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

Day 273 - Miles 257-259

It has been such a lovely sunny day today, I made the effort to leave work on time, call Trina and go for a walk. She has a friend staying who didn't fancy coming out with us, so we walked, she had a bath and we took a take-away back for dinner!

We decided to walk our old jog route - not jogging today - not enough time to get changed to be honest, and both headed out in our work clothes. We did get a few strange looks as we were obviously looking a bit odd, both in short skirts and jumpers!

Lovely swans were frightening a cat, ducks, dogs, joggers, walkers and cyclists made up our walk today, along with chat about our various course, work, life and the universe.

We were both very thankful for the walk when we finished. Just nice to be able to get out there for a bit, get a bit of exercise, and a mini counselling session all rolled into one. Walking is so good for that!

A few nice shots here....

Home now, ready for a quick shower, pj's and bed!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 272 - Mile 256

This morning was dark, dreary and damn wet! I headed out just after 6.30 to get back into the the habit of doing some kind of exercise before work. I know it's good for me, I know it'll make me feel more energetic, but some mornings my warm bed still beats the noise of the wind outside and I snuggle back down for half hour.

So sleepy eyed I mustered the energy to go for a jog this morning. Just a mile around the park, but that was enough. I couldn't believe what a difference a week makes to how dark it was. It was still mild this morning (no coat) but there was plenty of drizzle!

See the pictures, full of street lights today, must try to get out more in the evenings and have some dramatic sunset shots!

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 269 - Mile 255

Yesterday was amazing, and strangely relaxing!

Trina and I had signed up for the Great Scottish Swim and after tho is was cancelled, we transferred our entries to the Great Salford Swim. Much closer to home, but perhaps not so beautiful!

Juli, Nick, Trina and I set off from home about 10.30 with picnic packed and full of breakfast ready for the day. Successfully following the instructions of how to get to the Quays in Salford we pull round the corner to see load of people on the road and in the water.... queue extreme giddiness on my part!

Up and up we drove in the multi story car park trying to find somewhere to park, but this did give up a good view down onto the start line. We headed down to the quay side where hundreds of people were gathered, cheering on their friends and family as they set off into the water in 200 people 'waves'.

Soon it was our time to get changed and ready for action. Checking in and a 10 min session in the acclimatisation section we were ready to go. A brief warm up on the side and a few words of encouragement and then we were off!!!

Steady into the water as there was quite a narrow entrance, and up the quay. I took my camera with me so tried to get some shots where possible. Juli and Nick followed up on the side of the quay, taking pictures of us swimming, and I was taking pictures of them! It's amazing to have such great friends to support you at these events. makes the whole day so much easier!

Corin, Jen, Harper and Aniq also met us at the finish line. It was really lovely to see them and have so many people cheering you the last few metres!

It was cold.... but not too cold.... it was hard swimming in the waves..... but not too hard and I really enjoyed it. Trina proclaimed that she would definitely do it again too when she got out..... maybe we'll have a bigger swim group next year... any offers???

After a lovely picnic - hot soup and sandwiches to warm us up was gratefully received!

What a lovely day, well organised and fantastic friends,

See the pictures here/, and click on the Donate button to the right please, for all our hard work, thanks!

Love Iona x
365mileisn365days@googlemail.com