Snow on the Pentlands 30/11/08
Proving the weather can make all the difference – Sunday was just outstanding: a covering of snow on the high tops, blue skies all morning and not too much wind. Brilliant.
Ben came round at 8. In the MORNING. I was up for it because the sun was out although its not my signature dish; early. However well worth it as we were up to Flotterstone in time for a spectacular run over the snowy hills. The car park was busy filling up and we bumped into Lucy who was just going for a smaller low level run today having been out for dozens of hours the day before.
As we climbed up Turnhouse it became evident we were in for a treat – there was a low lying cloud bank off to the left and everything was looking sparkling white and wintry. The warmth of the sun and getting going at a good pace made spirits rise and soon Ben was running downhill whooping and singing. We took a number of snaps and movies, which I have edited into a short film, and I think the opening scene, shot by Ben, is possibly about as good as running gets. And shortly after, note the big smile on Ben's face as he runs past.
Tim and JohnWe did all the high tops though I can't even remember going up Scald Law – possibly because I was yabbering away so much – before descending West Kip and meeting some bikers equally enjoying the perfect conditions. Ben had an energy bar with him, the sort they gave away at the Edinburgh Marathon. I didn't much care for them. He said they were an acquired taste. Maybe if you like acquiring the taste of cardboard. One of the bikers overheard and gave us both Clif Bars (crunchy peanut butter!). How good is that?! I put it down to the weather. I got chatting to Tim and John who said they weren't a club, just biking friends. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying the day out. Thanks for the Clif Bars guys.
We then followed the Drove Rd over to Hare Hill where we discussed ways of avoiding wet feet at the Cleugh. The running was so fine over there (on the film just as the shoogly bit is ending watch out for Ben's slow motion jump) that we forgot about avoiding the wet bits and soon we were crunching through the surface ice into the mud below. Sorry about the shoogly stuff in the film but as anyone who has tried to keep up with Ben knows: it ain't easy. Add to that a camera and turfy ground and its going to be unsteady. From the hill above the swamp we saw 2 runners approaching the stile and I thought “that looks like Amanda's orange bonnet.” It was, so we called out and descended to the swamp. It seemed to be frozen solid but a few steps into it and we were up to shins in very cold water. However meeting Amanda and Scott was recompense. Amanda apologised as she had just been saying how certain individuals couldn't get out their beds sharpish at the weekends. She also said to report that they (herself and Scott) of course were doing the high tops and not their usual round-the-reservoir-and-home job. (A likely story.) It was a happy coincidence to bump into them here as it was one of only 2 points our routes might cross. We parted company and trudged up Black Hill.
Over Bells Hill, then at the col we turned down towards the reservoir and back. I suspect Amanda and Scott would have taken longer as our route was more direct although steeper. And poor Scott reported his injury flared up before the run was over. Back to the car and a flask of hot lemon and peach, change of shoes (laces frozen solid) and home to look at the photos. Just in time to start making Christmas Cards.
Report pb
Photos pb and Ben
FILM HERE
