Day 242 - Miles 237-238

Happy Bank Holiday Monday!

I think I did all of the walking, jogging and swimming that I am trying to do in this challenge as well as bumping, slipping and sliding today!

I decided to make the most of the bank holiday and arranged an outdoor swim via facebook with some friends, some new friends and some people we had never met before. I have made some lovely friends through doing these events so it's nice to open it to anyone. Trina, Emma, Emily, Pat, Tina, Chris, Jo, Verity, Rachel and I - we were today's team making the most of the sunshine! Poor Chris having to put up with so many women!

Meeting at Barden Bridge at 10.30, we left some cars with the clothes, towels and picnic at the finish point and drove up in the other cars in wetsuits to Appletreewick where we entered the water. Emily was a very good "pack horse" for the day, carrying a rucksack full of vital equipment like hot drinks and chocolate!

We started out in a very shallow part and meandered our way the 2 miles down the river back to the cars. It was a full list of conditions to swim in, from shallow rocky parts where you had to lie completely flat and drift down, bumping and bashing your way down, to deep parts where you can jump in. The group was well matched with some staying in the whole time, some getting out and walking parts, and I am very proud of Emma who's only 2nd time wild swimming, managed to stay in until she was very cold, and then walked down the towpath with her daughter Emily to keep warm and kept an eye on us! Most of the rest of the group are outdoor swimmers and hardened to the freezing cold water that we were swimming in!

My favourite part of the day and of this stretch of river is in the wood and swimming around the boulders. It's just so pretty, deep and magical I forget how cold it is. A friend once said "if we weren't swimming here, I'd be very jealous of us!" and this is exactly how I feel. Over more rocks, into the shallows and finally we all got out a short distance from the bridge - we were cold, it was very shallow and all were in need of our picnic!

A quick jog up the hill for a bit of warmth was in order and then stripping off in the field to get dry and nice warm clothes on before a long leisurely picnic! I hope that everyone had a nice time and that I haven't put Emma off swimming again..... must go out to the river more often....

Lovely pictures here.....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 241 - Mile 236

Sunday called for lunch and a stroll with Alice. Alice is my cousin's partner, and if I had to chose family she would definitely be on the list! We have both been really busy with work and the events that life has thrown at us over the last few months and we hadn't actually properly talked to each other since before I went on holiday! and that was 2 and a half months ago!

We headed out for lunch at the Roundhay Fox followed by a stroll around the park. A lady in the pub commented on how beautiful my name was and that she new it as a name for pigeon..... she corrected herself saying dove... you call it a dove!!! Just what I need, attacked by a squirrel one day and being called a bloody pigeon the next.... what will tomorrow bring!

It seems the walk was just what we both needed, talking, walking and being blown around a bit by the wind. Alice never fails to make me laugh, and says that she shall write my tragic squirrel incident into a script! I may even end up wearing it as a hat - bloody squirrel!

Anyway, a lovely walk, a few random pictures here and I completely forgot to take one of Alice and I - oh well that's an excuse to go out again!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 240 - Mile 235

So a squirrel landed on my head......... get your laughing over with now!

You wouldn't think that a leisurely walk with your brother and nephew to the local supermarket could be very eventful. We decided to brave the wind and walk to the shops rather than go in the car as miles were in order and Corin is starting a bit of a fitness kick.... well every little helps. Jen was in need of some well deserved sleep so Corin and I took Harper out in his buggy.

We walked through the park, taking pictures of the trees, and the funfair (it seems a signwriter has had a bit of a joke on Hancock's funfair, as when the doors at the front are open it just says "It's Cocks!" - well.... ).

We walked into Tesco's and as I was checking out some clothes Corin noticed someone's bag with "Corin" printed on it! If you have an unusual name you get quiet excited about seeing your name printed on anything - so I asked the man wearing the rucksack if I could take a picture!

More shopping was done, and we loaded up the buggy with shopping for the walk home. Back through the park and about 5 min after I had taken over pushing the buggy from Corin I was attacked! I kid you not! Part of a branch hit me full in the face with a squirrel attached to it. I screamed with shock and pain, as I tried to tell Corin to look for my glasses which had been knocked from my face! My only visible scar from this disaster is a slight scratch on my shoulder! All very funny now, and unbelievable, but ti happened and my nose still hurts and my headaches! Sympathy please!

Home for tea and a visit from Corin's friend Rob. Very lovely to see everyone, despite the tragic events of my day!

Pictures here...
Love Iona x

Day 238 - Mile 234

I am writing this from my living room..... I love that although the summer is going this does mean that a quiet evening in, music on, fairy lights and candles can be enjoyed.

