Day 304 - Mile 294

A quick jaunt out tonight before it got too dark. As the clocks have gone back our meeting time of 4pm could have meant that it got a bit too dark, but Nat, Captain and I were all on time, and walked briskly, so we managed a mile in before the light went too much.

A bit hard to get good photos but I did manage a few. Captain is such a good dog and always come bounding back when he is called. A nice chat with Nat, and now home for a cuppa before getting ready to go out in a bit!

See the photos here...,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@blogspot.com

Day 303 - Part 2 - Miles 292-293

Last night we went over to York to see the Illuminating York Festival. Thankfully it was a dry night and not too cold, even on the last couple of days of October.

Trina and I hadn't quiet comprehended just how many drunken people dressed up for Halloween their would be wondering the streets drunkenly as we tried to find the Illuminated Rose on York minster. Quite a sight is all I'll say!

We finally meandered our way through the streets of York and the first glimpse of the installation on the minster was impressive. The whole of the street was crammed with people watching as the story of the rose unfolded before our eyes and boomed out from the sound system.

It was magnificent to watch the light display unfurl before us and listen to people comments around us as we mingled through the crowd to the gardens behind the Minster.

Lots going on in the garden which was made more spectacular by the lit up trees. We headed through to the Treasurer's house, where there seemed to be a Halloween display being shown. We were herded and told to keep moving around the garden, but made a quick pit stop to the cafe for Hot Chocolates to warm us up! After we went back through the gardens taking in some of the installations that we had missed first time, before meandering back through the streets of York to the car.

A very pleasant evening, and some great photos here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 303 - Miles 288-291

The weekend - hurrah! I managed to get some jobs done in the morning so that Trina and I could have a lovely afternoon walking.

We headed out to Fewston and Swinstry Reservoirs - but decided to start at Fewston and see how far we got. We only managed one reservoir as the light was starting to fall, and I didn't much fancy traipsing around in the woods in the dark. Trina kept trying to persuade me that we'd be fine, but I managed to win with the promise of a cuppa at the Cheerful Chilli. Little did we know that we were going to be half a hour too late!

We headed off around the reservoir, through the trees. It is a really nice place to walk and very accessible, so there were lots of different people out walking. From casual dog walkers, to hardened walking societies! We seemed to be about the middle ground, walking boots, but no rucksacks and waterproofs.

The trees in here are beautiful as they are all turning orange at different rates, and as you are walking around the water you can always see the trees on the other side! We did find a rather large leaf towards the end of our walk!

We headed back to the car park, before a quick trip home for dinner, before heading out on our next adventure.

See the autumnal pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 300 - Mile 286-7

Crikey, where did the last 300 days go! I can't believe that there is only 65 days til a new year will be upon us, there's a thought eh!

Dashing out of work to try to get back to my 'holiday home' in Rawdon before the sun had completely gone down, I got home just in time. Quick change, let the cat in, feed the cat, let the cat back out and dash out the door.

I was on a bit of a mission, not just to jog/walk a couple of miles, I also needed to get some milk for my cuppa tea! How very important in my life! Jogging down the hill along to Quaker Lane, past the green and down Quaker Lane. It's quite a steep down hill and as I knew that jogging carrying milk was going to cause me some problem I decided to run as fast as I could to the bottom of the hill. It was great, running like a little kid, but I did have to stop myself feeling like I was going to end up flat on my face!!

Passing one of my favourite gift shops, I could help but stop to admire their Christmas display.... yes you read right, they have their Christmas display in the window already! Although I love Christmas and have started my Christmas shopping, I still can't bring myself to be happy that the shops have decided it's Christmas already - not even if the display is delightful!

Popping into the shop to get the milk,I popped it into the pouch of my new hoodie. I felt a bit like a kangaroo carrying all the bits in my pouch, I don't know how they do it.

The sight of my home for the week with the welcoming outdoor light I was pleased to be home and ready for the warm!

Pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 299 - Mile 285

Here I am cat sitting in Rawdon again! Make a change to be able to jog around some different roads and see some different sights.

It's funny the things that you don't notice when you are driving the roads that you see when you are going at a slightly slower pace.

It always makes me smile when I see the estate agent Acorn - makes me think or Acorn antiques and doesn't make me so keen to use them should I want a new house!

Photos here....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 298 - Miles 283-4

Monday always comes around so quickly, but feeling completely relaxed after a weekend of doing very little, walking tonight seemed the best thing to do.

The nights are definitely drawing in very quickly, so Trina and I walked down the canal for a mile and then back along the road under the safety of the streetlights. Cold and dark and the evening progressed, we both couldn't really believe it when we got back to the car and it was only 6.30pm! felt more like 9pm! With smoke coming out of some of the canal boats it really looked like a warm snuggley place to be tonight!

Photos proved hard this evening as it was already quite dark when we set off! I think that over the next few weeks there will be less and less photos and it gets harder and harder. See what we did manage to get here...

Hope your weeks have all started a relaxed as mine,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 297 - Miles 280-282

The best Sunday's start with freshly brewed coffee, and today was no exception. Coffee and a good book for a couple of hours before gatecrashing a walk with Trina, her sister and her friends.

