Day 93 - Miles 59-61

"What a nice day it is", I heard as I awoke this morning. I'm not if is was meant to get me up, as Mum's voice drifted from their room to mine, but it did.

After a couple of cups of tea, Dad and I set out for his morning walk. He normal goes out most mornings with a couple of friends for a "fitness" walk, however Mary and Brian are in the UK at the moment so I was roped into being his walking partner.

We decided to kill 3 birds with one stone, as Dad needed his walk, I needed some miles and Dad wanted to show me the BBQ that he has been building at a friend's Villa here.

We headed from Binibeca Nou, along the coast into Binibeca Vell, the next resort along the coast, popping in at the Corish's Villa on the way.

It was very quiet, but then it was 9am after a night that anyone who is anyone would have been out in the town last night, so not that surprising.

The BBQ was very nice (even unfinished), as was the other bits and pieces of work that Dad has been doing for them around the house and garden. I ventured up to the roof terrace, and from here you can see the sea! Hurrah!

We then walked down into Binibeca Vell, where, even though they don't have a beach, they do have a very successful resort. People swim off the rocks and the harbour here is busy in the summer - not today though... the holiday season is only just beginning.

Dad pointed out the Church spire in the midst of the apartments, which the planner decided the skyline needed, even if there is no Church, and this is just stuck on the top of someone villa!?!?! Only in Menorca!

The walk back was pleasant as they sun was heating up, and we wound our way through the back streets back home for breakfast! The smell of coffee as we climbed the steps to the kitchen was just great!

A random selection of photos accompany this blog... but you'll have to wait! Click here

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 92 Part 2 - Mile 58

Well, what can I say....... It is Good Friday and as Menorca - as much of Spain - has quite a Catholic background, we headed out to the Good Friday parade.

Mum and Dad didn't really tell me much, only that they wore uniforms, drummed alot and carried statues through the town.

We walked across town to get a good position to watch the parade, and had to cross the tail end of the parade before they set off. Coming around the corner, of sleepy Mahon, I was greeted by what could only be likened to the Ku Klux Klan in Maroon?????????? I looked at my parents in dismay, and they assured me that this is "traditional" Easter costumes to do with the higher the point to the sky, the closer to God you are.

So, after this initial shock, we headed, at pace, from the Santa Maria Church up to Sant Francis Church at the top of Mahon. This gave us a good vantage point as this is at the top of quite a long straight road through the city.

It was amazing!!! Over a thousand people marching through the street to drum beats and trumpets playing, all dressed in robes and pointy hats of different colours. It is a very solemn affair, marking the cruxifiction of Christ and Mary's grief afterwards. The crowds are silent as the various stages of the run up to the cruxifiction are displayed as statues. Each being carried by one of the different churches in the Mahon area, each area having it's own colour - although I think there may be some religious connotations to the colours, but I'm not sure.

So, from Peter and the cockerel, through to John the Evangelist offering to carry the cross, to the cruxifiction, Jesus being laid to rest and the grieving Mary, all passed before our eyes. It was spectacular, and this was happening in most towns and cities across Spain!!!! If you are religious in any way, I would recommend it, and even if you're not it is quite some sight!
The photos are brilliant! Click here

Please forgive any religious errors.....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 92 - Miles 56-57

After a horrible start to the week, I have tonsillitis! I have now arrived in a very sunny Menorca for a bit of relaxing and to get some miles in - hurrah!

Mum, Dad and I set off for an afternoon stroll, as I still feel a bit rough, and mum was tempting me to go for a swim! Meany! I have decided that I need at least another day of recovery before immersing myself in water.

Up the hill, round down to the sea, along to the beach and back up home we went. It's amazing the weird, wonderful, beautiful and bizarre things that you see in Menorca. Well I think so, but mum and dad just say "Well it's just what it's like in Menorca". Boats for sale, deck chairs in trees??? wild leeks and wild garlic to name a few.

It was lovely to get to the sea, and to my delight, there was someone training in the sea with a wetsuit on. Proper training, not just splashing about. I was so jealous I can not tell you! It was a good photo opportunity even if I couldn't jump in too!

As we climbed the many steps, up through the houses, you get a good view back down over the sea. We were lucky that you could see the sea from most of our walk. Spotting home through the trees and houses was a welcome sight as none of us had taken any water out with us!

Hope you are all having a very Good Friday.... photos when I get back to the UK.... there will be lots! x
Click here
Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 87 - Miles 50-55

Today, Rebecca and I had planned a walk to Bolton Abbey, as training for the Shine Walk in 3 weeks time. We opened it up to all sorts of people, but due to other commitments, illnesses, the prospect of loosing a hour in bed, meant that just four of us headed out.

Four girls out walking, we must have been a bit of a sight, from rain coats to Bec in her dress and Wellies (Love that girl's style!). Anna, Trina, Bec and I set off about 10.30 so that we would all be able to get home and have a bit of relaxing time before work tomorrow.

It was bright and breezey! A brilliant spring day, even if it did seem earlier as we had lost a hour - why do I plan these things again????? The view after you cross the road and head down to the river is magnificent and beautiful, green as far as the eye can see, with a few spots of colours as other people were out walking and jogging earlier than us.

