Day 115 - Miles 90-98

"Uh oh" was my thought when I awoke this morning to the sound of rain on the roof!!! It was 6am, so I decided to turn over and hope it would pass before I had to get up.

A jolly lovely cuppa tea made by Juli, and the promise that the rain had passed brought me to life an hour and a half later! A quick shower, breakfast, picnic packing and away we went....... off to Hamsterley Forest!

Juli, Nick and I arrived to a car park, already getting full of entrants, and the Macmillan Support team. We checked in very quickly and got ready to start our 9 mile walk starting at 10(ish). We were one of the first teams to be set off, all following the leader with his green Macmillan balloon in his rucksack. A great spirit was in the air as we set off.

We followed various routes around Hamsterley Forest. Firstly along the riverside trail, then climbing up to a high forest road, then descending to Grove House. Back up the other side of the valley we climbed and climbed until we thought we may actually not be on the right route as we hadn't seen a marshall in a long time..... but soon we managed to see one in the distance.

Back down this side of the valley to the half way point of Blackling Hole waterfall (where many people stopped to have their lunches) and along Ayhope Beck. We had to be careful at various points along the walk as Hamstely is great mountain bike territory and bikes kept coming zooming past us with ecstatic people on them! Even when some of them had to get off and push their bikes up the hills they were in good spirits.

Near the end of our walk we passed a beautiful sculpture of the Green Man - or men I should say, as depending on where you look you see the Green Son, the Green Man and the Green Father - amazing! All the ups and downs, weaving between trees, stopping for snack and breaks were all worth while when I saw these beautiful faces.

We finally had only one mile to go, feet aching and knees sore, we could see the car park in site and the FINISH line! Dorothy and Ian, friends from the valley, had come to meet us for a picnic lunch. It's always good to have a support team to meet you at the end of an event!

We sat in the sun, wind, cloud, and a couple of drops of rain, having our extravagant picnic before I finally had to head home from a great weekend, lots of lovely miles and most importantly, great company!

Photos uploaded here!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 114 - Miles 87-89

Very lovely to be here at Fellside in Daddry Shield, visiting Juli and Nick!

I arrived last night to be ushered, quiet promptly, to a St Georges Country Dance in the next hamlet along (St John's Chapel). After much dancing, pie and peas, we finally collapsed after a busy week at work, all wondering if the exercise from the dancing may have actually knackered us all out for the weekend ahead!

This morning was bright, if a bit cloudy, and the view out of the window was spectacular! Juli and Nick's house has an amazing position in the valley and the views are immense! After cups of tea, juice, croissants with bacon, egg and tomato, and coffee, we were off for the day.

We had arranged to drive up to Steel Riggs to have a walk along Hadrian's Wall and see "that Prince of Thieves" tree. It was bright and breezy as we set off, lots of people out enjoying the spring weather. Everything seems to be a bit behind here, so the lambs are still babies and the daffodils are just coming out in force!

We followed the wall up and down the gradients of the terrain, passing everyone from hardcore climbers, to walkers with speakers blaring out music?!?!? There were lots of great photo opportunities along the way, including "the tree" and climbers caribenas. At the end of a small forest (1.5 miles point, and beautiful farm) we took to the path back along the other side of the wall, seeing the same views from different vantage points.

What a jolly lovely walk we had by the time we got back to car park, and worked up an appetite for Nick's great sandwiches. As we sat and ate we had entertainment of watching climbers race up the wall, and a remote control areoplane flying over head. We just had enough time to stop off for a cream tea on our way home at a local farm shop (Brockbushes) - bliss!

I'll upload the photo's when I get home from our sponsored walk tomorrow - wish us luck!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 112 - Mile 86

What lovely weather we are having.......... after a cold and snowy winter, the Spring is definitely here, and we are even having some summery days. Today was one.

It was lovely to see Helena, Graeme and the boys after they have been on holiday for a week, and even Uncle Nat came over to see us all.

Helena and I were getting ready for our jog and Calum (3) wanted to come too. We agreed that I would jog a mile - having not jogged for ages - and his Mum, Helena would jog two as she has been doing more training, and I would pick him up and take him for a jog to the farm while we waited for her.

So off we went, into the sunny evening, jogging and chatting. It was easier that I suspected it would be after my walk last weekend, but I still found it hard to keep up with Helena. I did have to have a few breathers and take a few pictures along the way so that I didn't collapse there and then. Helena jogging on the spot while she waited for me to catch up!

I think she was glad when we turned the last corner which meant that she could do her second mile unhindered by me! I collected Calum, who showed me just how good his trainers are, and we set off jogging to the farm.

I think that Calum is a much more preferable jogging partner, as he kept requesting rests, and even asked if we could have a sit down and a rest at one point - I like his style! We got to the farm, and it was closed, but Calum thought that the Lorry and Van needed pictures......... see here.

We ran on and off back up the hill to the road that Helena would be coming along, and waited on the wall for her, comparing our trainers. His small and well worn..... mine big and new!

Just as we finished the comparison Helena come jogging round the corner..... and we all jogged home for tea! Yum!

Looking forward to my weekend walking this weekend... but will fill you in on that as it happens,

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 111 - Mile 85

So, I am home after cat sitting.

Nat has managed to get a flight home - only 5 days later than he had originally intended, so after work I came straight home. It was very weird to be home and settled by 6pm! I'd even eaten something for dinner!

