Day 15 - Mile 11

Anybody that loves to swim will tell you that the first dive is the best! Diving into the pool at the Aquatics Centre tonight made me smile. The first few strokes allow you to breathe, with satisfaction, and an overwhelming sense of calm, and then you swim!

Mandi and I, often swim on Friday nights after work, as her daughter Louis dives with her squad several times a week. Ellie, Mandi's other daughter comes swimming with us too, but she thinks we are crazy for swimming so much. What's more, she could beat both of us at a race!

Today, after having not swam for almost a month (I can't believe that it has been so long), I managed a mile in just under 40mins. Not bad considering, and about the time I had hoped for. We were lucky tonight as the pool was set out for 50m swimming, so you get into a good stride, but after we had finished I was knackered!

To see more pictures see Day 15

and http://www.nephroid.com/~iona/ to donate to the charities that I am embarking on this endurance for.

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 10 - Miles 9-10

This morning, Trina and I set off to Otley Chevin for a stroll to look at the view. It is one of my favourite places to walk in the area, because of the trees and the view out over Pool, Otley and beyond.

We started at the lower car park, and took a stroll down the "tree alley". There were lots of people out walking, with dogs, or with sledges.

We came to the top of the hill, and watched some sledgers. I commented how jealous I was, to a couple of Grandparents, who happily co-erced us into having a go each before continuing on our walk. It was great! Both Trina and I kept veering to the right and crashed into the trees!

There are many gorgous wood sculpture along the way, which I must go back to photograph when they aren't so covered in snow.

We walked back long the edge and admired the snowy view, as far as the eye could see, and I was able to take a picture of one of my favourite trees. I just love the shape of it.

To see more pictures see Day 10

and http://www.nephroid.com/~iona/ to donate to the charities that I am embarking on this endurance for.

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 8 - still 8 miles

I have been having a few days of not walking or swimming, however have achieved some pretty exciting stuff.

Firstly, I have set up an email that you can mail me on

365milesin365days@googlemail.com.


Secondly, I have ordered a t-shirt, and cards to advertise my fundraising.


Thirdly, I have signed up to walk 9 miles at Hamsterley Forest on the 25th of April with some friends.

www.macmillan.org.uk/Fundraising/WalkingEvents


Fourthly, a lovely friend introduced me to a website called

http://www.walkjogrun.net/

which is really helping me plot routes for the future, track the miles, so I don't have to fully rely on my pedometer.

Hope you all will contact me to let me know your thoughts and ideas for walks and swims!

Love Iona x

Day 5 Part Two - Miles 7-8

Tonight I did something that I kept meaning to do last year, and never got round to it....... and that was walking up the high street in Farsley (where I live) to take photo's of the lovely simple Christmas Lights.

I started off from home and immediately felt calm walking in the snow. The peacefulness that snow brings is overwhelming.

I only intended to take pictures of the lights, but kept seeing things that deserved a photo. One lady in my street had made such a lovely snowman, with lanterns (see photo link below), I just had to take a picture. She came out to speak to me and was so pleased that her snowman was being appreciated.

The walk took me down Coal Hill Lane and along to the High street. It really was lovely walking up the high street, photographing the Christmas Tree and Christmas lights before they get taken down. I walked down over the park and through the snickets back home, at one point it was like walking through Narnia!

I hope you enjoy the photo's as much I did taking them, see Day 5 for more pictures

and
http://www.nephroid.com/~iona/ to donate to the charities that I am embarking on this endurance for.

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x

Day 5 Part One - Mile 6

Today it took 2 hours to get to work, and thankfully our MD had the good sense to send us all home early, so I decided to get out there and get some miles in.

Straight home, dragged on my jeans over my work clothes, socks and wellies on, and Katy and I head out to walk around the local park. It's not far from the house so I only bagged one mile to the cause.

It was very pretty with the trees and park completely covered in snow.

Please see
Day 5 for more pictures

and
www.nephroid.com/~iona to donate to the charites that I am embarking on this endurance for.

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x

Day 3 - Miles 4-5

The last day of the holidays before I go back to work, so I thought I best make use of the good weather and get out and do a couple more miles. It was also a good excuse to catch up with Katrina who had been away skiing!

We started out on the canal at Rodley, and then headed onto the Nature Reserve. It snowed again last night, so there was a light smattering on the canal and on the path, but it wasn't too treacherous. Lots of people were out, seeming to be making the most of the last day of the holidays.

Please see
Day 3 for more pictures


and www.nephroid.com/~iona to donate to the charites that I am embarking on this endurance for

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x

Day 1 - Miles 1-3

Today I started the first of the 365 miles that I plan to walk, jog or swim over the next 365 days.
Myself, Nat, Chris, Calum, Helena, Graeme and Samuel embarked on a stroll around Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir, just north west of Otley.


The weather was on our side, crisp and clear, and the light snowfall that we had experienced overnight made for great view.

So we walked, jumped in puddles, played hide and seek Gruffalo style, took pictures and generally had a good morning out.

Home in time for lunch and hot drinks!

Please see;
Day 1 for more pictures,

and

www.nephroid.com/~iona to donate to the charities that I am embarking on this endurance for.

Many thanks for reading and please keep in touch!

Love Iona x