This morning's jog wasn't great. I took my advise from yesterday and put on a hoodie before going out, but became too hot fairly quickly. Jogging is the ONLY time in my life that I would rather be too cold that too hot!

I got half way around, being annoyed at the grey clouds above and the fog that seemed to incubus the skyline, and felt really rather sick. If I hadn't stopped I think I would probably have been sick n the ark - not a good look, even at 630 the morning. So this morning I jogged halfway around the park, and walked the other half, before getting home and going back to bed for 10 mins.

I have felt fine for the rest of the day, so I think it's off with the hoodie and back to being cold for a bit! Oh well.

I am looking into the swim timetable now that Morley baths is open again... hopefully I shall be able to start swimming before work some days!!! I can't wait to be in the water - I miss it!

Today's miserable set of photos are here,

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 237 - Mile 233

Yesterday I didn't jog, I was ultra tired and it was raining so I had an extra 30mins in bed and it was bliss!

This morning, though was a different story. I got up dutifully, and made my way out onto the street! What shock I got when I realised that I probably should have put on a hoddie as it was cold! I think after yesterdays rain the general temperature has dropped! Jumpers all the way I think.

It was sunny though so I took advantage of jogging on the side of the road with the sun on and tried to avoid the shadows! As I jogged through the park though my fears were confirmed.... we are on the cusp of Autumn and some of the leaves have started to turn! I am going to try not to get too sad about the end of the summer and embrace the autumn! I wonder how long I will keep running in the mornings! Will definitely have to get some weekend miles in to catch up and get ahead I think! Se some pictures here...

Hope you are all having a nice day,

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 235 - Mile 232

Monday I got up tired and jogged around the park, spotting some of the spray paint on the road from all the work that is going on around here!

I was still pretty sleepy when I got home, but cheered up no end when I spotted the sunflowers when I went to pick a courgette to go with my lunch! Apart from the infestation of slugs and snail - I love my garden and the ability to grow lovely things from tiny seeds!

Check out the pictures here.....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 233 - Miles 227 - 231

I love Edinburgh!

After the Great Scottish Swim being cancelled, Trina and I decided not to waste a weekend being grumpy at home and decided to go to Scotland anyway! Friday night Trina picked me up from work, and by 10pm we were safely in the city that I love having a cuppa with 2 boys whom I love!

Saturday we started our walk down Princes Street. The crowds starting to gather the closer we go into the city. It is amazing how the city swarms during the festival, buzzes with a hive of activity.

After collecting some random tickets from the half price hut, watched some street theatre, we meandered our way over to Monster Mash for some lunch. It's a great little cafe and basically dinner and mash is what they sell! Simple and effective - it works!

We headed to watch a fairly dire comedy act, and the took part in a "Glee club" of sorts singing everything from war tunes to advert themes! It was great! But that is what the festival is all about.... a bit if this, a bit of that, some brilliant and some crap!

We made our way back through the city to Laurence and Gareth's flat, in time to watch The X Factor, have dinner, drink wine and then play board games. A lovely day in a city that walking is such a joy! Pictures here.

Love Iona xx

Day 231 - Mile 226

A calm peaceful jog I have had this morning. Oddly not many people around today, weird as it's not raining or a horrible day out either?

I decided to take a "trainer eye view" picture this morning when I left the house - poor trainers don't get much of a view! I like doing this at random, you get some amazingly good, and some amazingly crap photos! Today's pictures here...

I was glad for the calm, and spent most of the jog looking at the clouds! I always try to take in what I can when I am out as I know that I'll be sat at my desk, or running around the office all day, and sometimes you can go hours without knowing what is going on outside!

Am going to spend to weekend looking I think.....
No blog tomorrow or jog as I am baby sitting tonight and staying over, so won't get a chance in the morning. But hopefully a nice Bonnie Scotland one at the weekend! Roll on the weekend!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 230 - Mile 225

Well things are looking up this morning, the sun is shining which always makes me feel happier with the world. Also jogged a bit of a different route and noticed the above - any ideas? Seems to be a bodge job of one kind or another! And I keep looking at ariels as ours is so rubbish and Trina is being great and getting us quotes!

Jogging this morning was good, light and airy, although the noisy seagulls squawking as I jogged through the park cut through the silence, the rhythm of my steps, and completely grated on me!

Pictures here...

Home and packing as we are off to Edinburgh to see Lovely Gareth and Lawrence now that swim has been cancelled.... will update more with news on the swim when I know more. Maybe we'll transfer to swim in Salford Quays?

