Day 136 - Miles 116-119

Well, after a busy week and weekend at work, I needed to get out and get a bit of exercise and fresh air. As I had a migraine most of the day a jog was out of teh question, so a walk it was. The sun was still shining when I left work on Sunday, so I roped Trina into coming for a walk and a pub dinner.

I had planned the walk to Armscliffe Cragg a couple of weeks ago, to do with friends who needed a pushchair friendly walk, but it never happened, so it was nice to do the walk finally.

We parked in Huby and walked up the hill towards the Cragg, making the most of the fact we were in the countryside and enjoying the sun (and wind!). When we arrived at the Cragg there were still lots of climbers clinging to the rocks, even in the wind.

We had a little climb to the top - what a view! - you can see a 360 panorama of the best Yorkshire has to offer from there! It was wonderful! Definitely blew away the cobwebs.

On the way back down to the road, we made friends with some cows..... lots of pictures here.

What a great way to finish off a really good weekend!

Oh and I tried out my new camera bag - it was perfect, thanks Juli, Nick and Rowena!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 130 - Miles 113-115

Trina and I had our jogging date early this week because we ended up having fish and chips after getting very cold doing a car boot yesterday. Obviously fish and chips were just what our cold bodies needed.

My car is having it's MOT so after Trina picked me up we went straight out to the canal.

Damn it is cold..... we seem to be having cold weather again.... and there I was thinking it was nearly summer dress weather! So after putting on as many layers as I could, we jogged. Actually as soon as we started we both got warm quite quickly and jogged, yet again, for further than we did last week. Although my legs ache a bit, they don't ache and much, and I don't have blisters from my trainers - hurrah!

We did a couple of short sprint sessions on the way back to spice things up a bit - made us laugh if nothing else!

Unfortunately, I didn't charge the camera before we went out so there are a few photos here.

Love Iona
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 127 - Mile 112

Mandi and I haven't swam together for a while! Mandi has been religiously going, as she is at the pool due to Louis diving anyway and I have just had such a hectic social life I have been slacking!

I was tasked with counting the lengths, which was good really actually as it meant that I could set the pace. I found it hard to swim after not properly swimming for such a long time, must get to the pool more often. Mandi and I swam a mile and Mandi's daughter Ellie swam..... well I'm not sure how far - maybe 4 lengths!?

With the variety of swimmers at the pool tonight, from the man "paddle steaming" up and down the pool, to the man who seemed to need to use the whole lane to keep going, it was an interesting swim tonight.

I was pleased to be finishing our swim and get up to watch Louis diving. I even managed to get a few sneaky shots! See here!

Not sure what the weekend holds yet, but I hope you have a great time!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 126 - Miles 110-11

Due to the speediness of Helena and my still lack of ability to jog continually, I decided to set off before Helena and she could catch me up. Not only did she catch me up, she over took me and got home before me!

It was easier to jog on my own, but not as much fun. It's easier to breathe and keep a rhythm , but no laughing or chatting..... hummmmmm..... maybe I should alternate jogging with people and on my own?

I thought it was worth taking some pictures of the blossom before it all gets blown away, and I really love the STOP, GO pictures that I took.

Take a look here!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 125 - Miles 107-109

Trina and I have set up a Wednesday jogging date. As we are running the Race for Life in a few weeks with Helena, we really need to get our jogging up to standard.

As grey clouds loomed tonight we parked the car by the canal and set off. Trina was amazed at how far I was prepared to jog before needing the walking rests that we have. So between us, we picked targets in the distance to run to, pushing each other when we were lagging and we think we probably jogged over half of the 3 miles we did tonight. We jogged for longer distances and jogged back, as well as to the bridge.

There was not as many people out tonight - and to Trina and my disappointment the hot man wasn't jogging tonight. I think this was the only reason Trina had agreed to come jogging tonight. The weather only got worse, with spitting rain for most of our jog. We did pass some fishermen - hardy people I think, and our new fan club - some strange men over the other side of the canal. It keeps us going though and makes us laugh, so it can't be bad!

We did see a beautiful swan on it's nest, right by the canal towpath. Amazing! Some pictures here...not the best set as the camera struggled in the rain, but still worth a look.

Off jogging with Helena again tomorrow...... hope my feet will toughen up soon as these blisters are not fun!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 122 - Miles 105-6

"Ooooooh, I do like to be beside the seaside......!

Rowena and I had decided ages ago that we needed to go to the seaside when she came to visit and as everybody says just how lovely Whitby is, we decided that this was probably our best destination.

After a rather adventurous journey up to Whitby, trying to stay as close to the coast as we could, we arrived in Whitby in time for a picnic lunch on the Marina. It was wild and windy, but we stuck it out, like many other people enjoying the Bank holiday weekend.

We walked along the front and down to the beach where we decided that a stroll along the sand was needed. Even though it was cold and very windy, there were still people out walking and playing, but no-one in the water....... we decided that after our dip yesterday, a plunge into the ferocious ocean was not necessary today!

We walked down the beach, peering in rock pools, and back along the promenade, passing the famous beach huts and the cliff lift..... yes you read right, there is a lift from the bottom of the cliff to the top - Amazing! We decided, as we were meant to be getting some miles in, that getting the lift up wold be cheating!

As we reached the top of the steps to the top of the cliff, it started to rain and the brolly kept turning inside out! As we got to the corner by the Whitby Whale bones, we decided that a tea shop was just what we needed to hide from the rain. I had wanted to go to La Rosa, but not knowing quite where it was we just headed for the nearest Tea Room. Low and behold, it was La Rosa! Wonderful!

We were greeted with such loveliness, served amazing tea and scones, in their Mad hatter Tea Room, exploring all the wonderful trinkets, furniture and ornaments that have been collected.
See the photos for today - they are a great set.
We walked back down the back streets to the car and off we went over the moors to home! What a nice weekend Rowena and I have had!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 121 - Miles 103-4

One of my bestest friends Rowena is up from London, so we were heading out into the dales today for many reasons.

1) I had an appointment with the Pub to arrange my birthday party
2) Rowena thinks of coming here as her country retreat
3) River swimming has been too long go
4) Helena, Graeme, Calum and Samuel had wanted to join us for a picnic and walk
5) I just LOVE IT!!!!

We headed up to Appletreewick to the Craven Arms pub to meet Mark for menu discussion and to look over the Cruck Barn etc. On the way we had to rescue a lamb that had found it's way out of the field but not back in again. We felt this was necessary as it kept headbutting the gate! Check us out - country rangers!

Helena, Graeme, Calum, and Samuel arrived in time for us to have a walk down to the river and into the woods. The bluebells are out so I had to take some pictures for Mum who loves them! As it was raining a little, we stopped in the woods to have our picnic before moving down river where Rowena and I could have a quick dip in the river, and Calum could play football.

What a lovely, bracing dip we had! Even though the river is quite shallow at this point, there was still quiet a current and I was generally swimming in the same place, unless I really put a sprint on!

Jumping out to the promise of Hot Chocolate and cake, I felt great. I don't know what it is about the river, but it makes your skin so smooth! Quick dry and clothes back on, warming back up on the walk back to the cars, before off to the Buffers Cafe - where they have model railways upstairs. Obviously my favourite part of the day was the river, but Calum's was definitely the sight of hundreds of model trains! Bless him!

To see today's pictures see here!


Hope you have all have a lovely May Day!

Love Iona X
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

p.s. you have no idea how many times I write gogglemail!!!!