Time for the recce crew to be reunited, for the first time being altogether since before Covid! A long weekend up to Lancaster for some running in the hills and countryside. Caught the train up on Friday after work with Andrew, with a cocktail and a murder mystery and a chilled dessert....
...and met Alan and Tara at the Purple Palace (Premier Inn)....
On Saturday we ran a loop up into the Forest of Bowland and back to Lancaster, a marathon overall. A major research project had been undertaken in the Purple Palace the night before, to try to ascertain if grouse shooting would be underway (Duke of Westminster owns the forest, and grouse shooting starts on the 12th August), but happily (for us, and for the remaining grouse) the shooting had only been for a couple of days so far, and there was none this weekend. Confident we would therefore escape an untimely demise, we set off. First along the cycle path along the River Lune, to Caton and then up into the Forest of Bowland (which interestingly, for a forest, has no trees).
Nice run along the valley, with views up to where we were headed for...
After a few miles, it was time for checkpoint 1 and some vodka shots...
And a quick check of the trusty Marble-ometer (used to test if a gradient counts as a hill or not)....
Soon after, we found a unicorn (perhaps had too may vodka chocolates)...
Before embarking on a part of the route that was a little "tricky"...
We continued the gradual climb up the ridge...
And had a checkpoint at the top, to admire the views....
From here, we continued along this ridge, before dropping right down and having a paddle in the stream....
Before heading up the ridge on the other side of the valley....
Our destination - The Ward's Stone, called for more vodka chocolates...
...before it started raining, so we legged it pronto along the ridge, taking in the "atmospheric" (or, cloudy) views....
Next destination was Grit Fell...
Before heading off the fells and into the valleys towards Lancaster, stopping to look back at clouds gathering on fells.....
In Lancaster, we had takeaway pizza near the castle, not a bad spot for dinner!
Day 2: caught the train up to Arnside, to do an LDWA route, The Silverdale Circuit, which with the run to and from the station, turned out to be another marathon.
I love this area so much; growing up near here, we used to come here a lot at the weekends for outdoor adventures, and so as well as being a beautiful part of the country, it has many happy memories for me! Not least, the Fairy Steps! Legend has it, that if you can climb the steps without touching the sides you will see a fairy at the top/ the fairies will grant you a wish. It was a lot easier to get through as a kid, I can tell you!
There did look to be some fairies living around there, but upon knocking on their door, they didn't seem to be in (off busy granting wishes, I expect).
A few more miles of dreamy scenery, before Tara sustained a nasty insect sting, and there was a pause for first aid and to admire the views over Morecambe Bay.
Soon we approached Milnthorpe...
And had a checkpoint in Dallam Deer Park, where we were ambushed by the local ducks.
Before setting off again through the park.
And then back down the other side into Arnside, the train back to Lancaster, and another pizza by the castle!
Fantastic weekend - the recce team rides again, thank you guys!
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