DRAYCOTE WATER 35 MILER - BLOODY HELL
AYE its me, I am back in town. Do not worry you are all safe except two. That Old Fettes Boy Tony Blair (he likes a war) Education, you know the next bit. I am getting my knowledge of life on these crazy missions. Went down on the Thursday night for a run on the Sunday. This was my shortest flight ever and also got a record for a bus journey. Coming back at Birmingham Airport late on Sunday night the engine on our plane had a problem so we had to get moved onto the plane next door, 30m away, but you are not allowed to walk on the Apron so we all had to get the bus. Anyway picked up a car thanks to Mr Avis and set off for base camp which was with a Sardinian Flaminco Dancing Lecturer who stays in Leamington Spa. A couple of whiskies the first night but no dancing.Friday was a cracking cold sunny day. Went for a walk on rising and within 60 meters found the Grand Union Canal with a bit of ice on top. There is a race along it from Birmingham to London, usually in May, 145 mile so it made my 35 miler appear a short jog. Another 40 meters and there was these posh flats, I think they were built by Aitchison Builders, somebody had placed a lion rampant across the whole living room window as a curtain. Even I do not do that. Spent the rest of the day doing a mini tour and visiting Stratford upon Avon. That’s the birthplace of Shakespeare and there are lots of thatched cottages and a general feeling of days gone by. Stuffed myself at a decent restaurant and washed it down with some white wine. I was amazed how rural the area was and no traffic jams. You are on the edge of the Cotswolds and the distinctive stone is used on a lot of the buildings and some of the subsidence was classic stuff. Friday night was spent in a small French restaurant that my Italian host wanted to try. Another bit of wine down the gorge. The interesting thing was a water colour on the wall. We quickly worked out it was one of the courts off the Lawnmarket, probably James Court. The proprietor, confirmed it was Edinburgh but could not understand how we knew. .He has never been to Edinburgh and we were the first people to spot it. Saturday was an Italian Bistro for lunch, then a visit to Warwick Castle. Weather was freezing but dry and I was thinking about the Carnethy 5 and the Battle of Roslin. This place is huge. Sat night stayed in but managed some port that you drink chilled, comes in small bottles - honest.
Race Day. It was raining but a bit milder. Start was 14 miles from Leamington so no probs there. We had a really strong turnout from the East of Scotland with Rosalyn Alexander, Pauline Walker, and Fiona Ramsay from Carnegie. Duncan Baker from HBT. The route is 7 laps around a reservoir all on tarmac. The funniest bit for me was on the 2nd lap when a women pushing a buggy asked “how many times to have to go round” I told her, the response was instant “Bloody Hell” Fair play to her she stayed to the end of the race in the rain and was at the finish line. We managed 3 prizes. The outstanding performance was Rosalyn who broke the course record for the ladies in 4hrs 10 mins. It was a hard graft. Thanks to Kenilworth Runners for running the event which is normally going to be tough due to the time of year.
Now it is about the next challenge. I am gutted the Speyside Way is cancelled and looking to Dumfries for the next bit of fun. Will the Fettes Boy be there? Saddam Hussain is trying to get leave to attend because he now realises the Mother of all Battles is about to take place between the Aitchison and Anderson Clans. The English Bird “I am from Darlo” (I am sure she is Scottish) recently lured Spiderman to Cammo Woods and put him out of action for 4 weeks. That boy is naïve. Spiderman is talking about putting her in the River Ness if she dares to go ahead. This is what club running is all about. Spiderman will need a PB by 20 mins to stand a chance, can he do it? Let the battle commence and Edinburgh's top female ultra runner Chippy Young be the referee.
Report and photo Planet Henry