Anyway, must dash, washing to hang and cameras to charge!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 229 - Mile 224

Terrible Tuesday!

I am not known for my grumpiness, but today I am grumpy. I dutifully got up to run at 6.30am, in the rain, avoiding the slugs and snails and jogging round the dog walkers in their nice warm coats. Some pictures here...

However, during another 12 hour plus day, I received a text to say that the Great Scottish Swim has been cancelled/postponed due to Blue Green Algae!!! They are going to try to reschedule and if we can make it then I think we will probably still go, however the diary is quiet full for the next few weeks!

I have tried to stay positive and we may go to Scotland anyway.... will let you know, but for now, I am going to be grumpy, get a cup tea and eat cake - so there!

Love Iona x

Day 228 - Mile 223

Good Morning Monday!

After having 3 days off work, I was looking forward to getting back to work. We are busy at the moment so it was good to be able to get in early and get stuck in.

The sun was really shining this morning, so it was ok being out so early! It was really warm too, with dew on the ground making the park glisten.

I'm writing this after finishing work at 9.30pm, hence why it's such a short blog tonight!

See today's pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 227 part 2 - Mile 221 - 222

After we returned from this morning's swim, Trina and I met up with Jason, Tia, Ollie and Sarah for a spot of lunch and a stroll. Jason and Tia had to go soon after lunch so the four of us set off for a walk along the canal.

It was a hot sunny afternoon, and as Ollie had to go to work soon we just took a quick walk up to the nature reserve and back. It was really nice to be out on the canal in the sunshine, near the water. Lots of other people were making the most of their Sunday afternoon too, it was quiet busy!

The nature reserve is really nice in Rodley and apart from the odd aeroplane that passes overhead, you could be anywhere. The tall grasses and bamboo, the ducks and birds, and even a couple of kids dipping for bugs at the pond. Lots of lovely pictures here...

Hope you have all had a lovely sunny Sunday!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 227 part 1 - Mile 220

What a glorious sunny Sunday to go and get used to our wetsuits at the Lido! Trina collected me before 9.30 and we were the first ones in the Lido when it opened.

The sun shone through clear water, as we set about our mile training for today. I had forgotten my ear-plugs which made my swim a bit annoying as I kept feeling water in my ears! People take the mick out of my wearing ear plugs, but since I started I haven't had earache at all, got to be worth it I think!

As we plowed through the first few lengths, several people joined us. Some in wetsuits, down to one girl who had a bearly decent bikini on! By the time it was 10.30, the lane swim was quite full with about 10 people in all jostling for the space that it laned off. It's only a small space as the pool itself is a peculiar shape, more designed for fun swimming than serious swimming.

As I got out I check he watch and it had taken me about 40 mins. Not too bad for cold water! I poured myself a hot vimto from our flask, and turned to a man sitting next to our stuff. He wasn't very well at all, had got in in his wetsuit, swum a few lengths and felt really sick. I revived him with some hot vimto and talked to him until his friend joined him. They are both swimming in Scotland next weekend too, so I hope he can get used to the cold before then!

Trina finished after me, but I am sure she swam over a mile... she did admit that she lost count at one point! Unfortunately I forgot my camera so there are no pictures for this blog, sorry!

Love Iona x
365milesin365day@googlemail.com

Day 225 - Mile 219

Friday was a days holiday for me!!! I had booked it ages ago so that Helena and I could have a spa day together. I decided to get up at 730 and walk one of my morning jog routes to enable me to take a few more pictures.... and I was on holiday!

It was a bad choice of day to walk rather than jog because as I set off it was raining.... not too badly though so I put up hood up and went out! After about 5 mins or so the rain stopped so it wasn't too bad! I took some pictures that I would normally miss if I was jogging... like the ladybird that sits on the fence, or the rain droplets on a leaf.... see them here...

After getting back to Nat and Chris', feeding the cat, packing up my bits I went home to do some washing and jobs before meeting Helena for lunch. We then went onto Harrogate for Betty's tea and cake, followed by a massage, Jacuzzi, and the Turkish baths - bliss...... what a perfect way to spend a day off!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 224 - Mile 218

Thursday was my last day at work this week, and I knew it was going to a be a long day, so I dutifully got up at 6.30 to get a jog in.

The clouds were amazing this morning, looking like painting of clouds rather than clouds themselves - beautiful. Pictures here...

I jogged all the way down the hill, only stopping to take a quick picture before jogging all the way to the park. My theory being if I jog more at the beginning then when I get to the uphill bit I can allow myself a bit more walking and a but less jogging!!