Meeting at Otley Chevin was a bit chaotic today as it was very busy. I think the whole of Yorkshire had the same idea to get the family out for a walk! The autumn days are slowly turning the forest but I think it's going to be a good couple of weeks before it is at it's autumnal best!

Dogs, children, an the adults all seemed well equipped for the muddy Sunday stroll. We went on a route that I have never been on before and it was nice to see parts of the Chevin that I had never seen before. We hit 3 miles today where my normal walk up there is about 2. More sculptures to be seen, and strange familiarity as we criss crossed the route that I normally take.

See the pictures here...

After lots of ups and downs we finally reached the car park for good byes, and Trina and I hit the Cheerful Chilli for tea and scones! Hurrah - a lovely little restaurant, which was absolutely crammed with people today - the poor staff were rushed off their feet.

Lovely day, with unexpected company! What a lovely Sunday!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 293 Part 2 - Miles 278-279

After a sunny day at work, I managed to finish on time and get home for a walk before the sun went down. The evening was cold, crisp, but really lovely to be out in the sunshine!

Wrapped up warm I headed out from home, and had a bit of an adventure through the trees to the park (more investigations needed) and out across to the canal. Thankfully they have fixed the bridge so I could have a chat with the swans for a while - until they started to get a bit stroppy!

Down the canal and then heading back home as it got colder as the sun went down. Pictures here....

Lovely autumn days we are having - make the most of it!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 293 - Mile 277

Brrrr..... it was very chilly this morning when I went out for a 'brisk walk'. I was told at dinner last night that a brisk walk is as good as a jog, so when I was sleepy this morning after said dinner I decided that a brisk walk it was to be...... inorder for me not to fall staight asleep again!

There was frost on the ground, I could see my breath as walked and dark.... it's just so dark!

There are a few photos here, but I had to take some with the flash.... which you know I hate but ho hum.... that's just the way it is going to have to be! Lovely frosty patterns on the car roofs though!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 291 - Mile 276

Monday morning jogs are great, apart from the fact that although I left it until 7am to jog, it was still very dark! Not great for taking pictures..... but nice and peaceful for jogging.

Seems less and less people venture out as the dark draws in, soon I'll have to stick to the roads to stay in the light of the street lamps! Or just get out LOTS at the weekends.

I can't describe to you how many seagulls were on the park this morning and due to only having my little camera I couldn't capture it either! I did get a few, rather dark shots here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 290 - Mile 275

Beautiful Sunday today, coffee, croissants and a lovely relax!

Trina and I had arranged to go for a walk this afternoon, but I got quite giddy about the fact that the sun was shining and maybe this would be the last time we would get out for a wild swim before the year was out! So, after a phone call to convince Trina (didn't take much) we drove out to the dales for a brisk walk, followed by a very cold swim!

We had to get in rather enthusiastically as we had an audience! The pressure of having to get in when people are watching - did make us just get in and look all energetic! They were very impressed and gave us cheers and encouragement!

We did a couple of widths and then decided to get out and get in upstream and whoosh down with the current on out 'slide'. I love it, it makes you squeal with excitement, before a quick swim to warm up and then out to get dry!

A lovely swim today, even though it was bloody freezing, but luckily we had come prepared with hot drinks and hot water bottles - I think we got more odd looks walking carrying hot water bottles than actually swimming today!!!

See pictures here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 289 - Mile 274

Lots of sleep last night, a morning at work, and a very productive afternoon in the house led me to needing to go out and do some exercise....

I decided to just have a little jog around the park before the sun went down and the light had gone. Bright sunshine hit me as I left the house, and stayed with me all the way round. It has been a funny weather day today, and the clouds tonight kind of describe it. From light fluffy white clouds, to deep dark oppressive grey clouds! Made for something nice to look at whilst I was jogging.

There were also another of interesting things in the park today..... a firework that never left the ground and some rather cute mushrooms! See the pictures here.....

May I gently remind you that I am doing this for charity and any few pennies that you can spare will go towards two good causes; Dexter's Wish and Macmillian. It was the anniversary of Dexter's leaving his family this week at the tender age of just over a month old, so our love is with them at this hard time. If you have anything you can give it will be gratefully received, I know.

Much love to the Robinson's and to you, Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 286 - Miles 272-273

Exhausted is how I would describe myself....... after being ill last week I seem to have not got completely awake since! Everything is just that bit harder than it should be! Hence I haven't been out in a couple of days.... more warm snuggley bed time has been in order.

Tonight though, the sun was shining and I needed to nip out to M & S, so instead of driving out I decided to come home, drop off the car and walk there and back. I would describe the night as 9pm on a summer's day not 6pm on an October evening. It was warm, sunny and lovely!

It's not a terribly exciting route to M & S but I really like railway arches and walking under them when I train is going overheard is an experience! I did managed to get a few pictures of odd or lovely things, like beautiful barbed wire, to sheep! See here...

Walk done - check, shopping done - check, dinner eaten - check, blog written.... nearly!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 283 - Miles 270-271

Well what a surprise the weather was when I was driving back from work this morning, the sun was bursting through the heavy fog and mist on what turned out to be a glorious October day.