In no time at all we were at the quarter of the way marker, much to the girls surprises, and everyone was having a good time. Talking and walking are lovely ways to get to know your friends, old and new, because you cover all sorts of random topics and I always end up finding out something remarkable out each person that I never knew before.

We headed up to the the aqueduct bridge - which apparently carries water to Bradford - and back down through the Strid woods. As you'll know by know, I love water, so this walk is really good for me, as you can hear the river the whole of the walk. If I had had £10 for everyone who said to be careful by the river last week, I'd be rich!

I think I prefer Bolton Abbey in the morning, before the crowds set in. As we were leaving the car park was full to bursting and lots of people were still heading out to start their walks as we had finished.

Lunch in a nice Cafe finished of a lovely morning - even if the bookshop next door was closed... oh well.......

Love Iona x

p.s. photos to follow x here

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 86 - Miles 47-49

Visiting 'my long time friend' Chris in Manchester, we had a impromptu walk. I didn't take my camera so Chris had has to email me the photos from his camera which he kindly lent to me for the afternoon.

We were heading into Manchester City centre to meet his girlfriend after she work and to go out for some dinner.

It was such a beautiful afternoon, that we decided to head around the park for a quick jaunt before heading into town. They have moved into a flat just opposite the park and their bedroom looks out over such a lovely view. It was a good job we did, as it was deceptively cold, and this gave Chris a chance to grab a coat before the other miles. It was sunny, but the wind was bitterly cold, and the night was only going to get colder.

So through the streets, across parks and into Manchester we went. It was really good to catch up with Chris and see some parts of Manchester I had never seen before. I was wondering if the Shine Walk that I am doing in 3 weeks would take any of the same route. We passed the Universities and the Aquatics centre which was built for the Commonwealth Games, which drew me as you cam imagine. Unfortunately, like most pools, you can't see in from the outside - a visit will have to be in order soon!

Meeting up with Alexia, walking to various restaurants, and then to the bus on the way home, we probably weren't short of 4 miles, but I can definitely say we conquered 3!

Photos to be uploaded tomorrow, after work...... click here

Love Iona x
www.365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 80 - Miles 44 - 46

If you know me well then you'll know that I am not good without sleep. Which is why when I decided to do a RSPB Dawn Chorus walk at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, starting at 7am, people kept asking me was I sure, or was I crazy.

I set off from the house at 5.50am, coffee in hand, to collect Trina at 6am. The view from her house was lovely as the sun was rising towards the Church. We were up, ready and raring to go. Neither of us are "twitchers", but both like the YSP and the prospect of seeing it from a different point of view spurred us on.

It took no time at all to drive - due to no traffic at 6am on a Sunday morning, and we arrived at the car park without another soul or car to be seen. The only sign that the event was on, was a notice on the car park ticket machine to saw that parking was free to us up til 10 am! Hurrah!

A small group of about 30 people turned up. Paul the RSPB man brought lots of binoculars so everyone could have a good view and get involved. He led us into the woods in the various areas of the park - and into some areas that the General Public are not normally allowed. It was a privilege to see the park from some different area.

From robins, wrens, and rooks, through to nut hatchers, Canada geese and herons, we heard them all. It was hard to see some of them, but Paul's enthusiasm and ability to describe what we were hearing made up for it. I'm not about to become an avid bird watcher, but I love to watch birds fly, and listening to all the different chips, the sun on my back, and the rich morning light made today's walk brilliant! I took loads of pictures, see here...but I have decided that a new zoom lens may have to be on my wish list!

Tired, me? never? by the time we headed back up to the car park, Trina and I headed off from the group to have a look at the deer shelter - one of my friend Juli's favourite places at the YSP. It was so clear and bright by then.

An immensely relaxing morning, but I have to admit I did go home to bed for a couple of hours.

Spring is definitely pushing winter out of view, let hope for some more sunny days to come.

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 78 - Mile 43

So, after one day of feeling totally well and a bit euphoric because of that, I have discovered that I have an ear infection. It makes my neck hurt and I feel completely weird if I bend over to pick anything up. But I was determined to swim as spring has sprung, and I needed to get back in the water.

Tonight was not the best night to find out that I have lost my ear plugs - which I religiously wear when I swim since my last ear infection. Where I lost them...... who knows, but I suppose that it part of them being lost isn't it. To the shops I shall have to go before my next plunge!

Mandi was swimming later tonight as there is only "dry" training for the divers at the moment. Their fancy pool is broken, so they have to do what they can. I headed off from work, singing and dancing to Radio 2's All Request Friday, all the lights were green, no traffic (on a Friday?!!? weird) and I got to the pool in record time.

Needless to say, this meant that there was a 'different' set of swimmers in the pool. More 'dry' hair swimmers than I like and more slow people in the way. Oh well, you just have to get on with it. I didn't realise how much Mandi and I push each other to go faster, until I realised that I was happily bobbing along with the crowd! Eek....... I made a mad dash for it and stepped up my game, hearing Mandi in my head saying "Why bother coming if you aren't going to push yourself!".

It was soon time to get out and the last 4 lengths were a pleasure as the pool was emptying. I must remember this the next time I decide to swim early.

Home now, and it definitely feels more like the summer is on it's way!
Odd photos here!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com