Hope everyone had a good day!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 223 - Mile 217

I was looking at routes last night of jogs in the area, and not liking to jog "there and back" so to speak, I decided to jog to roundabout as a turning point and the come back.... well at least I wasn't stopping and turning around!

It was so very very sunny this morning that it seemed only right to take a picture of the view from the top of Canada Road. It was good to stop as it is quiet a steep hill and really knackers me out. At least today's jog was on the flat once I was up there, and I had the jog down the hill to look forward too.

Jogging past the Cricket Club I was struck by how beautiful the light was through the metal sign - see above picture. More pictures here - not many but a cute painted heart!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 222 - Mile 216

So.... I decided to jog up the hill from Nat and Chris' in order to get the worst over with first... however my route ended up taking me down a steeper hill and I still had to come back up Canada Road! Damn those boys for living half way up the hill!

It was much quieter going right out of their door than left, so I may head up there tomorrow. I really struggled to get up this morning, 10 mins more seemed to be my motto for this morning rather than get up and go! Oh well.... will try to have more motivation tomorrow!

A few pictures here....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 221 - Mile 215

I am cat sitting for Nat and Chris' cat Maggie in Rawdon so I am jogging a different route for the next week! I had a meeting in Milton Keynes with a colleague so it was an early jog again!

I set off down the road feeling like I was super jogger..... and then realised that it was because I was jogging down hill.... this only meant one thing, that when I was the most tired I would have to be jogging up the hill! See the pictures here...

It was nice though being out in the sunshine, even though it is much busier on the roads around here than home...

Going to try a different route tomorrow....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 220 - Mile 214

Trina and I decided that as it is less than 2 weeks until we swim a mile in a lake in Scotland that we ought to get into the cold water and get ourselves a bit acclimatised!

As we drove out there the sky was full of black clouds, we were a bit nervous but then if it rained we were planning on getting wet anyway! After a quick change we were on the side of the pool looking into the clear water. There wasn't many people in the pool, probably due to the black clouds but it meant that we had lots of space to ourselves.

Trina got in first and started swimming... I was a little more reluctant.... but after we were in and swimming it wasn't too bad! Cold but not freezing. I decided that the key was to keep swimming until I finished the mile! Swimming one lane front crawl and one breaststroke I soon warmed up and was counting the lengths til it was time to get out into the warm air!!!

I sneakily took the camera in after I had finished and was waiting for Trina to finish her mile.....really like the pictures.... here/

Love Iona x
365milesi365days@googlemail.com

Day 219 - Miles 210 - 213

Saturday was planned to be a nice relaxing day, however plans don't normally work out that way! I ended up getting up to go to work for 8am, to try to get my work done so that I could be in town to watch my cousin Mae in her first rock gig. Charlotte and I worked hard to get the work done and I finally ran out of the office at 10.45 to get into town for the gig. Good job I have been jogging, as after I parked the car, I dashed through the streets to The Wardrobe just in time to go into the gig!

After a great few hours with family and friends watching all these talented children perform, I headed out to Cleckheaton for a walk with Mandi, Ellie, Lois and Jo their dog. Mandi's husband was away for a golf weekend, so we had planned this as a nice walk with the girls and the dog followed by dinner and a go in their hot tub! Yummy!

We walked through the streets to Gomersal (where Ellie pointed out the tallest ever gate.... what are they hiding???), through the park where there was lots of mining back in t'day! There is a lovely miner sculpture right opposites the park. Ellie and Lois had a bit of a play, before we headed up to Oakwell Hall for a cup of tea for Mandi and I, and ice creams for the girls. After we had our break... which turned out to be a bit smell as they were unblocking the drain (was this really necessary on a busy Saturday at the cafe?), we headed around the ponds, through the woods and up to the viewing platform. You can see for miles and miles from here, and monkey girl Lois found several trees to climb! Both of the girls remind me of me at various points in my life and are definitely a pleasure to be with! Especially as they kept the dog in hand whenever he saw another dog, as he gets so excited and barks and wants to play!

Back down from the top we headed back through the woods, over streams, and under branches before a quick stop at the park.... for more playing.... and swinging for the girls... and back through the streets to home. We all guessed how far we had walked.... Mandi at 2 miles, Lois between 2.5 and 3, Ellie over 3 but not as far as 4 and me at 4 miles. I taught Ellie how to plot our route when we got back on http://www.walkjogrun.net/ and I was right!! Well I do have a bit more practice at guessing how far routes are!