Lots of little jobs to do, but a reward of visiting Nat and Captain and going for a walk was my reward. We headed out just after 4pm for a stroll up to the Billing, a slightky longer walk than I have done up there before.

It was great to see the progress that Captain has made in just a few short weeks - he is now swimming, properly swimming and fetching and bringing back without too many distractions. He is walking off the lead and didn't even get traumatised by the cows!

Such a lovely sunny afternoon, Nat and I discussed life and the universe, but mainly just how lucky we are to live where we do with the countryside so close. It's GREAT up North! A lot of our friends and us often meet to walk in the countryside and it's just so easy!

Cute Captain pictures here...

Love Iona x

Day 282 - Miles 268-9

Today was a lovely day! What better way to spend the day with family! I seem to have spent the last three weekends with Corin, Jen, Harper and Aniq in one way or another... and I know Aniq is not technically family but she might as well be!

We headed out to the Yorkshire Scuplture Park to meet Alice, Keir, Mae and Carina, for lunch, a walk, coffee and cake and then a lovely meal at Alice and Keir's - thanks guys!

Between us we have 2 people that we know who have exhibitions on at YSP at the moment (check us out!) so we thought we should go and see them.

Casey Orr's Bone Fire exhibition is a long time project she has done taking photos of local bonfires, guarded by their teenage creators. It was good to see old fashioned bonfires of my youth, and not the massive mass produced bonfires that are more regularly organised these days. To see more on her work see http://www.caseyorr.com/.

Asha Munn's Me, Myself and I (photographic art by young people) exhibition is work that she has done with youngsters in the community. The large canvas hangings line a walkway in the sculpture park, and truely show these kids perspective on their worlds. To see more of her work see http://www.ashamunnphotography.com/.

I love the sculpture park and with the bonus of David Nash's sculptures (lots of wood) it was a lovely walk, with lovely, lovely people. Take a look here....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 279 - Miles 266-267

On Wednesday Trina and I went out for a quick walk from home to stretch our legs and because I wasn't feeling too good and thought a walk may help!

I decided to take photo's that had a red theme - it's amazing how many things are red when you start looking, especially this time of year. Berries and rose hips, signs and notices, doors and even rubber bands!

See the Red photos here...

Well that was the day before I fell very sick with a tummy bug, which is why it has taken so long to upload the photos. Bed rest and lots of lying forlorn in front of the TV!

Feeling much better now and back to my old self - must vitamin up though, or I won't get all the miles in!

Love Iona x

Day 278 - Miles 264-265

Tuesday morning and I needed to get out again. I decided to do a 2 mile-er down to Rodley along the canal and back. However, my plans were scuppered when I got to the swing bridge and it was the wrong way and being repaired!

Oh well, I decided to make my way back along the road, and up the hill. The sun was shining and it was nice to hear the birds in the morning, I think tomorrow I am going to do a coloured themed blog.

Photos here....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 276 - Miles 262-263

After getting completely soaked in Manchester going to a Vintage Fair at the Old Victoria Baths with Jen, Aniq and Mae, I arrived home and the sun was shining!

Quick phone call and 10 mins after arriving home, Trina, Katy and I were off on a walk in our wellies to make the most of the last hours of sunshine. I was very excited about having my wellies on - warm, dry feet, after spend most of the day with wet feet after wearing my canvas boots this weekend! And the ability to splash in mud and puddles without having to worry!

We headed out to West Wood where I had gone with Nat and Chris walking the dog a few weeks ago. I wanted to have more of an explore and it was definitely worth while. Up through the rocks, under the bridge and then back over the top of the bridge, down a leafy country lane, and along the old road, before heading back to the wood, winding along the paths and reaching the car again.

I decided that it would be a great place to have an adventure/teddy bears picnic in the summer! Thankfully we did the big uphill bit first, and then is was mainly flat and downhill back to the car! Lots of other people also out making the most of the last sunshine of the day after having been stuck in or wet because of the rain!

Pictures here

Hope you have all had as nice a weekend as me,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 275 - Miles 260-261

SATURDAY!!!

My 2nd Cousin Mae and I headed for Manchester today to spend the weekend with my brother Corin, his wife Jenny and my nephew Harper. Lots of plans to fit in!!!

Today we drove out to Marple, where Corin and Jen have put an offer in on a house. Mae and I were tasked with taking Harper for a walk while Corin and Jen took some measurement, talked to the owners and generally got a better feel for the house.

We strolled up the high street, passed the takeaways and shops, to Marple Memorial Park. It was a nice park, and has several canal locks on one side which we walked down. Passing the skate park which was being used by bikers. Mae took charge of the buggy and tried her bast not to push Harper, the buggy and herself into the very murky canal - glad Salford was better than this last week. Nice to be out in the park even though it is starting to get a bit cold these days!

After a quick play in the park and look at the sculptures we were called by Corin and Jen who had finished their surveying. We all met up for a walk back to the house, before driving home.

A relaxing evening tonight and more fun planned for tomorrow.

Photos uploaded here...

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com