It was such a lovely day today at work, the sun has been streaming through our office windows, that I decided that a swim tonight would be good. I text Trina before leaving and she was up for it too.... a nice relaxing swim on a Wednesday evening.

I love Bramley Baths - it is the last open survivor of eight pools built by Leeds City Council from 1899-1900. The towering chimney is a local landmark, and the Victorian features within always make me smile. So many people will have swum here over the years, it is a pleasure and an honour to be able to swim here.

I haven't swum for ages, so it was a "take it easy" swim. We entered Bramley Baths as the Adult's only session was starting. As the kids disappeared, we got into the pool. I was the fastest person in the pool, even at my decided leisurely pace, but it was ok as I just wanted to get in the water and swim.

As the minutes, and lengths passed, the night drew in above us through the sky lights and the stained glass windows at each end of the pool. There are so many features that I would like to photograph here..... hummm I may just have to see if I can sneak in sometime to photograph some of the amazing detail.

I did managed to take a few pictures though here,

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 107-8 - Miles 72 - 84

SHINE!

Last night saw Bec and I walked a half marathon through the streets of Manchester. We were walking as part of the Shine Manchester 2010 Cancer Research walk. Some people were walking a whole marathon and some people a half marathon, all for people that they loved who have had, passed away or survived Cancer.

We were asked to be there from 7pm even though we weren’t walking until 10pm, so we had arranged to meet up with my brother and his wife for dinner before hand at the Cornerhouse in Manchester. We had a lovely pizza and catch up before heading to the venue at 9pm.

They had been giving out helium balloons that were lit up to light the way through the streets, and Manchester Central was full! We had to wait around for the start of the walk, and everyone was getting really excited. The power walkers were heading off first, then the rest of us. It was all a bit chaotic, but we eventually passed the START line at 10.30pm.

The first few miles were great, everyone was full of spirits as we meandered through the city streets, we were soon at our first pitstop at the 4 miles marker. It was beautifully set up, with lots of candles, lit up tents and most importantly drinks, apples and toilets. Bec and I felt quite perky still so grabbed a bottle of water and an apple each and continued out of the city.

The next few miles passed well, and we were still nattering away, laughing and joking as we went. We stopped at he second pit stop at mile 6 for a quick toilet break….. and then we were back off again.

The mile between 8 and 9 was quiet possible the longest mile of my life. We had dropped our pace, it was cold and we seemed to be on a never-ending straight dual carriageway road. Bec and I hoped that we had missed the 9 marker and we were actually on our way to mile 10 – however, this was not the case!

As we hit the mile 9 marker we decided to up the pace with a treat of a sit down and snacks at the mile 10 marker. We were ecstatic when we saw the mile 10 marker in the distance! I have never been so pleased to see double figures! We sat on a wall and had bananas, nuts and raisins and lots of water, before getting back up on our feet – which were now so sore….. and starting the last 3 miles back to Manchester central.

As we walked those last few miles I needed to stop to go to the toilet again, and there was a pit stop at 11.5 mile marker. As we entered the pit stop, Bec waited for me as I started the queue to the loo. I suddenly came over all faint and felt really sick, so I sat on the floor. A lady in the queue ended up getting me a first aider, but after a few minutes on the floor, a drink, and a rescue Mars Bar from Bec I was feeling fine again.

We set off on the last mile and a half back though the city. It was really good to be back among familiar landmarks, and winding out way through the street, rather than just a bland dual carriageway!

As we came around the last corner, and Manchester Central was in full view, we were so pleased! I think Bec was more excited about the prospect of getting a medal, then the fact that we were actually at the finish.

As we passed under the finish line, it was really emotional. Thousands of people sitting around with their medals, all pleased that they were at the end of their Shine Night Walk.

It was now 4am, and Bec and I headed straight for the car for a few snacks and drinks to get going before the drive back to Leeds. After dropping Bec off as the sun was rising, students were making their way home from nights out. As I pulled up outside my house, I was really pleased to be home and more importantly, able to get into bed!

To see the pictures see here!

Hope you find it in your hearts, and pockets to donate.....

Love Iona X
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 101 - Miles 70-71

After a very successful weekend of jobs around the house and garden, Trina and I decided that a nice walk would be the perfect way to round off the weekend.

I am currently cat sitting for friends who are in New Zealand, so I am closer to the west of Leeds. We headed out to Otley Chevin, which is only a short drive from here, to re-do a walk which I love and that Trina and I did during the snow.

I expected there to be more people about, but as the sun was dropping in the sky, there were just the tail end of dog walkers, joggers and us! Spring is definitely here, the daffs and buds on the trees are coming out. There were great skies and views today...... a lovely walk!

Pictures here x

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 96 Part 3 - Mile 69

Tuesday nights is Mum's night to volunteer at a small charity shop in Mahon. She started doing it to improve her Spanish, and it has done that and made her lots of nice friends.

I decided that I should really have a blog entry of Mahon in the daylight. So, a couple of hours before Mum finished her shift and I had to catch my plane, Dad and I took a walk around the city taking pictures. I had already packed my 'big' camera, so was using my small waterproof camera.

A few viewing points out to the harbour, a visit to the church to look at the fresco's and a meander through the cobbled streets proved bountiful for pictures!

A quick coffee and it was time to collect mum en route to the airport.

Flight delayed by and hour, and I only got home at 2.30am! But a jolly lovely holiday I have had!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com