After dinner and a relax in the hot tub I headed home on my way to cat sit for Nat and Chris. As I drove down their drive I said to myself... "What a lovely family!"

See the photo's here....

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 218 - Mile 209

Yet another early morning jog, after a later night at work last night. I am very glad that I decided to jog every morning, because not only is it the only time I am getting to jog, but I am feeling much fitter and am sleeping much better!


2 strange things happened this morning
1 - I seemed to frighten a very suspicious looking cat this morning, it kept hiding around the corner as I jogged and looking back like I had caught it up to no good!
2 - I saw another jogger! I think it may have been a figment of my imagination though, because by the time I had got my camera turned on she had gone! Where to? Who knows?

Anyway! Yet another busy day in the office, not sure when I'll be home, or if I'll be here at the weekend. Just grabbing 5 mins between jobs, waiting on clients to write this! Sometimes I wish I caught the train home so I could do this sort of thing on there! Second thoughts... I love driving!

Picture here....
Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 217 - Mile 208

I struggled to find time yesterday to write the blog. I got up at 6.30am to jog, had a quick shower before leaving to pick my colleague and friend Claire up on the way to work. We are really busy at the moment, so every hour counts.

The jog was great, bright sunshine and a few people out - seems to be more out at 6.30am than 7am! The sun was making long shadows so the pictures generally reflect this! These are uploaded here....

My main problem was that when I went to go to leave my car was blocked in! Sodding neighbours.... I had to knock on the door for 5 mins to get them to wake up and move the car, into the space that had obviously been free since they parked their car, as no one would have been able to get in or out!!!! Ahhhh just what I needed on a day when I needed to leave!

Anyway, enough rage!

Hope you all had a better... and hopefully calmer start to yesterday!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 216 - Mile 207

Well another early morning, and 6.30am saw me dragging on my joggers and hoodie as I could hear the rain falling...... actually I had been listening to it for the last half hour trying to decide if I had it in me to go out in it.... and I decided that I shouldn't give up.

Lots more people out this morning, maybe earlier equals busier? I shall do a survey as tomorrow I shall be out at the similar time. Work is busy so it's going to be another early morning.

I had to tie up my hood so that I could jog and not have to keep pulling the hood up to cover my head. All the other people out had coats on, even the dogs!

Strange pictures today..... why was there a football in the middle of the road at 6.45?

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 215 - Mile 206

The first thing that made me smile this morning was the stray lilly that had come into flower in my front pots this morning. I think it may have been in some compost that I used to top the pots up with last year! What is odder though is that all my white lillies are in fact yellow this year - any my sister in laws have done the same too? Answers on a postcard!

Anyway back to my jog...... I decided to see how far I could jog without needing to stop this morning and it was actually quiet far, I surprised myself. I am obviously getting fitter and my breathing is better, and I feel less like I am going to die when I jog!

When I hit the park is was eerily quiet, not another soul in it at all..... I wondered if the clocks had changed and no-one had told me? Oh well, at least I am not meeting my perfect man while I am looking all hot and sweaty!

Back home for a quick shower and then off to work early to make sure the client got what they waned, when they wanted it...... another early start due tomorrow.....

Not very many picture this morning due to the jogging here....

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 214 - Mile 205

There has been some question as to whether I would keep up jogging in the morning after the first week..... so here I am, having jogged another mile this morning. It is definitely getting easier and I jogged for longer and walked for less again today. I think doing it every day helps, and I can understand people who get addicted.

The lamp post project seems to be getting further along, with the electrics being put in and the old lamps coming out. Hopefully the chaos that surround the area will come to an end soon!

The park was relatively quiet today, and I noticed the shiny teeny tiny apples coming into fruit on one of the trees. What a lovely sight! More pictures here...

Off to work now, have a good day!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 212 - Miles 203-4

After the wonderful wedding on Friday night of Lian and Bobby Stevenson, I dashed back from Hull for a surprise birthday meal for the lovely Helena! After we'd all eaten amazing food at The White Hart in Pool, we headed up to the Chevin in Otley for a buggy friendly stroll.

We went anti-clockwise around the walk, up and down with one buggy, one baby in a sling, one 3 year old and a puppy! It made for an entertaining, if slow walk. Talking to other dog walkers, playing games with Calum, and racing up and down.

I love the Chevin, the views are spectacular in any weather, and you can see some of my other favourite places, including the dales and Armscliffe Cragg. The are beautiful trees and lots of wooden carving now too, all a short drive from home! Bliss!

What a great day we had, even if I was a little sleeping after 6 hours sleep......

Lovely picture here.....,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com