Recce #1: Mist Over Pendle

Right. 

After being inducted into ultra marathons this year, and still having full use of all body parts, I have decided now is the time to entertain the idea of a 100 mile race.

I am going to enter the Red Rose 100, an event next May that is organised by the LDWA (long Distance Walkers Association). It starts and finishes in Rivington which is near my home, and goes around and about the area for, well, 100 miles I suppose. There is no guarantee that I'll get a place on it, it's a bit like the London Marathon, you throw your name into a hat, and hopefully someone pulls it out. 

So, in the absence of the option of bribing someone in authority to give me a place, I am pinning my hopes on influencing Fate, so I am hoping really really really hard, so hard that it hurts, that I get a place, and am demonstrating to Fate my commitment to the idea by practicing on the course already. 

So, this Saturday I went on a recconaisance of 3 of the stages with my Mum and Dad, who have been really kind and totally taken the idea on board, sacrificing a leisurely Saturday morning, and printing out instructions, packing picnics and organising complicated transport details so that we don't walk 17 miles in one direction and then realize we don't have a car/ the right keys for the right car/ any keys/ other misfortunes. 

We started at Spring Woods Picnic Site in Whalley, and began the first mile uphill through a golf course through the early morning dew and flying golf balls. The next couple of miles I successfully navigated, aided greatly by them being in a straight line, then we headed up onto the Nick of Pendle, where the first navigational mishap befell us. As a poor workman blames his tools, I will blame my instructions, which mysteriously stated there were several paths all going in the same direction, so take whichever you like the look of, and then after the second pile of stones on your right, take the path on the right. Piece of cake. Thus instructed, we contentedly trekked on our way in search of stones. On and on, and on a bit more, until we did find some stones and turned right down a path. But no! These stones had been on our left! And we were now heading way off route! Sigh. To cut a long detour short, using my Dad's GPS and some resourcefulness we found the proper path, took it, and stopped for cake at the 2 hour point, and all was well with the world again.

 

Revived by fruit cake we started the next bit, which said 'head across the moor'. In the absence of any further help, such as a direction, I followed a runner, who has waved at us and looked like he knew where he was going. He did, and we were headed the right way. Ah ha - always trust a runner!

Rather bizarrely, we then ran into a big group of walkers who my parents started shouting 'Hello! Fancy seeing you here!' at. Honestly, in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere they still know everyone. It was actually a group of LDWA people, so I suppose given that, it wasn't all that surprising they should all know each other given they are in their natural habitat, but still.

Then it was on, downhill (hurrah!) to Newchurch in Pendle, where the famous Witches Galore Shop is to be found. For those of you not au fait in the tale of Pendle and it's witches, think back to 1612, and look at this: http://www.visitlancashire.com/inspire-me/pendle-witches/the-story-of-the-lancashire-witches

All this discussion of witchcraft, and having made it to the end of the first stage of instructions signaled lunch time, and we pitched up at a handy bench in Barley for sandwiches and crisps. The LDWA group reappeared and shouted some witty banter at us on seeing us sat down and having refreshment. I always had an idea that walkers were a polite and well mannered bunch. Apparently not. 

Roused by this interruption to a pleasant lunch, we hit the road for stage 2 of the walk. Then it was up onto Pendle Hill for the second time, but this time all the way to the top. Perhaps there is something about the place - it's true that whenever my Mum and I go up Pendle Hill it it is always awful weather! Sure enough, after a sunny morning, as we arrive at the bottom of the hill, the mist rolls in and it starts to rain....

 

And then it's back down the other side, and immediately it stops raining. Just as well because the view coming down is cracking! Still not sure what the view from the top is actually like, but this is what it looks like from the bottom in the sunshine.

 

Conversation turned to tea and scones, and if we would be back at the car in time to make it to the village tea room next to the car park. There were some doubters among us. The mood dipped. We walked a little further. Into my Mum's mind sprang a memory of a tea room in Downham; the end of this stage of the walk. The mood lifted. A field or two was even jogged! And we were rewarded by tea, a scone and the confidently claimed 'best apple pie in the world'.

Now everything seemed mighty fine, as we started the last stage, which looked the easiest - short and flat. Shortly after leaving Downham, we crossed a field that was home to hundreds of cows, who all abandoned their grass chewing, and headed straight for us, at a relaxed, yet sinister, pace. Each time we turned to look behind, they would be another few meters closer.... eyes still fixed on us in a beady stare. Like they were under a spell. How disconcerting. The instructions stated to 'head for the gate in the fence 200 yards away.' It was unclear if we would make it. At the gate we all tried to be polite and let the others through first, while hopping up and down and glancing nervously at advancing cows and resisting the urge to panic and scream and flatten each other in our eagerness to jump over the fence. We made it to the other side. As to the cows, I couldn't say, I paid them not another thought once I was through that gate. I hope they've gone by next time. 

Then it was up and down another hill and here we were - Sawley Abbey no less, where Katie and Seb got married less than 2 months ago!

Then it was over the River Ribble and the last couple of miles were lovely, and easy and flat along the fields by the side of the river. We made it back to the car park, and picked up a brew from the village shop and finished up the chocolate brownies. 17 miles in 7 and a bit hours. Champion!

Poppies

Yesterday I went for a last run in London before I have to migrate north for the winter today (yes, that is the wrong way).

It was very warm and very sunny, and I will miss it tons and more. But I will not dwell on this point, as the summer has been the best. In the wise words of Dr Suess, who I consult in moments such as these "Do not cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." And so, let us smile from ear to ear, and remember "Today was good. Today was Fun. Tomorrow is another one". 

My watch, I think anticipating the colder weather, has given up with the whole idea of working. And so, as with many things, if you want it doing properly, you might as well do it yourself, so I have returned to measuring my runs by hand (/computer).

I ran down to the River Thames, which I have enjoyed running alongside a lot recently, and over London Bridge to the south side, and then east to Tower Bridge, to return to the north side and back home. Imagine my surprise on seeing this!

The bridge! It's open! I am stuck in the south! How do I return to the other side!!! Filled with doubt, I grasped the break in proceedings to rest against the wall and take some snaps and gather my thoughts. 

The moment passed (as all tight spots do) along with the ship, and the bridge lowered, creating an opportunity to visit The Tower of London on the other side. There is an installation there at the moment, called "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red". From 5th August to 11th November this year the artist /designers Paul Cummins and Tom Piper are installing 888,246 red ceramic poppies (one for each British military fatality in the First World War) around the moat of the Tower to commemorate the 100th anniversary year. The last one will be planted on the 11th November. So I supposed it's about a third of it's way to being completed. Already it is jerking to see visually how many there are already. 

A beautiful and haunting sight at the same time.

They are going to sell the poppies afterwards, to raise millions of pounds for six service charities: http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/about-the-installation