridge.

After lunch over looking Llyn y Fan Fawr we continued along the ridge before turning south above Llyn y Fan Fach.

Fan Foel

Llyn Fan Fach

We camped near the river Afron Twrch (SN801196). One of the ground rules for the trip was that we all had to bring our Argos Hike-lite tents. In the night we had some heavy rain for a few hours and the tents stood up very well to it. Luckily it was not very windy as I am not too confident in the poles but for £20 and 2kg it is a great buy.

For supper we had "Look what we found" Chilli con carne and Smash followed by cake and custard and mulled wine. Louis has recently bought an Eydon Kettle which he was keen to try. We had a cannister stove for the food and the kettle for drinks. The Eydon kettle boils water so quickly that we could hardly keep up with the coffee consumption.

In the night the rain stopped and the skies cleared.  A cold start was improved by cinnamon porridge and too much coffee. We followed the track through Carreg Goch, a collapsed landscape of shake holes and crags.  All too soon we were heading downhill to the road.

Feels like -10

We have got a trip to the Brecon Beacons planned next weekend.  However I am beginning to hate metcheck.com.  It may not be entirely their fault.

 

Update the next day : Now it says Sunny 8 deg C.  Lesson learnt don't look at long term forecast.

To work

It is only a short walk to work but sometimes I have to remember to look around.